Question:-
Are we permitted to keep a fox?
Answer:-
From the information that we have gathered, it seems that one would generally adopt a fox as a pet and not on the basis of necessity as in the case of a dog, where the animal could either be used for hunting, security etc.
We discourage one from adopting a fox as a pet on the basis that it contains impurity within its mouth, although we haven’t found a clear-cut ruling in the books of Fiqh prohibiting one from adopting it as a pet. When the need of security can be fulfilled by keeping a watch-dog (which Shari’ah has permitted for security reasons), there is no need for keeping a fox. As the impurity of its mouth is similar to that of a dog’s saliva, then the fox touching the clothing will cause the clothing to become impure.
وَإِنْ كان في كُمِّهِ ثَعْلَبٌ أو جَرْوُ كَلْبٍ لَا تَجُوزُ صَلَاتُهُ لِأَنَّ سُؤْرَهُ نَجَسٌ (البحر الرائق ص244 ج1)
Secondly, the Mashaaikh have written that by remaining in the company of a righteous and pious person his good will eventually rub onto one, and by remaining in the company of evil people, their evil will also be transferred. This is not only restricted to human beings but even extends over to animals. According to researchers (Allah alone knows best!), the fox is known to be a cunning, sly animal, which sneaks around and steals things. These are qualities not worthy of praise and in fact undesired by any Muslim. By remaining in the company of such an animal all the time, these qualities will eventually rub onto a person. This is another reason for discouraging one from adopting the said animal as a pet.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 15 Shabaan 1443 / 18 March 2022
