Ruling on killing ants unintentionally

4-4-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

Asalam o Alaikum!! if some insects like ants are killed under our feet walking, cleaning house, or by any other way not having an intention to kill them but killed due to they are large in number and spread everywhere? What's the ruling on it? Is it equal to killing of a man?
Answer:

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

We have explained in Fataawa 87944 and 84945 that it is impermissible to kill ants on purpose as long as they cause no harm. But if the ants are harmful, it is permissible to kill them.

At times when it is impermissible to kill ants (if they are harmless) and a person mistakenly kills them, then there is no harm in that. Allaah, The Exalted, says (what means): {… And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 33:5] Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him reported that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Verily, Allaah has forgiven my nation for mistakes and forgetfulness, and what they are forced to do under duress.” [Ibn Maajah - Al-Albaani: graded it Saheeh (sound)]

Undoubtedly, killing ants, even if it is forbidden, is not compared to killing a human being which is one of the grave major sins.

Allaah Knows best.

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