The Ruling on Raising Predatory Animals

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible to raise predatory animals such as lions and wolves?

Answer:
The Shaykh: What is the benefit of it? The benefit is that you raise it, but why would you lose your money on it? What is the benefit of it? This is a matter of frivolity and futility, and you gain nothing from it. However, these things may be placed in zoos for the purpose of observing them, knowing what is written about them, or documenting their history, or the like. If they are placed in public parks, there is nothing wrong with that. But for individuals to keep these things, there is no benefit in it; it is a burden. The default ruling is permissibility. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the cat: "A cat was kept by her, and she left it to eat from our provisions," which indicates that if you feed it and give it water, there is nothing wrong with that. But what is the benefit of it? Yes.