Is it a thawab to kill a lizard? A lizard is not a harmful animal; why is it permissible to kill it?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The only animals that are permissible to kill are those that are harmful and there is no other way to get rid of them.

In fact, no living creature that does not cause harm can be killed. The reason why it is said to permissible to kill a lizard with one blow is to ensure that it dies without causing any harm. Otherwise, it is not permissible to kill every lizard you see, nor is it good to do so. It is necessary to look for ways to get rid of it without causing harm. However, if there is no other way but to kill it, it should be killed with one blow so that the animal is not tormented.

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever kills a lizard with the first blow will get a hundred rewards. If he kills it with the second blow, he will get less. If he kills it with the third blow, he will get even less than that.” (Muslim, Salam 147 (2240); the text is from Muslim. Abu Dawud, Adab 175, (5263, 5264); Tirmidhi, Ahkam 1, (1482). In some of the Tirmidhi editions it is in Sayd, chapter 13).

EXPLANATION:

Vazagha is explained as a lizard in Akhtari. A lizard is a kind of reptile. The Messenger of Allah included it among the insects that cause harm to people by describing it as fuwaysiqa.

Fuwaysiqa means a small fasiq. The Messenger of Allah called those who caused harm as fasiq, apart from the majority of insects. The scholars agree unanimously that the lizard belongs to this group.

The purpose of killing it with one blow is to prevent it from being tormented because the animal may escape wounded without receiving a second blow, which would cause suffering to a living being. Accordingly, it is not permissible to kill animals that do not harm people. (see Kütüb-i Sitte, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Canan)

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