Answer:
To keep a snake as a pet is not permissible. Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has commanded the killing of snakes. (Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim). Mirqat Vol. 7 Pg: 712 [Maktaba Haqqaaniyya ] Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has also discouraged keeping dogs as pets ( Mirqaat Vol. 7 Pg. 697) To keep harmful animals or animals deemed impure in the Shariah eg. pigs , as pets would not be permissible. Other animals eg: cats, sheep, goats, birds, fish etc. are permissible to keep as pets. and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ebrahim Desai
