No, wudu does not break if you touch a cat.
Detailed Explanation
Touching a cat does not invalidate wudu according to Islamic teachings. The focus for wudu breaking is on specific actions like bodily excretions, sleeping deeply, or other specific impurities. Simply touching a cat, which is considered a clean animal, does not fall under these conditions.
Supporting Evidence
- General Purity of Cats: Cats are considered to be ritually pure in Islamic tradition, unlike dogs and pigs. This is generally accepted amongst Muslims.
- Absence of Direct Prohibition: There is no explicit prohibition in the Quran or Hadith that states touching a cat breaks wudu.
- Historical Example: The provided reference emphasizes the fact that bodily fluids do not negate wudu; it says “it did not break your wudu”. In fact, it is well-known that Umar bin al-Khataab (رضي الله عنه) continued praying even though he was severely wounded (stabbed and bled profusely). This highlights that even substantial physical factors do not necessarily invalidate wudu. Thus, the simple act of touching an animal would not break it.
Practical Insights
- General Practice: Most Muslims do not consider touching a cat as a reason to redo wudu.
- Focus on Intention: The intention is not on the cat being "unclean" but on if the wudu was voided by actions like urination or defecation.
- Common Misconceptions: Some might confuse certain traditions that apply to certain animals or excretions but touching a cat is generally not included.
Summary
The act of touching a cat is not one of the things that nullifies wudu. The emphasis remains on actions like those that relate to personal purity and bodily functions rather than on the simple touching of a clean animal.
