Question:-
Are we permitted to keep a parrot whose wings have been clipped, in a cage or, should it be left free to fly around in the house?
Answer:-
There is no harm in adopting a parrot to attain some sort of enjoyment and comfort from it. The Ulama have permitted keeping the bird in a cage with the proviso that the bird is fed regularly and the cage is big enough for the bird to move around freely. However, the bird should not be caged with the intention of punishing it.
لكن في فتاوى العلامة قارئ الهداية: سئل هل يجوز حبس الطيور المفردة وهل يجوز عتقها، وهل في ذلك ثواب، وهل يجوز قتل الوطاويط لتلويثها حصر المسجد بخرئها الفاحش؟ فأجاب: يجوز حبسها للاستئناس بها، وأما إعتاقها فليس فيه ثواب، وقتل المؤذي منها ومن الدواب جائز اهـ.
قلت: ولعل الكراهة في الحبس في القفص، لأنه سجن وتعذيب دون غيره كما يؤخذ من مجموع ما ذكرنا وبه يحصل التوفيق فتأمل. (الدر المختار ص401 ج6)
It is not permissible to clip the wings of the parrot. In conclusion, the parrot may be left free to fly around in the house, or kept in a cage as explained above. However, there is no permission to clip the wings of the parrot. If the wings were already clipped and you later adopted the parrot (with clipped wings), then you will not be liable for the actions of the previous owner.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 18 Shabaan 1443 / 21 March 2022
