In Islamic teachings, perspectives on animals such as dogs, cats, and lizards often generate thoughtful discussions due to widespread misconceptions among both Muslims and non-Muslims. Terms like “forbidden” or “impure” are frequently misinterpreted as expressions of disdain for certain animals, whereas they actually pertain to ritual purity, hygiene, and ethical considerations. This article provides an in-depth exploration of Islamic views on dogs, cats, and lizards, integrating religious law, additional Quranic verses and hadiths, expanded scientific evidence, and historical-cultural contexts to offer a comprehensive understanding.
Dogs in Islam: Balancing Ritual Purity and Compassion
In many Islamic legal traditions, such as the Shafi‘i and Maliki schools, dogs are classified as ritually impure, particularly their saliva, which is considered mughallazah (heavily impure). If a dog’s saliva contacts an object, Islamic law prescribes washing the item seven times, with one wash involving soil. This practice, rooted in the concept of thaharah (ritual cleanliness), ensures the validity of worship acts like prayer or ablution. Importantly, this designation does not imply that dogs are inherently evil or despised but is instead a procedural requirement for maintaining spiritual purity.
A relevant hadith, narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, supports this ruling:
“If a dog drinks from a vessel, purify it by washing it seven times, one of which should be with soil.”
— Sahih Bukhari, Book 4, Hadith 173
This guidance underscores the focus on ritual hygiene rather than animosity toward dogs.
Ethical and Moral Considerations
Islam places a strong emphasis on compassion for all living creatures, including dogs. A well-known hadith, recorded by Bukhari and Muslim, illustrates this principle:
“A man was walking and became very thirsty. He found a well, climbed down, drank, and came out. He saw a dog panting and eating mud out of thirst. The man said, ‘This dog is as thirsty as I was.’ He went back down, filled his shoe with water, and gave it to the dog. Allah appreciated his deed and forgave him.”
— Sahih Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 646
This narrative highlights that acts of kindness toward dogs are rewarded, reflecting Islam’s broader ethic of mercy.
Additionally, the Quran emphasizes compassion for all creation:
وَمَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُمْ ۚ مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
“There is no creature on earth nor any bird flying with its wings except that they are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book. Then, they will all be gathered to their Lord.”
— The Holy Quran, Ch. Al-An’am (The Grazing Livestock), Verse: 38
This verse underscores the value of animals as part of God’s creation, deserving respect and care.
While keeping dogs indoors is generally discouraged to maintain ritual purity, mistreating or neglecting them is strictly prohibited. Islamic teachings advocate treating dogs with kindness, especially when they serve practical purposes like guarding or hunting.
Historical and Cultural Context
Historically, Muslim societies did not engage in the mass extermination of dogs, unlike medieval Europe, where superstitions and fears of rabies led to widespread culling. Read: Poverty, Mad Dogs and Culling: Dogs and Entitlement to Poor Relief in England, c. 1750–1834. In Islamic regions like Andalusia and Damascus, dogs were commonly employed to guard orchards, protect livestock, or assist in hunting. The Quran references dogs positively in the story of the People of the Cave:
وَتَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌ ۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمْ ذَاتَ الْيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ الشِّمَالِ وَكَلْبُهُم بَاسِطٌ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِالْوَصِيدِ ۚ لَوِ اطَّلَعْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَوَلَّيْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِرَارًا وَلَمُلِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ رُعْبًا
“You would have thought they were awake, though they were asleep. And We turned them to the right and to the left, while their dog stretched its forelegs at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would have surely turned away in flight and been filled with fear of them. ”
— The Holy Quran, Ch. Al-Kahf (The Cave), Verse: 18
This portrayal positions the dog as a loyal companion in a righteous narrative, not a symbol of moral impurity.
Medical and Scientific Perspective
Modern research provides insight into the hygienic concerns surrounding dogs. Dog saliva can harbor microorganisms such as Capnocytophaga Canimorsus and Pasteurella Multocida, which may cause severe infections in humans, particularly if they enter open wounds. Read: Review of bacterial and viral zoonotic infections transmitted by dogs. The risk of transmitting Salmonella or the rabies virus further justifies avoiding direct contact with dog saliva. A 2018 study in Veterinary Microbiology highlighted that up to 74% of dogs may carry Pasteurella species in their oral cavities, posing a risk in unhygienic conditions. Read: Pasteurella multocida occurs in a high frequency in the saliva of pet dogs.
The Islamic practice of washing with soil has scientific merit, as soil contains actinobacteria with antibacterial properties. Additionally, a 2020 study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science noted that while dogs can transmit zoonotic diseases, proper hygiene practices significantly mitigate these risks, aligning with Islamic ritual washing protocols.
Cats in Islam: Symbols of Compassion and Cleanliness
A cat lying down in the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/jWqltWz0tF
— Posts Of Cats (@PostsOfCats) June 1, 2025
In contrast to dogs, cats are not considered ritually impure in Islam. A hadith narrated by Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi states:
“Cats are not impure; they are among those [creatures] that move freely among you.”
— Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 1, Hadith 75
This ruling confirms that water a cat has drunk from remains clean and does not invalidate ablution, reflecting the biological and behavioral differences between cats and other animals.
The Quran further supports kindness to animals:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةًۭ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ
“And We have not sent you, except as a mercy to all worlds. ”
— The Holy Quran, Ch. Al-Anbiya (The Prophets), Verse: 107
This verse underscores the Prophet’s role as a model of compassion, extending to animals like cats.
The Story of the Prophet and Muezza
A popular story, though not found in authentic hadiths, recounts that the Prophet Muhammad cut a piece of his robe to avoid disturbing a sleeping cat named Muezza. While lacking a strong chain of narration, this tale aligns with authentic teachings, such as the hadith:
“A woman was punished in Hell because she confined a cat until it died of hunger.”
— Sahih Bukhari, Book 56, Hadith 689
This hadith emphasizes the sin of cruelty to cats and the importance of compassionate treatment.
Medical and Scientific Perspective
Scientifically, cat saliva contains enzymes like lysozyme and lactoferrin, which exhibit antibacterial properties. Read: Killing of gram-negative bacteria by lactoferrin and lysozyme.. This supports the Islamic view of cats as cleaner animals. A 2021 study in Veterinary Research Communications found that cats’ grooming habits, where they lick their fur, reduce the presence of harmful bacteria on their bodies, minimizing hygiene risks. However, cats can carry Toxoplasma Gondii, a parasite transmissible to humans, though the risk is low with proper hygiene. These findings reinforce the Islamic perspective that cats pose fewer hygienic concerns than dogs.
Historical Context
Cats have held a revered place in Islamic history. During the medieval Islamic era, endowments (waqf) were established in cities like Damascus and Istanbul to care for stray cats, a practice that continues in modern Turkey, where cats are commonly found in mosques and public spaces. This tradition reflects Islam’s emphasis on compassion and communal responsibility toward animals.
Lizards in Islam: Managing Pests with a Balanced Approach
Certain hadiths describe lizards (wazagh) as potentially harmful. A saying narrated by Muslim states:
“Kill the lizard, for it blew on the fire of Abraham.”
— Sahih Muslim, Book 26, Hadith 5563
While this hadith encourages killing lizards, their ritual impurity is debated. In some Shafi‘i interpretations, lizards without flowing blood are not considered impure if they fall into water. However, lizard droppings are often deemed impure by scholars, requiring cleaning. The recommendation to kill lizards is primarily due to their potential as pests, not moral condemnation.
Medical and Scientific Perspective
Modern research confirms that lizards can carry Salmonella, which may contaminate food or surfaces. Read: Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Geckos. A 2022 study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that house lizards (Hemidactylus Frenatus) can harbor Escherichia Coli and other pathogens, emphasizing the need for hygiene in areas they frequent. These findings align with Islamic recommendations to maintain cleanliness in spaces like kitchens, where lizards may pose a risk.
Social and Cultural Context
In some Muslim communities in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, mass killing of lizards has been practiced, influenced by hadiths, local rulings, and cultural norms. However, modern scholars advocate for balanced approaches, such as using sanitation to prevent lizards from accessing food areas, rather than excessive extermination that could disrupt ecosystems. This aligns with the Quranic principle of maintaining balance:
وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ
“And He raised the heaven and established the balance. ”
— The Holy Quran, Ch. Ar-Rahman (The Merciful), Verse: 7
Conclusion
Islamic perspectives on dogs, cats, and lizards reflect a nuanced balance between ritual purity, compassion for living creatures, and hygienic caution. Dogs, though ritually impure in certain contexts, are valued as part of God’s creation, deserving kindness, as supported by Quranic verses and hadiths. Cats, free from ritual impurity, symbolize compassion and cleanliness, with scientific evidence reinforcing their hygienic nature. Lizards, viewed as potential pests, are managed rationally, with modern research supporting hygiene-focused approaches. The integration of religious teachings, historical practices, and contemporary scientific findings underscores the depth and relevance of Islamic principles in fostering ethical and practical interactions with animals.
- Dogs are considered ritually impure (specifically their saliva) in many Islamic legal traditions, requiring items touched by their saliva to be washed seven times, including once with soil, to maintain ritual purity for acts like prayer.
- Islam emphasizes compassion for all creatures, including dogs, as evidenced by a hadith (Bukhari and Muslim) where a man was forgiven by God for giving water to a thirsty dog, highlighting the value of kindness to animals.
- Historically, dogs were used in Muslim societies for guarding and hunting, and the Quran chapter Al-Kahf (The Cave) verse 18 references a dog in the story of the People of the Cave, portraying it as part of an honorable narrative.
- Modern research indicates dog saliva can carry bacteria like Capnocytophaga Canimorsus and Pasteurella Multocida, supporting the hygienic basis for ritual cleansing, with soil containing actinobacteria that have antibacterial properties.
- Cats are not considered ritually impure in Islam; a hadith (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi) states they are clean, and water they drink from remains pure for ritual use, reflecting their biological and behavioral cleanliness.
- A popular story, though not from a verified hadith, describes Prophet Muhammad cutting his robe to avoid disturbing a sleeping cat, aligning with the Quranic principle of mercy and compassion for animals, see chapter Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) verse 107.
- Scientific studies show cat saliva contains enzymes like lysozyme and lactoferrin with antibacterial properties, and their grooming habits reduce hygiene risks, supporting their favorable status in Islamic law.
- Historically, cats were cherished in Islamic culture, with endowments in cities like Damascus and Istanbul to care for stray cats, a tradition that continues in places like Turkey.
- Some hadiths (e.g., Muslim) describe lizards as harmful pests, with recommendations to kill them, though their ritual impurity is debated, with some scholars noting that lizards without flowing blood may not be impure.
- Modern research confirms lizards can carry bacteria like Salmonella, which can contaminate food or surfaces, supporting Islamic recommendations for hygiene and caution in areas they frequent.
- Cultural practices in some Muslim communities involve killing lizards due to hadiths and local traditions, but modern scholars advocate for balanced approaches like improved sanitation to manage their presence without excessive culling.
Dogs in Islam
Cats in Islam
Lizards in Islam
