Kabsha daughter of Ka‘b b. Malik and wife of Ibn Abu Qatada said that Abu Qatada visited her and she poured out water for him for ablution. A cat came and drank some of it, and he tilted the vessel for it till it had had a drink. Kabsha said that when he saw her looking at him he asked, “Are you surprised, my niece?” When she replied that she was, he declared that God’s messenger said, “It is not unclean;it is one of those [male or female] who go round among you.” Malik, Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.
Purification: Commentary on Mishkat al-Masabih 482
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This blessed hadith from the noble collection Mishkat al-Masabih addresses fundamental principles of purity and divine mercy in Islamic jurisprudence.
The Nature of Cats in Islamic Law
The Prophet's declaration "It is not unclean" establishes that cats are among the pure creatures. Their saliva does not nullify ablution or render water impure, unlike the saliva of certain other animals.
The phrase "those who go round among you" indicates that cats are considered part of the human household community, deserving kindness and not being treated as najis (impure).
Juridical Implications for Ablution
When a cat drinks from water intended for wudu, the water remains pure and valid for ritual purification. Abu Qatada's action of tilting the vessel demonstrates the recommended kindness toward animals.
This ruling applies specifically to domestic cats, as they are the ones "who go round among you" in homes and communities.
Transmission and Authenticity
This hadith is transmitted through multiple authoritative sources including Malik, Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and Darimi, indicating its strong authenticity and wide acceptance among early scholars.
The chain of narration through Kabsha bint Ka'b demonstrates how Islamic teachings were preserved through both male and female companions.