Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) further said, (Allah knows better) Allah said (to the woman), 'You neither fed it nor watered when you locked it up, nor did you set it free to eat the vermin of the earth.' "
Hadith Commentary: The Case of the Confined Cat
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (2365) serves as a severe warning regarding the rights of animals in Islam and the consequences of neglecting them.
The Gravity of the Sin
The woman's punishment in Hell for her treatment of the cat demonstrates that cruelty to animals constitutes a major sin in Islamic law. The severity stems from her complete neglect of the creature's basic needs while having full control over its welfare.
Scholars note that the torture mentioned refers to her eternal punishment in the Hereafter, indicating the magnitude of this transgression in Allah's sight.
Threefold Negligence
Allah's statement enumerates three specific failures: not providing food, not providing water, and not releasing it to fend for itself. This comprehensive neglect shows complete disregard for the creature's right to sustenance and survival.
Classical commentators emphasize that each of these neglects constitutes a separate violation of the animal's rights, compounding the sin.
Legal Implications
Islamic jurists derive from this hadith that animals have inviolable rights to proper care, including adequate food and water. The owner's responsibility extends to either providing sustenance or enabling the animal to obtain it naturally.
This ruling applies to all domesticated animals under human care, establishing the principle of responsible stewardship over Allah's creation.
Spiritual Lessons
The narration underscores that mercy toward animals is an essential aspect of faith, while cruelty may lead to divine wrath. It reminds believers that accountability extends to all creatures under their care.
Scholars conclude that kindness to animals can be a means of attaining Allah's mercy, just as cruelty to them can lead to His punishment.