Why Can Muslims Touch Cats? Faith, Love & Furry Whiskers

Islam and Animals: A Deeply Rooted Respect

Well, first things first—Islam has a rich, almost poetic relationship with animals, especially cats. It's not just "okay" for Muslims to touch cats—there’s actually a kind of quiet admiration for them in Islamic tradition.

Honestly, I didn’t fully grasp this until I had a convo with my friend Omar last week. He casually dropped this line while petting my tabby:

“Did you know the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had a cat?”

I blinked. Wait, what? Really? Turns out, yes—and her name was Muezza.

The Prophet's Bond with His Cat

The story goes that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once cut off a piece of his own robe rather than disturb his cat, who was sleeping on it. I mean—come on. That’s not just tolerance. That’s genuine love.

In Islamic teachings, cats are considered tāhir (pure). They’re allowed to roam freely in homes and even mosques. I remember visiting a small masjid in Istanbul and seeing a cat curled up right by the imam’s shoes. No one flinched. It felt... peaceful.

Are There Any Islamic Rules About Cats?

Yes, but they’re not what you might expect. There’s no harshness or fear around cats in Islam—just respect, kindness, and a few hygienic considerations.

Purity and Cleanliness in Islam

Touching a cat doesn’t break your wudu (ablution) because, as I mentioned, they’re considered clean.
Even the water a cat drinks from can still be used for wudu if needed. That bit surprised me, honestly.

That said, Islam places huge importance on hygiene. So, if your cat’s covered in something unclean (like actual visible dirt or worse), it’s common sense to wash up afterward. Nothing extreme.

Cultural Misunderstandings: Why the Confusion?

Now, here’s where things get weird. I once overheard someone at a park whispering, “Wait, aren’t Muslims not allowed to have pets?”
Cue facepalm.

That misconception might come from some other restrictions—like the ones around dogs (which are generally seen as less clean). But cats? Cats have always been treated differently.

Media, Stereotypes, and Half-Knowledge

Honestly, part of the confusion comes from media and what I call “Google scholar syndrome”—people reading half an article and assuming the rest.

When you actually talk to Muslims, you’ll hear stories of cats raised in loving homes, curled up on prayer rugs, or snoozing on sunlit windowsills during Qur’an recitations. It’s real, it’s tender, and it’s beautiful.

Can Muslims Keep Cats as Pets? Absolutely.

I’ve seen it myself—my neighbor Fatima has three. One of them even has an Instagram account (not even joking).

Islam encourages compassion for all living beings. There are hadiths (narrations of the Prophet’s teachings) that explicitly praise kindness to animals. And neglect or cruelty? That’s a serious sin.

Responsibilities Toward Pets in Islam

You’re expected to feed them, care for them, not imprison them cruelly. That goes beyond just “you can touch them.” It’s about being accountable for their well-being.

Actually, there's even a famous hadith about a woman who was punished for locking up a cat and letting it starve. It’s intense, but it shows how seriously this is taken.

So... Why Can Muslims Touch Cats?

Because Islam never told them not to.
Because cats are clean, loving, and respected in Islamic tradition.
Because the Prophet himself loved them.

I used to think this was just a niche cultural thing. But after learning more, I realized it’s much deeper. It’s not just about touching a cat—it’s about how a religion centered around mercy reflects that in even the smallest, furriest of creatures.

And honestly? That makes me love both cats and Islam a little more.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.