Can You Perform Ablution with Water Drunk by a Cat? The Islamic Ruling Explained
Cats hold a respected place in Islamic tradition. However, the ruling regarding water drunk by a cat—commonly referred to as “cat leftovers” in fiqh terminology—has been discussed extensively in classical jurisprudence.
This article examines the hadith narrations and the opinions of major scholars, particularly within the Hanafi school, to determine whether performing ablution with such water is permissible or merely disliked (makruh).
In a hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The cat is a predatory animal.” (Ahmed b. Hanbal, Musnad 2/442; Darekutni, Sunan, Taharat, 1/69; Zeylei, Nasbu’r-Raye, 1/127.) It is one of the animals whose meat is not eaten. This hadith indicates that the water a cat drinks is impure. Indeed, the water that predatory animals drink is impure. This is because predatory animals eat carrion. Cats, whether domesticated or wild, eat carrion. Tahawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that since the meat of a cat is haram, the water it drinks is makruh. Kerhi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that since cats eat carrion, their mouths are usually contaminated with filth, so the water they drink is makruh. There are many hadiths regarding the water a cat drinks. Here, we will share many hadiths with you and, God willing, reach a conclusion regarding the ruling on the water a cat drinks. In another hadith regarding the water a cat drinks, the Prophet (saw) said:
“The water a cat drinks is not unclean. Because the cat is one of the animals that roam around you.” (Muwatta, 1/60; Abdurrazzaq, Musannaf, 1/101; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, V/296, 303; Abu Dawud, Tahara 38; Tirmidhi, Tahara 69; Nasa’i, Tahara 54; Ibn Majah, Taharat 32; Ibn Huzeyme, Sahih, 1/54; Ibn Hibban, Sahih IV/114; Hakim, Mustadrak, 1/263; Bayhaqi, es-sünenü’l-kübra, 1/245; 1/130). The hadith indicates that the cat’s leftovers are not considered unclean. Due to cats being close to humans, it is impossible to avoid them.
Hakim al-Shahid al-Mervezi states the following regarding the water a cat drinks: “It is more pleasing to me to perform ablution with water other than that.”
According to Imam Abu Hanifa, one of the imams of the Hanafi school of thought, and the two imams (Imam Muhammad and Imam Abu Yusuf), regarding the water drunk by a cat, they said the following: In al-Jamiu’s-Saghir, it is stated that this water is makruh. This is the opinion of Abu Hanifa and Imam Muhammad. The evidence for this is the hadith narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The vessel that a cat has licked should be washed once” (Tirmidhi, Taharat 68; Hakim, Mustadrak, 1/264; Darakutni, Sunan, 1/64; Bayhaqi, al-Sunan al-Kubra, 1/247). Imam Abu Yusuf’s opinion differs from that of the other imams. Imam Abu Yusuf cited a hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) as evidence, stating that there is no harm in the water she drank. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The Prophet (saw) would bend over a vessel full of water and bring it close to the cat to drink, then he would perform ablution with the remaining water.” (Abu Dawud, Taharat 38; Ibn Majah, Taharat 32; Ibn Huzeyme, Sahih, 1/54; Darakutni, Sunan, 1/69,70; Abu Nuaym, Hilyat al-Awliya, IX/308; Bayhaqi, al-Sunan al-Kubra, 1/246; Zayla’i, Nasb al-Raya, 1/126; Haythami, Majma’ al-Zawaid, 1/506).
To see how rulings differ among various schools of thought in Islamic law, you may also take a look at our article titled “What Is Hidanah? Who Gets Child Custody After Divorce in Islam?”.
As a result, some hadiths state that water drunk by a cat is impure, while Aisha’s (may Allah be pleased with her) narration states that water drunk by a cat is pure. In this case, we have decided that it is makruh by applying both hadiths. Therefore, while it is permissible to perform ablution with water drunk by a cat, it is makruh. Cat meat is not eaten, and the bowl from which a cat drinks is washed once. Let us not forget that consistently performing a disliked act can become forbidden. Allah knows best regarding these rulings.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does “cat leftovers” mean in Islamic law?
It refers to water that a cat has drunk from or licked.
Is water drunk by a cat considered impure?
Some hadiths suggest impurity, while others state it is not impure.
Is it permissible to perform ablution with such water?
According to the Hanafi school, it is permissible but considered makruh (disliked).
How many times should a vessel licked by a cat be washed?
Some narrations mention washing it once.
Source: Imam Serahsin’s book Mabsut.
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