Amidst the Tarawih prayers at a bustling mosque in Algeria, a cat made a surprise appearance on the mosque’s Imam, exhibiting Islam’s love and adoration of cats.
The cat playfully pounced on him, and the entire incident was captured live and later shared by the BBC.
The footage, which was shared by the BBC, shows Imam Walid Mehsas keeping his cool and allowing the cat to perch on his shoulder without becoming alarmed. Just before the imam bows during the prayer, the cat cuddles up to him once it is on his shoulder and gracefully leaps down.
In Islam, cats are highly regarded and considered to be one of the most beloved creatures of Allah. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, had a great affection for cats and kept them as pets in his household.
Islam places a great emphasis on animal welfare and teaches its followers to treat all animals with compassion and kindness. In the latest incident, the Algerian Imam continued his sermon without reacting negatively towards the cat, demonstrating the importance of empathy and kindness towards animals.
The love of cats in Islam is evident in the historical references, such as the story of the Mamluk sultan al-Zahir Baybars, who endowed a “cats’ garden” where the cats of Cairo would find everything they needed and liked.
The tradition continues to this day, and every visitor to these Islamic cities is aware of the innumerable cats in the streets of Cairo, Istanbul, Kairouan, and Damascus.
Cats were common pets among Muslims and were referred to as companions of most of them, from housewives to great scholars. They were loved, not only for their beauty or elegance but also for their practical purposes. For example, Muslim scholars wrote odes for their cats because they protected their precious books from attacks by animals such as mice. The Prophet Muhammad’s young widow, A’isha, when complaining that everyone had deserted her, added: “Even the cat has left me alone.”
“Cats have been either revered or demonised throughout human history, but in Islam, they are regarded with love and respect”
“There used to be a companion of the Prophet Muhammd, nicknamed Abu Hurayrah, translated as Father of the Kitten. He would sit with many cats and kittens, and at one point a cat was sleeping on his robe, so he cut it in half so as not to disturb that cat.”
Cats were not just companions or pets; they were also regarded as members of the family and protectors of the houses against deadly insects and harmful animals such as scorpions.
Further, it is believed that cats have a special place in Islamic culture due to their cleanliness and natural inclination towards purity. In fact, it is believed that if a cat drinks from a person’s cup, the cup does not need to be washed as the cat’s tongue is considered to be pure.
These majestic creatures are recognized and revered for their companionship, loyalty, and playful nature, and are regarded as a treasured gift from Allah.
The Algerian mosque incident is not only a heartwarming reminder of Islam’s teachings but also a beautiful example of how highly regarded cats are in Islamic culture.