Pets in Islam
It is permissible to keep certain Animals as pets in Islam. However certain Animals are forbidden to be kept as pets such as dogs and pigs etc.
Al-Bukhaari (6203) and Muslim (2150) narrated that Anas (may Allaah be
pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) was the best of people in attitude. I had a brother who was called Abu
‘Umayr. He (the narrator) said: I think he said: He was a weanling. When the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came and saw
him, he said: “Abu ‘Umayr, what happened to the nughayr (nightingale)?” He
used to play with it
Islam enjoins us to be kind to not only humans but even animals. There is a severe warning against cruelty to animals.
Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) told us about a person who entered hellfire because of cruelty to a cat and He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) how a person entered heaven because of kindness to an animal.
This will be explained in more detail in the articles below.