Keeping Birds As Pets

It is permissible to keep birds as pets in Shariah. However, one should not cause any pain or annoyance to them. It will also be necessary to see to the food and drink of these creatures.

It is recorded in a Hadith wherein Anas Radiallahu Anhu is reported to have said that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam was the best of people in character. He further says, “I had a brother who used to be called Abu Umair.” The narrator of the Hadith states that I think that Anas Radiallahu Anhu said that Abu Umair was weaned off while he was very young. Anas Radiallahu Anhu says that when Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam used to come and meet us then out of kindness he used to say “O Abu Umair, what has happened to Nughair” (referring to the small bird with a red beak which Abu Umair would play with but had died). [Muslim Vol 2 Pg. 210]

From the above narration we understand that keeping of birds as pets is permitted in Shariah. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam did not rebuke Abu Umair for keeping a bird as a pet.