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Question
Is it permissible to kill insects that may be found in the house, such as ants, cockroaches and the like, by burning them? If it is not permissible, what should we do?
Answer
Praise be to Allah.If these insects are harmful, they may be killed with
insecticides, but not with fire. The Messenger
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “There are five pests that may be killed whether one is in ihraam or not:
rats, scorpions, crows, kites [a hawk-like bird], and mad dogs.” (Reported by Muslim,
2071). Another report adds a sixth, snakes. Thus the Prophet
(peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) told us that they are harmful pests, and that they are unlike other
animals which do not do harm, and so he told us to kill them whether we are in ihraam or
not. If other creatures, such as ants or cockroaches or dung-beetles, cause harm, they may
also be killed with insecticides, but not with fire. And Allaah knows best.
Source: IslamQA (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)