Explore alternative ways to feed the cats that don't involve disobeying the parents

18-11-2023 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamo Alaykom. I live with my parents in a house with a backyard. I love giving food to cats, but my parents say I should stop doing that because the cats jump into the backyard and fight each other and leave the place dirty. I also hear from my neighbor that the cats jump into their backyard at times. Am I sinful if I keep giving food to cats?Jazakum lah khayra.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

It appears, Allah knows best, that your obligation is to obey your parents and refrain from feeding the cats in the mentioned area. This is because preventing you from doing so serves an apparent interest, which is maintaining the cleanliness of that backyard. You can explore alternative ways to feed the cats without disobeying your parents, such as placing their food in another location outside the house, like garbage collection areas or similar places.

Allah knows best.