Is it permissible to kill insects by electric shock, given that there are now electrical devices in the form of light bulbs (lamps) that glow a specific color and attract
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : This is a message received from a female questioner who used the initials M.S.M. as a code for her name. In her first question, she asks: Is it permissible to kill insects by electric shock, given that there are now electrical devices in the form of light bulbs that glow a specific color and attract insects to them, so that when these insects touch them, they are electrocuted and die without being burned?
The Shaykh : Yes. Yes, there is nothing wrong with those in the form of light bulbs intended to kill mosquitoes and similar insects, because this does not fall under torture by fire, as the insect is electrocuted rather than burned. Furthermore, it may be that their harm cannot be repelled except by this means. If their harm cannot be repelled except by burning, there is nothing wrong with that, because the purpose of the prohibition is that no one should be tortured by fire except Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The point is that a person should not seek to torture by fire, but rather to repel harm by fire. Repelling harm is not the same as torture. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Yes. Yes, there is nothing wrong with those in the form of light bulbs intended to kill mosquitoes and similar insects, because this does not fall under torture by fire, as the insect is electrocuted rather than burned. Furthermore, it may be that their harm cannot be repelled except by this means. If their harm cannot be repelled except by burning, there is nothing wrong with that, because the purpose of the prohibition is that no one should be tortured by fire except Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The point is that a person should not seek to torture by fire, but rather to repel harm by fire. Repelling harm is not the same as torture. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.