How Does Islamic Culture View Cats? Everything You Need to Know

Download Article

Plus, what having a cat dream means in Islam

Co-authored by Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: February 17, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Cats & Islamic Culture

|

Why Cats Are Good Pets

|

Cat Dream Meanings

|

FAQs

|

Video

Within Islam, cats are known for being spiritually and physically pure creatures. They’re not only allowed in homes and mosques, but have been celebrated throughout Islamic history through stories told about the Prophet Muhammad. Keep reading to find out all there is to know about how cats are regarded in Islam, along with why they make good pets in Islamic households. You’ll also discover what seeing a cat in a dream might mean, and get answers to more questions about cats and Islam.

What are cats associated with in Islam?

Cats are highly regarded in Islam and are associated with cleanliness; they are allowed in both homes and mosques. Stories of the Prophet Muhammad include ones about his cat Muezza and a figure known as “the Father of Kittens.” Having a cat is a way to practice empathy, kindness, and personal responsibility in Islam.

Section 1 of 4:

How are cats regarded in Islam?

Download Article

They reflect Islamic values, including independence, humility, and self-sufficiency. Cats are seen as spiritually pure creatures worthy of both dignity and respect. They're also admired for their cleanliness and attention to personal hygiene.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Islamic regard for cats is linked to the Prophet Muhammad. It’s said that the Prophet Muhammad had a beloved cat named Muezza. The most famous story of Muezza involved Muhammad cutting his own robe so he could get up without disturbing Muezza, who was asleep on the robe.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- A lesser-known story mentions a cat that saved Muhammad from a snake attack while he slept in the desert by fighting and killing the snake. Legend refers to Muhammad stroking the cat, which is said to have given all tabby cats the "M" mark on their forehead and the ability to always land on their feet.
- Another legend includes Abu Huraira, one of Muhammad’s closest companions. His name translates to “Father of the Kitten,” because he was known to carry a small kitten in his sleeve.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
They’re thought of as ritually clean creatures. Cats keep themselves extremely clean, which aligns with traditional Islamic principles about cleanliness. Because they’re considered ritually pure, cats are even allowed inside mosques. The Prophet Muhammad even stated, “They (cats) are not impure; they intermingle with you.” — Sunan Abu Dawood, 75; Sahih al-Tirmidhi, 92.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- The cleanliness of cats is illustrated in another folktale, where Muhammad’s companion Ebu Nuaym saw Muhammad’s cat Muezza drinking water from a fountain meant for believers performing ablutions before saying prayers. Ebu Nuaym told Muhammad, who said, “Cats have the cleanest mouths.”^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Islamic tradition views cats’ saliva as clean, as well as the water from which they drink.

Section 2 of 4:

Why Cats Are Good Pets in Islamic Households

Download Article

1
Keeping a cat encourages empathy and compassion. Being kind to animals, especially cats, is thought to be rewarded by Allah in Islam. Those who keep cats have a responsibility to give them food and water, as reflected by a story from the hadith (the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). In the tale, a woman was punished for locking up her cat without food or water.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- The verse reads, “A woman entered the Hellfire because of a cat or kitten she had imprisoned. She did not let it eat, nor release it to eat the vermin of the earth, until it died emaciated.” — Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2619
2
It shows personal responsibility. In Islamic law (“fiqh”), owning cats comes with the condition that the owner takes responsibility for them. This includes providing sufficient food, water, and shelter, along with keeping the cat safe from harm. This responsibility comes with a commitment to not abuse, neglect, or confine the cat; failure to do so is considered a sin in Islam.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- It’s also considered a collective responsibility to feed stray cats within Islam. For this reason, the practice of taking care of stray cat populations is a beloved tradition in modern-day Turkey, especially in Istanbul.
3
Caring for cats as pets is associated with blessings and good fortune. The fact that they are ritual clean (“tahir”) and were a favorite pet of the Prophet Muhammad also means that, in addition to their spiritual meaning, cats can bring blessings to a home, along with peace, comfort, and faithful companionship.https://www.wikihow.com/Cats-in-Islam^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Showing mercy and kindness to animals by taking care of them as pets is associated with rewards and Allah’s forgiveness for other sins in Islamic teachings.
- Cats also protect the home by keeping it free of mice, rats, and other pests, which is a more practical reason they’re appreciated in Islam.

Section 3 of 4:

What does seeing cats in a dream mean in Islam?

Download Article

Cats are associated with divine protection and secrets. This is rooted in how beloved cats were said to be to the Prophet Muhammad, who had a cat named Muezza. When interpreting a cat dream in Islam, it’s important to note that a cat can signify that God is watching over you.
A cat dream is often linked to inner wisdom and spiritual growth. It may reflect how much you’re listening to your intuition and whether you need to pay more attention to it. Dreaming about a cat could mean you need to focus more on the spiritual, especially during difficult times.
Since cats were seen as spiritually pure creatures, seeing a cat in a dream is often related to the theme of kindness and reward. This connects to the idea that taking care of a cat as a pet is a good deed deserving of reward. It’s also a way to be forgiven for other sins committed by a Muslim.
On the negative side, cat dreams in Islam are sometimes associated with neglect, particularly related to women and children. Seeing a cat in a dream may also indicate a figure who is stealing from you, which relates to the idea that you may be neglecting your own sense of self-protection.^{[9]
X
Research source}

Section 4 of 4:

Cats in Islam FAQs

Download Article

1
Do cats bring angels into the house in Islam? Cats are not believed to directly bring angels into a house, but, in Islam, angels are believed to reside in clean spaces. Since cats are considered clean, their presence in a home is unofficially associated with attracting angels. According to Islamic hadiths, the presence of cats doesn’t drive angels away, nor do they invalidate prayers.^{[10]
X
Research source}
2
What does the Quran say about cats? The Quran itself does not mention cats, but there are multiple stories and legends about cats told mostly through the Hadith, a text made up of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad.https://www.wikihow.com/Cats-in-Islam Cats are also thought of as ritually clean, highly regarded creatures within Islamic culture itself.^{[11]
X
Research source}
3
Are Muslims allowed to have dogs as pets? Yes, Muslims can have dogs in their homes according to many Islamic scholars. Dogs have sometimes been considered ritually impure within Islam, but the practice of being kind to animals, including dogs, and sheltering them overrides this belief as a good deed and an expression of mercy.^{[12]
X
Research source}