Is it permissible to kill household insects like ants and cockroaches by drowning or burning?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If insects cause harm, it is permissible to kill them using methods other than burning, such as pesticides. This is based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "(There are) five of the animals, all of them Fawasq (harmful), which may be killed in the lawful territory and in the sacred precincts: the crow, the kite, the mouse, the scorpion, and the rabid dog." In another narration, he mentioned: "and the snake." Insects similar to these, which cause harm, such as ants, cockroaches, and mosquitoes, may be killed in the lawful territory and in the sacred precincts if they are found to be harmful.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/26512
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 26512
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy