Is it permissible to take out health insurance for a house cat because it is sick?
Question i have read that taking insurance is haraam. But i have a small kitten who i have recently found out that he has many many fleas, this can be a danger to his health and he can contract many diseases and illnesses such as worms. My family are not rich, we cannot even afford…
Question
But i have a small kitten who i have recently found out that he has many many fleas, this can be a danger to his health and he can contract many diseases and illnesses such as worms. My family are not rich, we cannot even afford to get the kitten vaccinations. so is it permissible to get insurance so medicine for my kitten would not be as costly?
I feel really bad that my kitten is suffering from fleas day in and out, and my father is not willing to par for its treatment because it is very expensive.
I have tried giving my kitten a bath, i even got special shampoo, but the fleas are not going!
so in such a case what shall i do islamically?
Praise be to Allah.
We have
stated previously that health insurance is a kind of commercial insurance
and it is not permissible to deal with it, except when a person is forced
and compelled to take it or there is a pressing need for it, because of what
it involves of ambiguity and gambling. Please see the answer to question no.
170654
In the
answer to question no. 22373 we stated that there is
nothing wrong with keeping cats unless there is the fear that they may cause
harm, such as if they are sick or if there is the fear that they may
transmit disease and so on, because of the general meaning of the words of
the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): “There should be
neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 2340;
classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
With
regard to excessive care in looking after cats, paying excessive attention
to them and spending large amounts of money to look after them, this is a
waste of money and a focus on things that are of no benefit in religious or
worldly terms.
Rather
than grieving over a cat that is suffering this problem, we should grieve
over what is befalling the Muslims and their children in all places; rather
than wasting money on a cat, we should spend it in charity for the needy
among the Muslims.
Whatever
the case, there is nothing in what you have mentioned to suggest that there
is any necessity or need to take out haraam insurance; rather we think that
this excessive care and expense comes under the heading of wasting money, as
stated above. Because keeping the cat in the condition that you mentioned
carries the potential of harm for you and your family members, you should
get rid of this cat.
You could
send it to one of the animal care charities that are widespread in your
country, and they will look after it.
If that
option is not available, then let it go and leave it in the street or a
public place, and Allah will take care of it according to His will.
See also
the answer to question no. 7004.
And Allah
knows best.
