What is the ruling on buying and raising cats as pets if they are not available through other means, especially when desiring a specific breed that can only be obtained through purchase, and in a Western country?

It is permissible to raise and care for cats, and the Companion Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to care for them. Scholars have unanimously agreed on the permissibility of keeping cats.

As for the ruling on buying cats, the majority of scholars, including the four madhhabs, have permitted the buying and selling of domestic cats. They base this on the hadith of the woman who entered Hellfire because of a cat, and that the original meaning of the lam "lahā" (in "lahā al-milk" - ownership belongs to her) implies ownership, and whatever is owned and beneficial may be sold.

The Zahiris and some scholars, however, have gone to the extent of prohibiting the selling or buying of cats, basing this on the hadith of Jabir regarding the prohibition of the price of a dog and a cat (sinnawr).

The majority of scholars responded to the hadith of prohibition with several answers: 1. The weakness of the addition mentioning "al-sinnawr" (cat) in the hadith. 2. That the intent of the hadith is the "wild cat," not domestic cats. 3. That the prohibition is one of dislike (karaha), so that people may be lenient in giving cats away without selling them.

In conclusion, there is doubt regarding the authenticity of the hadith prohibiting the sale of cats (sinnawr). Even if it were authentic, it would be interpreted in the ways mentioned by the majority, such as being for tanzīh (to deem something undesirable but not strictly forbidden). It is important to note that there should be no exaggeration or extravagance in acquiring and caring for cats.