I have been in dispute with my friend about his male cat , i advised him to castrate the cat for it own wellbeing. He has refused due to his religious beliefs, i wish you to clarify this issue.
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh
Islam is not a Religion merely consisting of rituals and customs; rather, it is a complete system governing and guiding every sphere of our life. Islam advocates peace, harmony and stability in all spectrums, whether affecting human, animal or even marine life. Hence, all creation, be it the animals, birds, cats, dogs, fish, etc. being the creation of the Almighty Allah and part of our inter-dependent eco system, also deserve and in fact, have a right to enjoy and experience a peaceful harmonious lifestyle, one which would be advantageous to their well being.
It is for this reason that Islam allows animals to be castrated but only to the point where it is of sound benefit to the animal or to those around, or to dispel harm which may be of detriment to others. However, the benefits and dispelling of harm should be of a sound nature otherwise, castration is totally impermissible according to Islamic Law.
Examples of where castration is beneficial and practically endorsed by the Shariah is the case of domesticated animals such as, sheep, cattle, etc. Castrating of these animals enhances the growth and wholesomeness of the animal’s meat. Other reasons for permitting castration would be to prevent procreation, curtailing it developing aggressive, violent and vicious behavior or to even it prevent them contracting deadly diseases. [1]
(Raddul Muhtār Vol.6, Pg.388, HM Saeed; Hāshiyatut Tahtāwi Alad Durril Mukhār Vol.4, Pg.195, Al Maktabatul Arabiyyah, Qwetā)
We hope that we have answered your query unambiguously. May the Almighty allow us to value and care for human as well as animal life, Āmīn.
And Allāh Ta῾āla Knows Best
Wassalāmu ῾alaykum
Ml. Zeyad Danka,
Student Dārul Iftā
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Dārul Iftā, Madrasah In῾āmiyyah
[1] (و) جاز (خصاء البهائم) حتى الهرة… (الدر المختار , كتاب الحظر و الاباحة , فصل فى البيع) . ( قَوْلُهُ وَجَازَ خِصَاءُ الْبَهَائِمِ ) عَبَّرَ فِي الْهِدَايَةِ بِالْإِخْصَاءِ ، وَالصَّوَابُ مَا هُنَا كَمَا فِي النِّهَايَةِ وَهُوَ نَزْعُ الْخُصْيَةِ ، وَيُقَالُ : خَصِيٌّ وَمَخْصِيٌّ ( قَوْلُهُ قِيلَ وَالْفَرَسُ ) ذَكَرَ شَمْسُ الْأَئِمَّةِ الْحَلْوَانِيُّ أَنَّهُ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ عِنْدَ أَصْحَابِنَا ، وَذَكَرَ شَيْخُ الْإِسْلَامِ أَنَّهُ حَرَامٌ ط ( قَوْلُهُ وَقَيَّدُوهُ ) أَيْ جَوَازُ خِصَاءِ الْبَهَائِمِ بِالْمَنْفَعَةِ وَهِيَ إرَادَةُ سِمَنِهَا أَوْ مَنْعُهَا عَنْ الْعَضِّ بِخِلَافِ بَنِي آدَمَ فَإِنَّهُ يُرَادُ بِهِ الْمَعَاصِي فَيَحْرُمُ أَفَادَهُ الأتقاني عَنْ الطَّحَاوِيِّ . (الرد المحتار , كتاب الحظر و الاباحة , فصل فى البيع) . (وَقَيَّدُوهُ بالمنفعة) اى أو دفع المضرة , قال فى الهندية بعد ذكر خصاء الخيل وأما فى غيره من البهائم فلا بأس به اذا كان فيه منفعة وأما اذا لم منفعة أو دفع ضرر فهو حرام كذا فى الذخيرة . و عللوا جواز الخصاء بأن فيه تطييبا للحم و ترك النكاح و النزو . (حاشية الطحطاوى على الدر المختار , كتاب الحظر و الاباحة , فصل فى البيع)