Is it okay to have birds indoors in captivity? My kid wants birds so desperately that he said he can give up screen time completely just to get the birds as pets. He feels lonely as he does not have any siblings and wants someone to interact or play with. As a parent I would definitely want no screen time even tho it is very limited screen time right now. Given the situation, what do you suggest?
Bismillahi Ta’ala
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullah
It is permissible to keep birds in cages and captivity as long as one takes care of them and do not expose them to any harm. It can also be used as a mechanism to instill responsibility within children.
However, keep in mind that the general observation from children is that they will enjoy something new for a few days and then go back to their pattern of comfort. So make sure that they do not fall short of fulfilling the rights of the animals taken under one’s care. If the animals are mistreated or their basic needs are not maintained, then be ready to be held accountable in the court of Allah.
Many birds are born and bread in captivity, so letting them go in the wild may be detrimental to them. Be careful of this and continuously teach your child how to handle the responsibility properly, even after their initial enjoyment is completed.
Wallahu A’lam
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Faisal al-Mahmudi