Imagine coming home from a busy day at work and being greeted on the door by massive, vibrant eyes and an upright, bushy tail. A string of melodic meows will be heard earlier than you even flip the doorknob. You decide up your furry feline pal and immediately, your coronary heart price slows and you’re feeling a way of ease wash over you. What had been you simply stressing about twenty minutes in the past? Whatever it was, it looks as if a distant reminiscence now that you’ve got slightly lump of fur purring ecstatically in your lap.
If this scene doesn’t sound acquainted to you, chances are you’ll not but have skilled the fun of pet possession. While proudly owning a cat positively comes with added tasks and occasional blunders are inevitable, the pure pleasure and blessings they carry into your home are priceless. Personally, proudly owning a cat for the final two years has been instrumental in serving to me address anxiousness, stress and instructing me to nurture and care for an additional residing being. I’ve learnt to empathise with animals on a brand new stage, residing so carefully with one and infrequently seeing life by way of his distinctive lens. Furthermore, not solely am I a robust believer in the advantages of cat possession, however many hadiths and recent research verify these advantages as nicely. Feel free to take notes as you retain on studying, as a way to later persuade the cussed family members in your life to lastly heat as much as the concept of getting a cat.
Cats will be comforting companions
If you’re a cat proprietor, you actually know the sensation of getting your pet cozied up in opposition to you in mattress or on the sofa. Even in case your partner, youngsters or different relations aren’t home, you abruptly really feel much less alone. Arefa Bulbulia of Scarborough, Ontario, is not any stranger to the heat of a cuddly cat. She repeatedly enjoys visiting her in-laws who’ve an 8-year-old cat, Piku. Over the years, spending time with Piku and cat-sitting him has created a robust bond between the 2.
“Piku isn’t just a pet, he’s family. There’s never a dull moment with him around”, says Arefa. “Caring for Piku helps us forget our problems and stress. He brings a sense of calm and fills the empty space in our lives. Watching him play and run freely reminds us that we aren’t alone. Whenever we’re stressed or anxious, he’s always there for us to cuddle.”
Proud cat proprietor and healthcare pupil, Jhameel Khan of Richmond Hill, Ontario, calls his valuable cat the “queen of the house”. She helps to lighten the temper in between Jhameel’s aggravating on-line programs and exams. “No one should ever have to be alone and sometimes we find friendship where we least expect it”, Jhameel says. “My cat, Zara, is able to take my focus away from anxiety and stress by giving me peace and by being silly. She loves popping her little head on the video chat while I’m doing online classes, which makes everyone laugh. She always micromanages my case studies and sits beside my laptop while I prepare for exams.”
And if humour, leisure and unconditional love weren’t sufficient, Jhameel additionally provides, “I haven’t seen a single spider since she’s been around either.” Seems like a win-win scenario for everybody concerned –besides the spiders, after all.
As you possibly can think about, there may be additionally good proof to again up the declare that having a cat at home can lower emotions of loneliness and improve nicely being. In a examine by the University of Rochester Medical Center, psychiatrists studied 830 sufferers over the age of 60 to seek out that older adults residing with pets had been 36% much less prone to report emotions of loneliness than these with out pets of their properties (1). The examine concluded that pets may give individuals a way of objective and assist seniors really feel extra motivated to attach socially, play repeatedly and finally assist beat despair and isolation (1).
Another examine from the Baker Medical Research Institute, discovered that those that owned pets had notably decrease systolic blood strain than those that didn’t, lowering their threat for heart problems (2). Not solely does this show the stress lowering impact cats can have on us, but additionally reveals the tangible well being advantages related to proudly owning a pet.
Cats are clear animals
In Islam, cats are beloved for his or her cleanliness and might roam freely in our properties and mosques with out fear. In reality, Abu Hurairah (RA), one of many companions of The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was given the nickname “father of the kittens” on account of his affection for cats. When requested about his title, Abu Hurairah (RA) mentioned:
“I used to tend the sheep of my people, and I had a small kitten; so I used to place it in a tree at night, and during the day I would take it with me and play with it. So they named me Abu Hurairah.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3840)
Due to this love and attachment to kittens, cats have develop into a preferred pet for a lot of Muslims.
Resident of Toronto, Ontario, Asoomii Jay, adopted her cat 4 years in the past as a 4-month-old kitten. “I was living alone at that time and wanted a furry companion who would also be low maintenance, as I worked 8-12 hour days,” Asoomii recollects. Her cat, Misty, was the proper addition to her home and life-style.
“As long as Misty has food, water and a clean litter box, she manages everything else herself,” says Asoomii. “Cats don’t need to be taken out for walks, they can entertain themselves at home with stimulating toys, and I only have to maintain my cat’s grooming occasionally, such as trimming her claws. Because she’s an indoor cat she doesn’t need to be bathed, and I never worry about ticks, fleas or parasites.” Like many different cat house owners, Asoomii is grateful for her cat’s persistent cleansing habits, independence and her uncanny means to rid the home of spiders, bugs and undesirable intruders.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned, “Cats do not invalidate the prayer, because they are one of the things that are useful in the house.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 369)
On common, a standard cat can spend about 30-50% of their waking day grooming and licking themselves (3). Due to their pure inclinations to cleanliness and their revered standing in Islam, cats ought to be handled kindly and with respect no matter whether or not they’re pets in our properties or these which are on the streets.
Cats train us to empathise and be accountable
I’ve by no means empathised with animals greater than after proudly owning a pet myself. Learning to navigate my cat’s emotions and making an attempt to speak with him each day has opened up a complete new stage of understanding. I can inform when he’s hungry, filled with vitality or able to pounce on me. I can even sense when he’s pleased, comfy or prepared for an excellent evening’s sleep. I share these emotions with him and really feel most relaxed when he’s purring fortunately alongside me.
According to at least one examine carried out on youngsters with family pets, I’m not the one one growing these emotions of compassion. Researchers examined the affect of pet possession on elementary college students to seek out that youngsters who had been extra connected to their pets had greater empathy scores than those that weren’t as connected (4). When we’re in a position to set up a robust bond with our pets, we are able to empathise with them on a deeper stage and infrequently study to be extra accountable and diligent in our repairs of them as a facet impact.
Asif P. of Scarborough, Ontario, is aware of nicely the fun, challenges and tasks of getting a cat for almost fifteen years. “Noor became a vital member of our family. He was treated equally to everyone else in the house. If he wanted space, we gave him his space. If he wanted attention, we were ready to provide it.”
Unfortunately, when his cat handed away earlier this yr, his whole household was left grieving. “It sent a shockwave through our family. Even the nephews and nieces were upset,” Asif says. “A lot of tears were shed and prayers were made. Although he’s gone now, he will never be forgotten.” Not solely do our pets contact our lives, however they make a long-lasting affect on the lives of these round us and even nicely into the following technology.
Cat house owners Mosina Painter-Patel and Akib Patel of Scarborough, Ontario, are having fun with the valuable moments between their young son, Ibrahim, and their two cats, Dobby and Hedwig. “Dobby is typically the more quiet and cuddly one and Hedwig is just a goof, but he can be affectionate as well”, Akib says about his cats’ totally different personalities.
“I remember when my wife was pregnant and vomiting, Hedwig would always come and sit next to her as if to show support,” he provides. “Sometimes we catch Hedwig sleeping in Ibrahim’s crib when it’s empty, as if to remind us that he was the first baby!” While cats are positively cute and comforting, it appears they actually aren’t above slightly sibling rivalry.
Cats aren’t the one pets that may carry us pleasure
While cats can train us lots, they aren’t the one animals that may be helpful to our well-being. Three sisters from Ajax, Ontario; Hafeeza, Aysha and Latifah Patel, are captivated with caring for his or her a number of pets. They are house owners and caretakers to 2 birds named Leo and Cookie, and two guinea pigs, Smoki and Peanut.
“When I first got the guinea pigs at the start of the pandemic, they became a lifeline for me. I was struggling with chronic pain and feeling so unmotivated to get out of bed. They brought joy back into my life, gave me motivation and were definitely a source of comfort”, says Hafeeza, the oldest of the three. “My birds also bring me joy, make me laugh and help distract me from anything stressful”, she says. After all, it’s laborious to be in a foul temper whenever you’re waking as much as the candy, cheerful chirping of birds day-after-day.
Giving charity and gaining good deeds by caring for pets
As Muslims, we perceive that kindness to animals, no matter whether or not they’re home pets, strays, or cattle, is integral to our beliefs. By conserving cats as our beloved home pets and prioritising their care and upkeep, we are able to achieve rewards and good deeds just like that of giving charity.
As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned, “There is a reward for serving any living thing.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2363)
Although feeding our pets, giving them area and time to play are very mundane facets of pet possession, these will be the very deeds that assist to raise us and grant us the forgiveness of Allah SWT.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned, “A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3321)
More than simply lumps on the sting of our beds, cats are really wonderful companions and might find yourself being our dearest buddies. With all this being mentioned nevertheless, it’s necessary to keep in mind that proudly owning a pet is a big duty and making certain correct care and a spotlight to them ought to be your utmost precedence.
Even if cat possession is just not the best match for you, there are many alternatives on the market so that you can spend time with cats, corresponding to volunteering at your native animal shelter or cat sitting to your family and friends. While it could not appear to be a lot, there are lots of animals which are in want of a serving to hand and would profit from even a pair hours of your time and a spotlight. At the tip of the day, it’s in these small acts of care and compassion that we make the lives of these round us higher and finally, pave our personal path to Jannah.
References:
- Stanley IH, Conwell Y, Bowen C, Van Orden KA. Pet possession might attenuate loneliness amongst older grownup main care sufferers who stay alone. Ageing Ment Health. 2014;18(3):394-9. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2013.837147. Epub 2013 Sep 18. PMID: 24047314; PMCID: PMC3944143.
- Anderson WP, Reid CM, Jennings GL. Pet possession and threat components for heart problems. Med J Aust. 1992 Sep 7;157(5):298-301. PMID: 1435469.
- Eckstein, Robert & Hart, Benjamin. (2000). The organisation and management of grooming in cats. Applied animal behaviour science. 68. 131-140. 10.1016/S0168-1591(00)00094-0.
Beth Daly & L.L. Morton (2006). An investigation of human-animal interactions and empathy as associated to pet desire, possession, attachment, and attitudes in youngsters, Anthrozoös, 19:2, 113-127, DOI: 10.2752/089279306785593801
