In
Islam, mistreating an animal is considered a sin. The Quran and
guidance from the Prophet Muhammad, as recorded in hadith, give many
examples and directives about how Muslims should treat animals.
Animal Communities
The
Quran describes that animals form communities, just as humans do:
"There is not an animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies
on its wings, but they form communities like you. Nothing have we
omitted from the Book, and they all shall be gathered to their Lord in
the end" (Quran 6:38).
The
Quran further describes animals, and all living things, as muslim - in
the sense that they live in the way that Allah created them to live, and
obey Allah's laws in the natural world. Although animals do not have
free will, they follow their natural, God-given instincts - and in that
sense they "submit to God's will," which is Islam. “Seest thou not that
it is Allah Whose praise all beings in the heavens and on earth do
celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one
knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise, and Allah knows well all that
they do.” (Quran 24:41)
These
verses remind us that animals are living creatures with feelings and
connections to the larger spiritual and physical world. We must consider
their lives as worthwhile and cherished. "And the earth, He has assigned it to all living creatures" (Quran 55:10).
Kindness to Animals
It
is forbidden in Islam to treat an animal cruelly, or to kill it except
as needed for food. The Prophet Muhammad often chastised his Companions
who mistreated animals, and spoke to them about the need for mercy and
kindness. Here are several examples of hadith which instruct Muslims
about how to treat animals.
Reward for mercy: It is related from Abu Umama that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment."
Animals
are like humans: “A good deed done to an animal is like a good deed
done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as
cruelty to a human being."
Animals
cannot speak up for themselves: It is related from Sahl ibn
Al-Handhaliyya that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, once passed by a camel that was so emaciated that its
back had almost reached its stomach. He said, "Fear Allah in these
beasts who cannot speak."
Mental
cruelty also forbidden: It is related from AbdulRahman bin Abdullah
that a group of Companions were once on a journey with the Prophet, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he left them for a while.
During his absence, they saw a bird with its two young, and they took
the young ones from the nest. The mother bird was circling above in the
air, beating its wings in grief, when the Prophet came back. He said,
"Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its young? Return them
to her."
Forgiveness
of sins: It is related from Abu Hurayra, from the Prophet, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, that a prostitute once saw a dog on a
very hot day going round and round a well, lolling its tongue because of
its thirst. She drew some water for it using her shoe, and for this
action all her sins were forgiven her. (Muslim)
Mistreatment
is a sin: It is related from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah, once
saw a donkey which had been branded on its face and he said, "May Allah
curse the one who branded it."
Give
rest to beasts of burden: It is related from Abu Hurayra that the
Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do not use the
backs of your animals as chairs. Allah has made them subject to you, so
that by them you can reach places that you would not otherwise be able
to reach except with great fatigue." (Abu Dawud)
Pets
A
Muslim who chooses to keep a pet takes on the responsbility of the
animal's care and well-being. They must be provided with appropriate
food, water, and shelter. The Prophet Muhammad described the punishment
of a person who neglected to care for a pet:
It
is related from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A woman was once punished
after death because of a cat which she had kept confined until it died,
and because of this she entered the Fire. She had neither given it food
or drink while confining it, nor had she let it free to eat the
creatures of the earth."
Hunting/Sport
In
Islam, hunting for sport is prohibited. Muslims may only hunt as is
needed to meet their requirements for food. This was common during the
time of the Prophet Muhammad, and he condemned it at every opportunity:
It
is narrated from Ibn Umar that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, cursed those who used any living thing as a target.
It
is related from Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, forbade inciting animals to fight one another.
It
is related from Abu Al-Darda' that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, forbade eating mujaththama animals, that
is, animals which have been tied up and shot with arrows.
Slaughter for Food
Islamic
dietary law allows Muslims to eat meat. Certain animals are not allowed
to be used as food, and when slaughtering, several guidelines must be
followed to minimize the animal's suffering. Muslims are to recognize
that when slaughtering, one is taking a life only by the permission of
Allah in order to meet the need for food.
Cultural Misguidance
As
we have seen, all animals are to be treated with respect and kindness.
Unfortunately, in some Muslim communities these guidelines are not
followed. Some people mistakenly believe that since humans needs take
priority, animal rights are not an urgent issue. Others find excuses to
mistreat certain animals, such as dogs. These actions fly in the face of
Islamic teachings, and the best way to combat such ignorance is through
education and good example. Individuals and governments have an
important role to play in educating the public about the care of
animals, and establishing institutions to support animal welfare.
"Whoever is kind to the creatures of God, is kind to himself." -The Prophet Muhammad
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