Killed a cat by accident
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Assalamu Alaikum, I have done a big sin, and I need to know how to ask for forgiveness from Allah or what to do in return for my sin. I had a cat who had added stress in my life along with my other stressful matters. I took my anger on the cat then killed in fear that it would live in it's bad condition. Although these are my reasons, I know they are not reasons for Allah to allow me to kill it and I know it was bad. What can I do to ask for forgivenes from Allah? I do not intend to take in an animal due to my doings. I do not want to have the opportunity to kill another cat due to my stress. I was not feeling good doing it and do not afterwards also. What should I do?
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Answer:
Killed a cat by accident
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
If you have killed a cat in anger without any reason or rhyme then you should immediately make taubah and make a solemn promise never to do a similar sin again. InshaAllah you will find your Majestic Lord Merciful.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.553 Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar
Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "A woman was tortured and was put in Hell because of a cat which she had kept locked till it died of hunger."
Sahih Muslim Hadith 6638A Narrated by Abu Hurayrah
Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘A woman was thrown into Hell-Fire because of a cat whom she had tied and did not provide it with food, nor did she set it free to eat insects of the earth until it died inch by inch.’
If one does not fear that the animal will harm or injure them or their property, or one does not intend to duly slaughter and eat the flesh of the animal…..then indeed the intentional and purposeless killing of any animal would indeed be a considered a sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.
But if one has killed an animal unintentionally or by accident, there is no sin. Your sincere remorse and guilt at the taking of the animal’s life, even though it was an accident and absolutely unintentional, is evident of your sincere fear of Allah and the Last Day…. and the sincere remorse and guilt that you have experienced would more than suffice as your repentance and your atonement in the Sight of your Lord Most Merciful, Insha Allah.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,
Burhan