I would like to know if it is permissible to keep a Tarantula as a pet?
I know that spiders are thought of as very positively in Islam. I have heard that they have helped the Prophet (SAW) when being pursued by the enemy and also that dreams with large spiders usually have a positive meaning.
The Tarantula in question is a ‘Chilean Rose’ variety that are common household pets and are described as being quite docile and suitable for children. They are usually harmless and non-aggressive and their bite is non-toxic to humans (very rarely bite). The bite itself is no more harmful than a ‘peck’ from a bird or scratch from a cat.
They are, however, fed on a diet of live insects (crickets).
Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem
Respected questioner, Islam has taught us to take care of the creatures of Allah. If one wants to keep a pet then they shall be rewarded if they are looked after properly, however if they are neglected then the punishment is severe as is evident in many Ahadeeth. A spider is an insect, which is not classed as “najis” (impure) and as you have mentioned the spider in question (Chilean Rose) is harmless thus keeping it as a pet would be permissible, however as people have a natural disliking for them it would be best to avoid keeping them. ——————————————————————————————– Allamah Kasani states in Badaai-AL-Sana’ii; (وَأَمَّا) الَّذِي يَعِيشُ فِي الْبَرِّ فَأَنْوَاعٌ ثَلَاثَةٌ: مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ دَمٌ أَصْلًا، وَمَا لَيْسَ لَهُ دَمٌ سَائِلٌ، وَمَا لَهُ دَمٌ سَائِلٌ مِثْلُ الْجَرَادِ وَالزُّنْبُورِ وَالذُّبَابِ وَالْعَنْكَبُوتِ وَالْعَضَّابَةِ وَالْخُنْفُسَاءِ وَالْبُغَاثَةِ وَالْعَقْرَبِ. It states in Al Mowsoo’ah Al Fiqhiyyah; النوع الحادي عشر : الحشرات : It states in Kitaab AL Fatawa; اگر كسي جانور كى تفريح طبع كے طور پر پرورش كى جائے اور اس كى راحت كا خيال ركهـا جائے تو اس ميں كچهـ مضائقة نہيں And Allah knows best ————————————– |