No, the concept of a cat being "pure Shia" is inaccurate. The question conflates religious purity (ritually clean) with sectarian affiliation (Shia Islam). Islamic jurisprudence, including within Shia Islam, considers cats to be ritually pure (tahir). This means that contact with a cat does not necessitate ritual purification (like wudu).
Islamic Law and Cats
Multiple sources within Shia and broader Islamic scholarship confirm cats' ritual purity. This contrasts with animals like dogs, which are considered impure (najis) in Islamic law. The belief in the purity of cats is widespread, evident in their prevalence as pets in Muslim-majority countries and their acceptance even within mosques.
- Ritual Purity: Islamic texts and rulings across various schools of thought, including Shia, classify cats as ritually pure. This means their presence doesn't invalidate prayers or rituals. Contact with a cat doesn't require ritual washing.
- Shia Scholarly Consensus: Websites like Al-Islam.org and the office of Ayatollah Sistani (a prominent Shia authority) confirm that cats are considered pure. Discussions on forums like ShiaChat.com reflect this consensus. Examples include rulings that cat hair does not invalidate prayers and that adopting cats is permissible.
- Contrast with Dogs: The distinction is crucial. Unlike cats, dogs are often considered impure in Islamic law, requiring purification after contact.
While cats are considered ritually pure in Islam, this has nothing to do with their adherence to any specific Islamic sect like Shia Islam. The concept of religious purity within Islamic jurisprudence is unrelated to sectarian affiliation.
