Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
In Islam, keeping birds in cages is not considered haram if they are treated with kindness and provided with proper care. The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings encourage mercy and compassion toward all living beings.
Examining this issue, the prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh `Abdul-Bari Az-Zamzami, member of the Moroccan scholar’s Association, answers:
Understanding the Islamic Ruling on Keeping Birds in Cages
Caging birds and offering food to them and treating them kindly is not only permissible, but also recommended.
A Muslim will receive a reward from Allah for that as long as he has made the intention that he is doing this for the sake of Allah.
What the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Said About Caring for Animals
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “In every living liver (i.e. living being), there is a reward.” (Al-Bukhari)
In another hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “And if you show mercy to a sheep, Allah will shower mercy on you.” (Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)
Keeping birds and offering food to them may preserve their lives, since they are safe from predatory animals.
It is also recorded that there was a boy at the time of the Prophet called Abu `Umair and he used to keep a small bird with him all the time. Whenever he saw his family in the house, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to call this boy, smile at him and say: “What has happened to An-Nughair (the name of the bird)?”
Some scholars used this hadith and deduced about 400 benefits from it. This behavior of the Prophet indicates that it is permissible to keep birds at home and offer them food.
Gain more insights by following the fatwas below:
- Can Muslims Keep Cats?
- Euthanasia for Cats in Islam
- Can I Pray after Touching a Dog?
- Is It Permissible in Islam to Keep a Kitten as a Pet?
- Prophet Muhammad’s Kindness to Animals
Allah Almighty knows best.
