Ruling on Praying with Cat Hair on Clothes

Question

A person was performing a prayer and found cat hair on their clothes afterward. They suspect it is cat hair because they sat in a place where cats usually sit. What is the ruling on their prayer? [AR_ID:5452]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you,

Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

Firstly, cat hair is pure. Regarding the ruling on praying with it, there are three scenarios:

1. If one knows before the prayer that there is cat hair on their clothes: It is not permissible to pray if there is more than one hair, and it is recommended to avoid even a single hair.

2. If one discovers after the prayer that there was hair: The prayer is valid.

3. If one realizes during the prayer that there is hair: It must be removed immediately during the prayer, and the prayer remains valid.

Secondly, the general rule regarding parts of animals whose meat is not permissible to eat is:

- The clothing of the person praying should not be from parts of predatory animals or any animal whose meat is not permissible to eat. It is obligatory to avoid such clothing, and it is also recommended to avoid even a single hair from such animals on the clothing, although it is not obligatory. However, one must avoid their excrement, urine, sweat, and milk if the clothing is stained with them. Carrying parts of such animals, like putting them in a container and carrying them in a pocket, is permissible.

- If one prays while unaware that their clothing is from an animal whose meat is not permissible, the prayer is valid. The same applies if it was forgotten or if one was ignorant of the ruling. However, one must repeat the prayer if they were ignorant due to negligence.

- If there is doubt about the clothing or anything on it being from an edible or non-edible animal, the prayer is valid. Therefore, unless one is certain it is from a non-edible animal, it is permissible to pray in it.

Source: The Office of His Eminence Sayyid Sistani in Lebanon + Al-Urwah Al-Wuthqa, Vol. 1, Conditions of the Prayer Attire, Fourth + Contact with the Office in Lebanon + Minhaj Al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - Prayer Attire - Fourth + 523 + 524

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Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

Firstly, cat hair is pure. Regarding the ruling on praying with it, there are three scenarios:

1. If one knows before the prayer that there is cat hair on their clothes: This invalidates the prayer.

2. If one discovers after the prayer that there was hair: The prayer is valid.

3. If one realizes during the prayer that there is hair: It must be removed immediately during the prayer, and the prayer remains valid.

Secondly, the general rule regarding parts of animals whose meat is not permissible to eat is:

- The clothing of the person praying must not be from parts of non-edible animals. Even a single hair from such an animal on the body or clothing invalidates the prayer.

- If there is pure moisture, such as saliva or nasal mucus from a non-edible animal like a cat on the body or clothing, the prayer is invalid unless it has dried up. The prayer is also invalid if there is waste from a non-edible bird on the body or clothing. However, if it dries up, the prayer is valid.

- Praying in clothing that one doubts is from an edible or non-edible animal is valid. Therefore, unless one is certain it is from a non-edible animal, it is permissible to pray in it.

Source: Answers to Inquiries - Prayer - Prayer Attire - Q441 + Special Inquiry + Message on Prayer and Fasting - Prayer - Conditions of Prayer Attire - Must not be from parts of non-edible animals

May you be successful in all good.