Kind Treatment to Animals

Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) said: “While a man was walking on a road. he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself ‘This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did.’ So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume #8, Book #73, Hadith #38]



Animal Rights In Islam:

During the pre-Islamic era, not only the humans were treated unjustly but the animals also suffered the oppression. Later on, Islam not only came to lay down the rights for humans but has also laid down the rights for the animals. Animals, like humans are one of the creations of Allah (Subhaanahu wa ta'ala), they have their own emotions, desires and way of living like us.

Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) was not only sent as a mercy to mankind but also as a blessing to all creatures as Allah testifies in the Qur’an:

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”

[Surah Al-Anbiya: Chapter #21, Ayah #107]

Thus Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) was one of the original animal rights activists. He had great respect for them, protected them and encouraged all his followers to be responsible in the way they treated them. Unfortunately in our times, one of the forgotten “Sunnah” of the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) is that of compassion to all beings, including animals. So we should treat the animals with the same kindness that we show to the people around us.



How Should We Treat The Animals?

1. We should not be cruel to them.

Hisham bin Zaid narrated that Anas and I went to Al-Hakam bin Ayub. On the way Anas saw some boys shooting at a tied hen. Anas said: “The Prophet (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) has forbidden the shooting of tied or confined animals.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume #7, Book #67, Hadith #421]

2. We are instructed not to overburden the domestic animals.

Burdening an animal with more load than that which it can easily carry is again a wrongful practice which is forbidden.

Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) passed by a camel whose stomach quite touched its back (from lack of food). Upon seeing this he said: “Fear God in these unspeaking animals! Ride them while they are in good health, and feed them when they are in good condition.”

[Sunan Abu-Dawud: Book #14, Hadith #2542]

3. We should not imprison the animals.

Unfortunately, now a days caging of the birds has become widespread, we heartlessly cage the birds which in opposite are created by Allah to fly without having boundaries. If you have any birds caged at home, please think of setting them free, Allah (Subhaanahu wa ta'ala) will reward you tremendously! And if you know any friend of yours who keeps birds at home, advise him/her to set the birds free.

Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) said: “A lady was punished because of a cat which she had imprisoned till it died. She entered the (Hell) Fire because of it, for she neither gave it food nor water as she had imprisoned it, nor set it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume #4, Book #56, Hadith #689]

4. We should take care of them.

The people asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu 'alayhi wa'alihi wa'sallam) said: “There is a reward for serving any animate (living being).”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume #8, Book #73, Hadith #38]

So, if we find an injured animal laying on the road or wherever, we should take it immediately to veterinary OR if that is not possible then we should take it to our home and look after it (it isn’t difficult) OR if that is not possible either then we should put the injured animal/bird to a safer place and pray to Allah that He may heal it.

5. Benefits of Pets!

Scientific researches suggest that animals are known to have effects on human health. The best known effects of companion animals are:

i. Lowering of blood pressure under moderate stress.

ii. Relaxing effects of watching ornamental fish.

iii. Children who are brought up in the presence of animals show many benefits in the following:

Better non-verbal communication, high levels of self-esteem and social competence.

6. If you do not want to keep a pet your house, then you can still earn rewards from Allah (Subhaanahu wa ta'ala) through so many other means. For example,

* You can take a bowl (which is of no use for you), pour water in it and place it in your backyard or wherever open to allow birds to drink from it, it will not cause any mess and you can quench the thirst of so many animals and birds and in return you can get so many prayers from them!

* Similarly if you have any eatables left over, you can feed it to stray cats or birds, and again it will not cause any mess but you’ll earn Allah’s blessings!

Islam takes great care when laying down its rules and regulation and has made sure that men do not behave with cruelty towards the animals. Indeed Islam is a mercy for everyone. It is not only a religion but a complete way of life which even secures the rights of animals!



JAZAKALLAH