Throughout the centuries cats have earned a revered and beloved position is Islamic societies. From Prophet Muhammad’s reputed love of them to their connection to the jinn.
A thread-
A thread-
Prophet Muhammad’s love of cats is a popular memory in several biographic accounts.
Two famous, though contested, accounts state once Muhammad was praying when a kitten fell asleep on his sleeve.
Rather than wake it, he cut the sleeve.
Two famous, though contested, accounts state once Muhammad was praying when a kitten fell asleep on his sleeve.
Rather than wake it, he cut the sleeve.
In another tale, Muhammad is said to have changed the entire course of the march of his warriors around a breastfeeding cat.
He adopted the kitten and named it Muezza
He adopted the kitten and named it Muezza
Among the companions of Muhammad one was known as Abu Hurairah, the Father of the Kitten.
He earned his nickname for his deep fondness for cats. Reputedly he even kept a kitten in his sleeve and it could be heard purring contentedly.
He earned his nickname for his deep fondness for cats. Reputedly he even kept a kitten in his sleeve and it could be heard purring contentedly.
But cats also earned a reputation for mischief. The jinn were said to take cat form to interact and observe humans
Damiri citing Tirmidhi tells a tale of a ghul jinn who would take the form of a cat to steal dates from a merchant until the Prophet taught him a protective prayer
Damiri citing Tirmidhi tells a tale of a ghul jinn who would take the form of a cat to steal dates from a merchant until the Prophet taught him a protective prayer
The jinn king Barqan is believed to take cat form to observe humans.
He often rewards or punishes people based off how they treat small animals.
He often rewards or punishes people based off how they treat small animals.
According to the 16th century scholar al Sha’rani, jinn in the form of cats would sit in on his lectures in order learn.
Some even carried scrolls with their questions on them.
Some even carried scrolls with their questions on them.
Cats also hold a special place in Islamic history.
Masudi relates a fascinating tale of how Sultan Harun ibn Musa when confronting a mighty army with war elephants concealed a small kitten in his cloak
Masudi relates a fascinating tale of how Sultan Harun ibn Musa when confronting a mighty army with war elephants concealed a small kitten in his cloak
He charged the elephants then let the cat out of his cloak startling the elephants into turning tail and fleeing
So beloved were cats the 13th century Mamluk Sultan, al Zahir Baybars endowed an entire garden to cats in Cairo charging those who came after him to take care of the cats for centuries
Cats would even decorate various works of art. Talismanic images to ward off the evil eye and decorative pieces are found throughout the Islamic world.
For more on cats in Islamic art check out @stephenniem’s thread
For more on cats in Islamic art check out @stephenniem’s thread
https://twitter.com/stephenniem/status/1189245496512143360
There are slightly darker tales of cats as well.
Among some legends, the qarin or jinn companion takes cat form to wander around at night.
According to Zwemer, Egyptian moms are extra careful not to let a black cat near their newborn late at night for this fear
Among some legends, the qarin or jinn companion takes cat form to wander around at night.
According to Zwemer, Egyptian moms are extra careful not to let a black cat near their newborn late at night for this fear
Yet on the whole the love of cats is ubiquitous in Islamic history
They were and are lovable mischievous creatures in Islamic societies
They were and are lovable mischievous creatures in Islamic societies
For more on cats and Islamic art!
https://twitter.com/MENALibAHS/status/1027215348347666432
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