Is It Permissible to Buy, Use and Sell Materials Sourced from Mistreated Animals?

Answered by Shaykh Farid Dingle

Question

I have a question regarding coyote fur. I bought a jacket from the brand Canada Goose, and it’s made out of coyote fur. I wonder if this is permissible to wear since I’m not sure how the animals were treated to make the jacket. Is it better to sell it, and if I do sell the jacket, is it permissible for me to keep the money?

Answer

Cruelty to animals is a major sin and must be stopped. Using such materials is permissible, but buying and selling them is not permissible since it promotes further harm to animals.

If there is just a slim possibility that the animal was badly treated, then it would be permissible to use, buy and sell.

Cruelty to Animals

The prohibition of animal cruelty has been spelled out in the clearest terms in the teachings of Islam.

To begin with, the principle that underpins any Muslim’s interaction with the world and its inhabitants around him that that of kindness, genuine goodwill, and concern (rahma). The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Those who show kindness, the Most Merciful Himself shows them kindness. Be kind to those on Earth, and He in the Heavens shall show you kindness.” [Tirmidhi]

With specific reference to cruelty to animals, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “A woman entered Hell-Fire because of a cat that she tied up; she did not feed it nor did she let it loose to feed upon the vermin of the earth.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Likewise, Ibn Umar saw some boys who had tied down a chicken and were using it as a target. When they saw Ibn Umar, they ran away and left it behind. Ibn Umar said, “Who [on Earth] has done this?! The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) cursed whoever does this.” [Bukhari]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said, “If someone kills so much as a sparrow or anything larger without a just cause, then Allah Most High will question him concerning it on the Day of Resurrection.” [Nasa’i]

And the opposite is also true: kindness to animals is highly encouraged. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said about a man who spared a sheep from being slaughtered, “If you show kindness to the sheep, Allah will show kindness to you twofold.” [Bukhari, Al-Adab al-Mufrad]

So all of these hadiths, among many others, tell us in the clearest words that cruelty to animals is unquestionably abhorrent and forbidden.

Assisting in Sin

Buying and selling materials sourced from animals that have been treated cruelly fits under the general discussion on assisting in sin (al-i‘ana ‘ala al-haram). For details on this topic, please see:

Can I Provide Medical Treatment That May Assist in Sin?
Is It Permissible to Work at an Establishment That Sells Impermissible Food?

Conclusion

Using such furs and the like from animals that have been treated cruelly is permissible, but buying such things or selling them is not permissible because it results in further harm to animals.

In the specific case that you are asking about, it would seem that the company has explicitly stated that the coyotes are caught in a way that is not cruel. Please see:

Don’t Feel Bad about the Coyote Fur on Your Canada Goose Jacket

I pray this helps.

[Shaykh] Farid Dingle
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language