Is it permissible to keep birds and colored fish?
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The questioner : Yes, regarding keeping colored birds, O our Shaykh.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : And what about colored fish, is that permissible?
The Shaykh : It is one of the forms of amusement, without a doubt. So, if it does not occupy its owner from the obedience of Allah and from fulfilling any of the obligatory duties,
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : whether they are religious, social, or family duties, it falls under the general meaning of His saying, the Exalted:[Al-A'raf 7:32]. And we can cite on this occasion the hadith of Anas ibn Malik: When his young brother died, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) comforted him by saying: Sunan Abi Dawud 4969Sahih (Al-Albani). The scholars have derived many issues from this hadith, among them that it is permissible to keep birds in a cage. And if this is established, then there is no difference at that time, in the correct view.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : between keeping one bird or many birds in one cage, just as there is no difference between keeping birds in one cage or in many cages, as long as that does not occupy one from obedience and worship.
The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner : And what about colored fish, is that permissible?
The Shaykh : It is one of the forms of amusement, without a doubt. So, if it does not occupy its owner from the obedience of Allah and from fulfilling any of the obligatory duties,
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : whether they are religious, social, or family duties, it falls under the general meaning of His saying, the Exalted:
Say, "Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?" Say, "They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection."
قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ قُلْ هِيَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا خَالِصَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِAbu ‘Umair! What has happened to the little sparrow?
يا أبا عمير ، ما فعل النُّغَير ؟!The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : between keeping one bird or many birds in one cage, just as there is no difference between keeping birds in one cage or in many cages, as long as that does not occupy one from obedience and worship.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.