Q 1: I am in the last year of my studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinarians often perform surgeries for cats and dogs to treat some kinds of cancer or for other reasons. However, some Muslims who imitate the westerners nowadays resort to the trendy surgeries. (Part No. 26; Page No. 165) Unfortunately, they bring the pet to the veteran and ask him to do castration, hysterectomy, ovariectomy, cutting the tail, etc., where there is no need for such operations. They only want to fulfill a desire. It is noteworthy that many of the dogs they keep are not used for watching but are kept inside the house.My question is: What is the ruling on such unnecessary surgeries which are meant to achieve the demand of the pet owner?

A: Firstly, it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Anyone who keeps a dog other than one meant for watching the fields, or herds, or hunting would lose one qirat every day out of his reward (with Allah). (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in their two Sahih Books.) He (peace be upon him) said, If one keeps a dog which is not meant for guarding a farm or cattle, one Qirat of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily. (Agreed upon by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim.) According to these texts and others, it is known that Muslims have dogs for reasons other than the justifiable reasons stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and just for fun or imitating the non-Muslims is prohibited and unjustifiable. Secondly, the owner of a lawful pet has to medically treat and feed it wisely. He should not lavish money on the pet; otherwise he will be a brother of Satan, as Allah (Exalted be He) says, Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayâtîn (devils), and the Shaitân (Devil-Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. (Part No. 26; Page No. 166) With regard to what is mentioned in the question that some people intentionally ask the veteran to perform unnecessary surgeries for their pets just for fun or vanity, it is definitely prohibited. They change the creation of Allah or disfigure the pet. This act is induced by Satan, as Allah says, Allâh cursed him. And he [Shaitân (Satan)] said: "I will take an appointed portion of your slaves. Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allâh. When he saw a donkey with a branded face, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, May Allah curse the one who branded it. (Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih.) Furthermore, it is a waste of money and an unnecessary luxury that conflicts with the teachings of Islam. A Muslim should be wise in spending money and using lawful things. This worldly life should not be his main concern and ultimate end, as Allah describes His pious servants saying, And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes). (Part No. 26; Page No. 167) If this is the case with lawful things, then what about unlawful ones?! On the Day of Resurrection, everyone will be asked how he earned and how he spent each penny he got in his life.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!