As someone who likes to keep cats, did you know that there is a reward for keeping cats? This is because cats are the favorite animals of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and he used to keep cats too.
Cats include animals that are sacred and very far from unclean. The cat will diligently clean its body every time by licking its body. This makes this one animal so respected in Islam.
As the Prophet’s favorite animal, cats are even included in sahih hadiths. Where his actions with the Prophet were successfully immortalized in various narrations. In addition, cats are even present in various journeys of Islamic civilization.
Even up to this point, cats are famous for being highly respected animals, to the point that if you accidentally bump into them. Then most Muslims in the world will get out of the car and if the cat dies, then he will bury it.
The Reward of Keeping a Cat
When a person keeps any animal as long as in his heart is full of faith in Allah it will undoubtedly bring goodness. Even when it is intended as worship it will be worth the reward, especially when what is kept is a cat which is one of the Prophet’s favorite animals. Here are some reviews of the merits of keeping cats:
1. Train an Empathic Attitude
Keeping a cat is one of the exercises to develop an empathetic attitude among fellow living beings. For example, when a young child is taught to keep a cat, he will grow up to be a loving and caring person.
This is evidenced by the majority of humans who become cat keepers are women. Because to keep a cat it really needs affection and extra patience.
2. Get Mercy on Judgment Day
Anyone who loves pets whether it’s cats or sacrificial animals later on the Day of Judgment will get mercy from Allah SWT. Of course, on condition of sincerity and sincerity in one’s heart.
As the hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari means, “Whoever loves even a slaughtered animal, surely Allah will have mercy on him on the Day of Judgment. With this, there is no need to feel afraid or worried when you want to keep a cat.”
3. Obtaining Forgiveness from Allah SWT
In the syarah Adabul Mufrod, it is mentioned that every Muslim is strongly encouraged to always do good to all creatures on earth, including pets. It is explained that people who always do good will receive rewards and forgiveness from Allah SWT.
Continue to do good to others, because if we continue to do it istiqomah, then Allah will certainly not waste your kindness.
4. Keeping Cats is a Form of Almsgiving
Allah SWT strongly encourages Muslims to always take care of, feed, and drink animals. This is a form of charity. Especially when the animals are thirsty and hungry. Keeping cats here is included in the form of alms.
Even if it is against animals that are starving or thirsty, it is included in the great charity. This is because you have contributed to saving the life of an animal on the verge of death.
“In every charity towards a creature that has a heart (heart) that is wet (alive) will get a good reward. If a Muslim plant or vegetation is eaten by birds, people, or animals, he will be rewarded with charity” (Bukhari, Muslim).
5. Get a lot of sustenance
As we explained earlier, keeping cats is included in the alms class. And alms enter into practices that can facilitate sustenance. Therefore, it can be concluded that keeping cats can facilitate your sustenance.
Here we can emphasize that sustenance is not just money. Health also includes sustenance. Harmonious family life also includes sustenance.
Therefore, if you get something like a more peaceful family. Maybe it’s God’s reply because you have often fed the cat.
6. Smoothing the Business
Well, one of the other things you might get after keeping a cat is that your business matters become smoother. Because one of the benefits/rewards of keeping a cat is to facilitate sustenance in the form of smooth business affairs without significant obstacles.
7. Loved by the Prophet
In various stories, it has been mentioned that cats became one of the favorite pets of the Prophet Muhammad. Even buy gave his cat the name Muezza.
As we know, following every action of the Prophet (sunnah) will certainly be one of the people he loves on the Day of Judgment. And this also applies to cat keepers who love their cats, because the Prophet Muhammad SAW was also very good to his cat.
Hadith About the Virtue of Cats
Cats, even when he wants to make ablution, he has to wait for the cat to finish drinking so as not to disturb him while drinking.
Another Hadith of the Virtues of cats is in this Hadith “The cat is not unclean, he is an animal that likes to wander around the house (home animal)”. (HR Tirmidzi). Cats are one of animals that are not considered unclean, making them suitable for you to keep.
Because if you have to keep an unclean animal, it will be quite troublesome for you. Especially when going to worship.
Thus, the review of the merits of keeping cats may be useful and encourage Muslims to always do good to pets.
