Fiqh al-Bī’ah and Animal Protection: A Ḥadīth-Based Study on the Prohibition of Cruelty to Cats

Abstrak

This study examines the prophetic prohibition against harming cats and situates it within the context of contemporary Indonesian animal protection laws. Utilizing a qualitative-descriptive method, the research analyzes hadiths relevant to environmental jurisprudence (fiqh al-bi’ah) and compares their ethical messages with Indonesia’s legal framework on animal welfare, particularly Law No. 18 of 2009, Law No. 41 of 2014, and Law No. 5 of 1990. The findings reveal that Islamic teachings emphasize compassion, ecological harmony, and moral accountability toward all living beings, including animals. These principles strongly resonate with modern legal norms that prohibit abuse, neglect, and cruelty, while requiring humans to ensure the physical and psychological well-being of animals. The analysis demonstrates that the ethical foundation of fiqh al-bi’ah not only aligns with state regulations but also enriches them by offering spiritual motivation for humane treatment. Therefore, this study concludes that integrating Islamic environmental ethics can significantly reinforce the effectiveness of Indonesian animal protection laws and promote a more sustainable, responsible, and humane ecological culture.