When hunting and slaughtering animals in Islam you’ve to say ‘Bismillahi Allahu Akbar (In the name of God, God is Greater)’ before slaughtering them. Then what about fishing? Is there an Islamic Dua for Fishing as well?
While there is no specific Islamic dua for fishing mentioned in Quran or sunnah, you could still say ‘Bismillah (In the Name of God)’ before you start fishing. Because as Muslims we’re taught to say Bismillah (In the Name of God) before doing anything.
Now, if you want to learn if you can go fishing while fasting or if it is allowed to keep a pet fish in Islam or not then let’s get started.
Is Fishing Haram?
No, Fishing is not Haram in Islam, as Allah says in the holy Quran: “It is lawful for you to hunt and eat seafood, as a provision for you and for travelers. But hunting on land is forbidden to you while on pilgrimage. Be mindful of Allah to Whom you all will be gathered.” [al-Maa’idah 5:96].
So, Is fishing haram? No, it’s not haram, however, if the person goes out fishing without the intention to use what he catches like selling, or eating it then fishing in this case is disliked (Makrooh).
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Can you go fishing while fasting?
Yes, you can go fishing while fasting as long as you have the intention to make use of what you catch like earn a livelihood.
However, fishing for leisure is disliked especially in the month of Ramadan, Allah says in the holy Quran:
“It is lawful for you to hunt and eat seafood, as a provision for you and for travelers. But hunting on land is forbidden to you while on pilgrimage. Be mindful of Allah to Whom you all will be gathered.”
[al-Maa’idah 5:96].
Can you keep a pet fish in Islam?
Yes, keeping a pet fish is permissible in Islam. Muslims are allowed to keep pets like birds, fish, and any pet animals except pigs.
Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told us about the woman who entered hell because she refused to feed a cat or let it eat from the vermin of the earth.
He said,
“A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied. She neither gave it food nor set it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 3318, Book 59, Hadith 124, Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith 535]
Keeping pet animals is not haram because there is no Islamic prohibition regarding the matter.
The Sahabaah Kept Pets!
Actually, some hadiths show that some of the Sahaabah kept pet animals.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that his younger brother used to have a nughar (a small bird or nightingale). When the bird died, he was sad and grieving, when the prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw him, he joked with him and said “O Abu Umayr, what happened to the nughayr?” this implies that keeping a pet isn’t haram.
It’s also said that Abu Hurayrah was called so because a cat used to accompany him.
Therefore, we understand that keeping a pet fish or any pet animal is allowed in Islam except pigs and dogs.
Also, you’re not allowed to treat them badly or neglect them. You’re encouraged to take good care of your pet, be kind to it and feed it. Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,
“In every living being there is reward.”
Keeping pet animals and abusing them is Haram in Islam as we learned from the story of the woman who entered hell because of a cat. We were also told about the man who watered a dog.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
“A man felt very thirsty while he was on the way, there he came across a well. He went down the well, quenched his thirst, and came out. Meanwhile, he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. He said to himself, “This dog is suffering from thirst as I did.” So, he went down the well again and filled his shoe with water, and watered it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him. The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He replied: “Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate (living being).”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 2466, Book 46, Hadith 27, Vol. 3, Book 43, Hadith 646]
Is Fishing on Saturday haram in Islam?
Fishing on Saturday in Islam is permissible in Islam. Muslims can fish on any day. Fishing on Saturday is only prohibited for the sons of Israel as Allah said in the holy Quran:
“And ask them about the town that was by the sea. When they transgressed in (the matter of) the sabbath. When their fish came to them openly on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus, did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient.” – [Qur’an 7:163]
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