Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I recently hit a cat while driving and I am sure that it died. I feel horrible that I caused Allah’s creation pain. I realize that this is may be an odd question, but I would like to know what my responsibility in this situation is.
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.
If you hurt or killed the cat by genuine accident–without negligence or fault–then it is sufficient to feel bad about what happened. However, if you were negligent or otherwise at fault for the harm to the animal, then you need to sincerely repent–because hurting or harming animals without need or benefit is sinful. [Lakhnawi, Umdat al-Ri`aya; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade hurting animals. [Bukhari, from Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him)]
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani