All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.
There is no harm in selling domestic cats especially if people can benefit from as it is permitted in the first place because there is no Sharia text has proven otherwise; in this regard, Al-Imam An-Nawawi (May Allah have mercy on his soul) said:” The majority of Muslim scholars are of the view that Selling domestic cats is permissible. Others stated that selling them is impermissible for Abu Zubair (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I asked Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) about the payment for cats and dogs and he replied, "The Prophet (PBUH) warned sternly against that." [Reported by Muslim]. Whereas the Shafie’es scholars stated the selling domestic cats is permissible because they are pure and might be benefit from in addition, all the lawful conditions of selling do exist in it, similar to selling donkeys and mules.
The aforementioned narration holds two answers as follows:
First: The narration is regarding nondomestic cats whereas a person is neither permitted to sell nor to benefit from.
Second: Selling domestic cats is a slightly reprehensible act. Kindly refer to [Al-Majmoaa’ vol.9 pp.229].
Yet, if selling domestic cats turned to luxurious market in which millions of Dinars are being spent and for which many luxury companies are competing in wasting money, as is the case in some countries, then this is neither complies with Sharia nor to good manners, for meanwhile many people starve and die while animals being sold against millions in those country. In this regard, Allah, The Exalted said (What means):” Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!). [At-Takathur/8]. And Allah knows best.
