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Fatwa CenterIf he is good Muslim, marry him even if you disagree on having pets
Question
Assalam alaykum dear scholars,I am about to get married to a good muslim brother in two months to come In'sha'Allah. I am a person who loves animals alot and I have several cats at home but when I mentioned to my fiance about my love for animals he told me he doesn't like animals especially the cats. I was so disappointed to hear this and I couldn't imagine myself living with a person who doesn't like animals. I can't withstand a person who mistreats animals...it usually hurts me so badly. Can I reject this man on the basis of this issue? I kindly need your wise advice.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
You have described this man as a good Muslim, and the religion urges marrying such a man. Abu Haatim Al-Muzani 
narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
“"If a man whose religion and character are pleasing to you proposes to you, then marry him; otherwise, there will be great trouble and wickedness on earth." They (the Companions) asked: "What if he has something to be criticized about." He said: "If a man whose religion and character are pleasing to you proposes to you, then marry him," three times.” [At-Tirmithi]
The fact that this man does not like animals is not a sound reason to reject his proposal, as you may find in your new life with your husband, home and perhaps children a replacement for animals to keep good company with, in addition to the fact that you may come to an understanding with him concerning this after marriage.
While we're on the subject, we have to mention that it is not permissible to keep dogs at home except cattle dogs, hunting dogs or farm dogs, as stated in the Hadeeth from Abu Hurayrah in which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
“Whoever keeps a dog as a pet, except for the purpose of hunting or herding livestock or guarding land will lose two Qeeraats (mountain size rewards) from his good deeds each day.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Some scholars also excluded by extension raising dogs to guard houses.
Allaah Knows best.
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