Fatwa No : 89150
Does Honey Remain Pure if a Cat Dies in a Drum of Honey?

Does Honey Remain Pure if a Cat Dies in a Drum of Honey?

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. Respected Mufti Sahib! I am engaged in the business of honey. I had stored approximately 100 kilograms of sidr honey in a drum for packing purposes, the value of which was around two hundred thousand. A cat fell into the drum and died inside it. However, there has been no change in the characteristics of the honey, and the cat was found lying on the surface of the honey. It could not be determined when the cat fell into it or how long it remained inside, because honey is thick in consistency. Since the cat died inside the honey, I am in severe distress. I humbly request your complete guidance regarding the following matters: 1) Has this large quantity of honey become Shariah-wise impure? 2) In this situation, what is the Shariah ruling for me? May Allah reward you all with goodness.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It should be understood that due to a cat falling into the drum of honey and dying therein, the said honey has become impure (najis). Therefore, it is better for the questioner to discard the honey and bear the loss. However, if bearing this loss is beyond one’s capacity, then the honey may be purified. The method of purification is as follows: add water to the drum equal in quantity to the honey present, then boil it over fire until the water completely evaporates and only the honey remains. This process should be repeated three times. By doing so, the honey will become pure, and thereafter its sale and use will be permissible according to Shariah.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

کما فی الدر:ويطهر ‌لبن وعسل ودبس ودهن يغلي ثلاثاً الخ
وفی الشامیۃ: تحت(قوله: ‌ويطهر ‌لبن وعسل إلخ) قال في الدرر: لو تنجس العسل فتطهيره أن يصب فيه ماء بقدره فيغلى حتى يعود إلى مكانه، والدهن يصب عليه الماء فيغلى فيعلو الدهن الماء فيرفع بشيء هكذا ثلاث مرات، وهذا عند أبي يوسف خلافا لمحمد وهو أوسع وعليه الفتوى كما في شرح الشيخ إسماعيل عن جامع الفتاوي الخ(مطلب فی تطھیر الدھن والعسل،ج:1،ص:334،ط:سعید)۔