Is this a Hadith?
“Cats do not invalidate the prayer because they are one of the things that are useful in the house”- Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
Answer
Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) has recorded this as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 369, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 254/255)
This exact narration has also been reported as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (rahimahullah) has preferred this version. i.e. As the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Refer: Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 828-829)
A shorter version of the Hadith with the words ‘The cat is regarded to be from the useful things of the house’ has been reported as a Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith: 103, Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 8647)
Note: I have merely answered your question regarding the authenticity of the Hadith. This should therefore not be viewed as a Fiqh ruling. Kindly contact a Mufti/Darul Ifta for a Fiqh ruling.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar