Is It Permissible to Keep Guinea Pigs or Hamsters as Pets?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

Is it permissible to keep guinea pigs or hamsters as pets?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I’m unaware of any interdiction against keeping hamsters as pets. Treat them well, and intend pleasing Allah by looking after His creation in whatever capacity you are able. Your spending on the hamster and its needs would be a form of voluntary charity and rewarded, insha’Allah.

Please also see this answer.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.