Is It Sinful To Kill Spiders in One’s House?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
I’m unfortunately quite nervous with spiders. I’m able to pick up very small spiders and throw them out of the window. However, I’m too nervous and also unable to pick up larger spiders. Is it sinful if I squash and kill them?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
No, it would not be sinful to kill a spider in your house as there is no specific prohibition not to do so.
However, some contemporary scholars have affirmed that it may be superior to avoid killing them, when they are not harmful, and remove them by using some other means.
Please see also: The Ruling on Killing Pests & Harmful Insects
And Allah knows best.
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.