Wants to Repent for Killing a Cat as a Child

29-1-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

When I was about 7 years old, I killed a cat for some reason. I don't remember what came over me but I ended up killing it. Can you tell me if I have sinned and what I should do? Is there any special Duaa' I can recite?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Since you committed such an action before attaining puberty, you are not blamed. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said, “The pen is raised for three: one who is sleeping until he wakes up; one who is insane until he becomes sane; and the child until he becomes pubescent.” [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
Anyway, we advise you to treat animals with kindness and to avoid hurting any animal without a just and genuine reason.
The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Don't take any living creature as a target (for amusement, for training…).” [Muslim]
Allah knows best.

www.islamweb.net