What is the ruling on raising pigeons for commercial purposes or to benefit from their meat and eggs? And does the Prophet's (PBUH) likening of them to Satan in the Hadith: "A devil pursuing a she-devil" indicate their prohibition or detestability? What is the preponderant opinion among scholarly fatwas on this issue?

It is permissible to raise pigeons in homes for benefit and sale, as long as it does not harm neighbors or neglect the pigeons' rights. This is supported by the action of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in affirming Abu Umayr's playing with the small bird.

The hadith "a devil following a she-devil" indicates the detestability of being preoccupied with pigeons to the neglect of the remembrance of Allah. The devil is one who deviates from the truth and occupies himself with what does not concern him, and the she-devil is that which leads to heedlessness of the remembrance of Allah.

Keeping pigeons for breeding and eggs, or for companionship, or for carrying messages, is permissible without detestability. However, playing with them for flight is detestable, and if it is associated with gambling or the like, testimony is rejected.