Killing Mice and Pests
Question:
What is the best way to get rid of something like a mouse caught in the house? Should one just kill it or throw it outside (where it would be killed by some other animal anyways)? Secondly, are traps that kill or disable animals allowed?
Answer:
To kill animals and insects which are harmful to one’s self or belongings (such as pests) is permissible.
However, maximum effort should be made in minimizing the suffering and pain. There is a whole chapter in the famous Hanafi Fiqh reference, al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya regarding the killing of animals and what may and may not be done.
Therefore, to keep traps which kill the animals is permissible, although traps which disable them or cause slow, painful death may not be kept, as harming the animal and making it suffer is not permissible.
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira related that, “The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) forbade making animals suffer.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
And Allah Knows Best
[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK