Fatwa #57454 June 2002Canada
I would like to know a muslim can keep a snake at home as a pet, What does Islam says about it?? What does Islam says about snake keeeping it as a pet.
Answer
To keep a snake as a pet is not permissible. Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) has commanded the killing of snakes. (Hadith of Bukhari and
Muslim). Mirqat Vol. 7 Pg: 712 [Maktaba Haqqaaniyya ]
Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has also discouraged keeping dogs
as pets ( Mirqaat Vol. 7 Pg. 697)
To keep harmful animals or animals deemed impure in the Shariah eg. pigs ,
as pets would not be permissible. Other animals eg: cats, sheep, goats,
birds, fish etc. are permissible to keep as pets.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai