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In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful.

BUYING AND SELLING | Buying

Trading in monkeys

Question: I inform you that I am a national (native), and wish to enter the field of trading in tame animals such as cats and birds. Inclusive of these animals are chimpanzees, which can be domesticated and trained for entertainment purposes, such as attracting customers to the shop, and (as a result) increase sales of other (items). They may be sold to households simply for amusement purposes, however, they are very expensive. So some brothers (jazaa-humullaahu khayr) have informed me that trading in monkeys is haraam, considering they are a sign of punishment and wrath (from Allaah). And also because this involves changing their nature and mistreating them, in addition to them being a waste of money. I am hoping your excellencies will oblige in guiding us to that which is correct, inshaa.-Allaah, and jazaa-kumullaahu khayr.

Response: It is not permissible to sell cats, monkeys, dogs and other than them which have fangs, because the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) forbade that and denounced it, and also because it involves a waste of money, which the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) also forbade.

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa, comprising -
Head: Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz;
Deputy Head: Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal-ash-Shaykh;
Member: Shaykh 'Abdullaah ibn Ghudayyaan;
Member: Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan;
Member: Shaykh Bakar 'Abdullaah Abu Zayd
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Volume 13, Page 37, Fatwa No.18564