Feeding animals kept as pets

Question:-

The wild cat in my backyard gave birth to kittens. I wish to keep the kittens for my children, however, the kittens won’t sleep in the house. Will I be responsible for giving the kittens food if I keep them, or can I just let them go and find their own food. I don’t want to be sinful if I decide to keep them and I can’t give them food everyday. Jazakallahu Khair

Answer:-

If you keep the kittens locked within the confines of your home (without allowing them to fend for themselves), then it will be your responsibility to feed them. If one keeps an animal locked in the home and does not feed it, then such an act will be tantamount to oppression as understood from the narration of Bukhari Shareef:

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: “A woman was entered into Jahannam because of a cat which she tied up and did not feed.” [Bukhari]

However, if the animal is left free (to roam about) and finds its own food, then one will be not liable to provide for the animal, although it will be better to provide for it.

قَوْلُهُ وَأَمَّا لِلِاسْتِئْنَاسِ فَمُبَاحٌ) قَالَ فِي الْمُجْتَبَى رَامِزًا: لَا بَأْسَ بِحَبْسِ الطُّيُورِ وَالدَّجَاجِ فِي بَيْتِهِ، وَلَكِنْ يَعْلِفُهَا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ إرْسَالِهَا فِي السِّككَ (شامي ج ٦ ص ١١٦))

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 30 Rajab 1444 / 21 February 2023