Why Islam Loves Cats: The Story of Prophet Muhammad and His Cat Muezza 2
2026-05-10
The Man Who Cut His Sleeve
It was an early morning in the 7th century Arabian Peninsula. Prophet Muhammad was preparing for prayer. In Islam, Salat, the five daily prayers, is one of the most important obligations that must be observed at designated times. Particularly, Fajr, the dawn prayer, had to be performed before sunrise within a strict timeframe. Being late was not permitted.
But just as Muhammad was about to pick up his robe, he paused. On the sleeve of his garment, a cat was fast asleep. It was his cat, Muezza. The cat was curled up, breathing peacefully, deep in slumber.
Muhammad watched the sight for a moment. The time for prayer was approaching. He could have simply woken the cat and taken his robe. It would have taken only a few seconds. However, he made a different choice. He took a pair of scissors and cut off the sleeve of his robe, leaving the sleeping cat undisturbed. Then, wearing the robe with the severed sleeve, he went out to pray.
The story of the Prophet cutting his own clothing to protect a cat's sleep is the single most important scene for understanding the relationship between Islam and cats. Today, beginning with this story, I will share how cats have deeply permeated Islamic culture.
Who is Muezza — The Prophet's Cat
The name Muezza means precious being or something cherished in Arabic. The name itself already speaks to the cat's status. There are several versions of how Muezza became Muhammad's cat. According to the most widely passed-down story, Muezza was originally a street cat. Muhammad felt pity for the cat he met on the street and took it in.
Records describing Muezza's appearance are not detailed. However, some traditions depict a tabby cat with a greyish-brown coat. Because of this, some Islamic scholars suggest that today's Abyssinian or Arabian Mau breeds are the closest descendants of Muezza.
Muezza received special treatment in Muhammad's home. It was considered a member of the household, not just an animal. There are records stating that Muezza would sit on Muhammad's lap while he gave sermons. In a gathering where people came to hear the Prophet's words, a cat rested on his lap.
There is a beautiful sequel to the story of the cut sleeve. When Muhammad returned from his prayers, Muezza was awake. Muhammad stroked Muezza, and it is said that Muezza bowed three times in return. The Prophet is said to have smiled at this.
Of course, this follow-up story has a strong element of religious legend. However, there is a reason this scene has been loved in Islamic culture for centuries. It carries the message that gratitude returns to those who show mercy, and teaches that mercy is precious, even when directed toward the smallest of lives.
Islam and Cats — How the Religion Treats Animals
The story of Muezza is not just a simple anecdote. It is a symbolic event that reveals Islam's overarching attitude toward cats. The way animals are treated in Islam is detailed in the Quran and the Hadith, which are the recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad. And these regulations grant cats a very special status.
Cats are considered Tahir, meaning pure animals.
This is the core reason cats receive special treatment in Islam. Before praying in Islam, one must cleanse their body in a ritual called Wudu. Dogs are classified as impure animals in Islamic jurisprudence, and bowls licked by dogs must be washed in a specific way. However, cats are different.
There is a record in the Hadith: Muhammad's wife Aisha had a bowl of water, and a cat drank from it. When Aisha was about to throw the water away, Muhammad said:
"Do not throw it away. Cats are not impure. They are creatures that roam around you, and they are a part of your household."
This Hadith serves as a crucial basis in Islamic jurisprudence. It establishes that water drunk by a cat or food touched by a cat is not legally impure in Islam. This single ruling determined the status of cats across the entire Islamic cultural sphere.
Thawab — Giving Water to a Cat is a Good Deed
In Islam, a good deed is called Thawab. It is the concept of receiving a reward from Allah for every good action performed. And showing kindness to animals is a clear Thawab in Islam.
The Hadith contains strong warnings against abusing or neglecting animals. Among them, a story involving a cat is particularly famous. Muhammad shared this account:
"A woman entered Hell because of a cat. She kept it locked up and did not feed it, nor did she let it out to eat insects crawling on the earth. The cat starved to death."
Conversely, it teaches that showing kindness to animals brings great rewards:
"A sinful man who gave water to a thirsty dog was forgiven by Allah and entered Paradise."
These two stories are frequently cited in Islamic education. Abuse animals, and you go to Hell; show kindness to animals, and you go to Paradise. This is not just a sentimental story, but a core teaching of Islamic theology.
In fact, Islamic jurists classify starving or abusing a cat as Haram, a forbidden act. Conversely, providing food and water to street cats is Thawab, a good deed rewarded by Allah.
This teaching is one of the reasons street cats are treated relatively well in Islamic cultures today. Whether you go to Marrakech in Morocco, Istanbul in Turkey, or Cairo in Egypt, anywhere in the Islamic cultural sphere, you can see street cats living under the care of the people. It is no coincidence. It is the result of centuries of religious teachings deeply ingrained in the culture.
Cats of the Mosque — The Silent Masters of Sacred Spaces
If you visit a mosque in the Islamic world, you can witness a unique sight. Cats roam freely in and out of the mosques. They quietly weave between worshippers during prayer, sit on prayer carpets, or take naps in the mosque gardens. The worshippers do not chase them away. Instead, they pet them and bring them food.
This is a very intentional tradition. Because cats are pure animals, they are permitted to enter prayer spaces. Furthermore, many Islamic scholars consider the presence of cats in places of worship not merely permissible (Mubah) but recommended (Mustahabb).
Historically, mosque cats were not just guests. They played a practical role. Mosques often stored food or had attached libraries. The cats protected the mosque's valuable manuscripts and food from mice.
Istanbul's Hagia Sophia is one of the most famous feline habitats in the world. Hagia Sophia served as a cathedral during the Byzantine era, a mosque during the Ottoman era, and currently functions as a mosque again. Dozens of cats live in this building, and one named Gli became world-famous.
Born in 2004, Gli lived in Hagia Sophia for 17 years. Numerous world leaders and celebrities, including former US President Barack Obama, met this cat. Even during the transition of Hagia Sophia from a museum back to a mosque in 2020, Gli remained in her spot. Gli passed away in 2021, but the cats of Hagia Sophia still call that sacred space their home.
Cat Culture in the Islamic World — Different Stories from City to City
Each city in the Islamic cultural sphere has unique cultures and stories related to cats.
Istanbul, Turkey: As mentioned earlier, Istanbul is one of the cities with the largest cat populations in the world. The people of Istanbul refer to street cats as Mahalle Kedisi, or neighborhood cats. These cats have no specific owners, but the entire neighborhood cares for them together. A butcher offers meat scraps, a baker provides breadcrumbs, and a cafe owner sets out water. One cat is essentially the cat of the whole neighborhood. The 2016 documentary film Kedi captured the stories of these Istanbul street cats and garnered global attention.
Marrakech, Morocco: Countless street cats live in Marrakech's famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square and the alleyways of the Medina. These cats are popular with tourists, but they are also looked after and fed by local merchants. Even during Ramadan, food for the cats is never forgotten.
Cairo, Egypt: In Egypt, the ancient sacred land of Bastet, the love for cats has not changed even after the arrival of Islam. Egyptians call cats Qatt and hold them in special regard. Records show that a cat park called Hadiqat al-Qitat has existed near the Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo since the Middle Ages. It is also said that in the 13th century, the Egyptian Sultan Baibars created a garden for cats in Cairo and ordered that they be fed daily.
Tehran, Iran: Cats hold a special status in Iran as well. Iran is the origin of the Persian Cat breed. These elegant cats with long fur and flat faces were cherished by Persian nobility for centuries, and after being introduced to Europe, they became one of the most popular cat breeds worldwide.
Muhammad's Love for Cats — Stories from the Hadith
Beyond the story of Muezza, various Hadiths regarding Muhammad and cats have been passed down.
A cat's meow and prayer: A cat meowed while Muhammad was praying. He did not stop his prayer, but the story says he turned his head to acknowledge the cat. Whether this is fact or legend is unclear, but the story illustrates a Prophet who does not lose his consideration for life even during prayer.
The Prophet sharing food: There are records that when Muhammad was eating and a cat approached, he would share his food. The Prophet sharing his meal with a cat means that the cat was seen not just as an animal, but as a companion at the dining table.
Dua for a cat: Dua means a personal prayer or supplication in Islam. According to some traditions, Muhammad once offered a Dua for a sick cat. The Prophet praying for the health of an animal shows that the well-being of animals is a subject of religious concern in Islam.
Not all of these stories are entirely historically verified. Some carry a strong legendary tone, and some are classified as having lower reliability in Hadith grading. However, the very fact that these stories have been loved and passed down in the Islamic world for centuries is what matters. It is evidence that the love for cats is deeply rooted in the sentiments of Islamic culture.
The Origin of Cat Stripes — A Beautiful Islamic Legend
There is another beautiful folktale related to cats passed down in Islamic culture.
Prophet Muhammad was nursing the sleeping baby Jesus, who is called Isa in Islam. However, the baby was shivering from the cold. Searching for a way to keep him warm, Muhammad called for a nearby cat.
The cat approached the baby and curled its body around him, providing warmth. Out of gratitude, Muhammad stroked the cat's forehead. At that moment, stripes appeared where his fingers touched, and the story goes that this is the origin of the M shaped mark on cats' foreheads today.
In fact, there is a similar story in Christian tradition. When Mary and the baby Jesus were cold in the stable in Bethlehem, a cat provided warmth next to the baby Jesus, and a grateful Mary drew an M on the cat's forehead. The M stands for Maria. In the Islamic version, the M is interpreted as the M for Muhammad.
It is fascinating that Christianity and Islam both attached their own sacred narratives to the same M mark on a tabby cat's forehead. The religions may differ, but perhaps the heart that cherishes cats was the same.
Modern Islam and Cats — An Enduring Tradition
The love for cats remains very much alive in the modern Islamic world.
Islamic law and pet cats: Modern Islamic jurists clearly view keeping a cat as a pet as Halal, meaning permissible. Providing a cat with sufficient food and water, along with proper veterinary care, is a duty as a Muslim. Conversely, confining, neglecting, or abusing a cat is forbidden as Haram.
Social media and Islamic cat culture: In modern times, Islamic cat culture is becoming even more widely known through social media. Photos of mosque cats, videos of Muslims caring for street cats, and stories of sharing food with cats during Ramadan are shared globally, touching the hearts of many.
The modern significance of Muezza: The story of Muezza is used today in Islamic education as an important example for teaching mercy, known as Rahma, and animal rights. The image of the Prophet choosing the peace of a sleeping cat over the religious obligation of prayer time sends the message that faith should not be a cold discipline, but should contain mercy and warmth.
As one Islamic scholar put it: "Muhammad cutting his sleeve was not just because he cared for the cat. It was a respect for the dignity that every living being holds. A person who knows how to pause before a small life is a person with great faith."
A Story That Began With a Single Sleeve
A sleeve of a garment was cut. Carefully, with scissors, so as not to wake the sleeping cat. That single action became a story that has endured for 1,400 years. It created a tradition of cherishing cats throughout the entire Islamic cultural sphere. It allowed millions of street cats to find food and water in Islamic cities. It made mosques open spaces for cats.
The Prophet's mercy of cutting his sleeve for the peace of a sleeping cat has traversed millennia and reaches the cats in the alleys of Istanbul, the mosques of Cairo, and the squares of Marrakech today.
Small mercies do not disappear. They ripple out into the world, reaching someone in unexpected places, at unexpected times.
Perhaps handing a bowl of water to a cat you pass on the street today is the very same mercy as that of a Prophet who cut his sleeve 1,400 years ago.
