Kindness to Animals in Islam

"We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures."

Quran 21:107

Kindness to Animals in Islam

The aim of this presentation is not necessarily a religious one.

Its purpose is to shed a light on a remarkable person who advocated for animal rights at a time when new born girls were buried alive...

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Biodiversity

One of the best examples of respect for all living creatures is Noah's ark.

God asked Noah to preserve life by carrying a pair of each living creature and save them from the flood.

Quran and Bible

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Animal species

Islam preaches thinking and acting in the positive terms ofaccepting all species as communities just like us in their own right and not to judge them according to our human norms and values.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Concern for all beings

Humans, as the principal primates of this world, are responsibile for protecting all creatures in the spirit of a positive philosophy of life.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Abolishing cruelty

Islam declared that the infliction of any unnecessary and avoidable pain "even to a sparrow or any creature smaller than that as a sin for which the culprit would be answerable to God on the Day of Judgment.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Emotional suffering

Prevention of physical cruelty is not enough ; mental and emotional cruelty are equally important. I

"Who has hurt the FEELINGS of this bird by taking its young? Return them to her." Prophet Mohammad said to his mates when he saw a grieving mother bird fly above him.(Narrated by Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah bin Mas'ud. Muslim.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Imprisonmet of animals

The Prophet told his companions of a woman who would be sent to Hell for having locked up a cat; neither feeding it, nor releasing it so that it could feed itself.

(Narrated by Abdullah bin 'Omar. Bukhari,

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Preventing starvation

The Prophet told his companions of a servant who was blessed by Allah for saving the life of a dog by giving it water to drink and quench its thirst.

(Narrated by Abu Huraira. Muslim, Vol. 4, Hadith No. 2244. Also Bukhari

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Branding

The prophet forbade striking the face or branding on the face of animals.…He said, when he saw a mule which had been branded : "God curse the one who branded it."

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Neglect

"The Prophet was seen wiping the face of his horse with his gown (jullabiyah). When asked why he was doing that, he replied: 'Last night I was reprimanded by Allah for having neglected my horse .'"

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Burdening

If the Prophet saw, any animal over-burdened or ill fed he would speak mildly to the owner and say, “Fear God in your treatment of animals.”

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Stories from the Prophet

There was also a story of the Prophet cutting off his shirt sleeve rather than disturb the cat sleeping on it when it was time for prayers.

A companion of the Prophet was given the name Abu Hurairah. means 'father of the cats' because wherever he goes, he always had a kitten with him

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Stories from the Prophet

On the way to a battle, the Prophet's army marched towards Makkah, they passed a female dog with puppies. The Prophet not only gave orders that the mother dog and puppies should not be hurt or disturbed, but posted a man to see that this was done.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Stories from the Prophet

It was reported in a hadith (Muslim religious text) that once the Prophet entered a garden and saw a camel which came crying to him. The Prophet approached the camel and rubbed off its tears and asked, "Who is the owner of this camel". The owner replied "It is mine." The Prophet then said "Don't you fear Allah in these animals which the Almighty made you owners of? Indeed your animal complained to me that you starve and overwork it"

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Caged birds

The Prophet also mentioned "To catch birds and imprison them in cages without any special purpose is considered abominable." Hence if you have birds living in cages, set them free.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Animal fighting

Prophet Muhammad forbade blood sport (like cock fighting, animal fighting) which is cruelty to the animals. The Prophet also forbade his Muslim followers to hunt for sports, like shooting birds and animals with bows and arrows.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Any Good deed

A good deed done to a beast is as good as doing good to a human being; while an act of cruelty to a beast is as bad as an act of cruelty to human beings" Prophet Mohammad

(Mishkat al-Masabih; Book 6; Chapter 7, 8:178

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Consumption of meat

Do not allow your stomachs to become graveyardsProphet Muhammad, Hadith

There is no suggestion in the Qur'an or in any other of the Islamic sources that eating meat is good for physical or spiritual health.

Islam's approach in this matter is neutral; it has left the choice to the individual, but those who opt to eat meat are urged in the Qur'an to eat in moderation. (The Qur'an 7:31; 5:87 and other verses).

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Consumption of meat

Furthermore, there are elaborate and stringent laws governing the overall treatment of animals used for food - their rearing and breeding; the pre-slaughter; and handling during and after slaughter which are humane and reduce suffering .. However, Prophet Muhammad did not advocate ‘daily meat eating’,

In the old days most Muslims used to eat meat – if they were wealthy or middle class – once a week on Friday. If they were poor – on the Eids.

Kindness to Animals in Islam - Dogs

There is hardly a domestic animal more ill-treated worldwide, than dogs.

Although, some say, it was not popular to have dogs in Muslim houses at the time of the prophet, Most probably because rabies was widely spread at the time, there are other sayings of the prophet praying near puppies in Mecca.

The usefulness of this creature is indisputable. No other animal can compete with it in its loyalty to its caregiver, its abilities as a guard and its talent for hunting, or simply being a companion.

Kindness to Animals in Islam - Dogs

In fact, in the chapter “The Cave”, the Quran reveals the story of seven youngChristians who took refuge in a cave from the persecution and violence of the unbelievers of their day.

That these righteous people ( the seven sleepers) had a dog with them, and the fact that Allah mentions the dog and counts the dog among them, indicates that dogs are permitted to live among people.

Kindness to Animals in Islam - Dogs

In His book “ The Search for Beauty in Islam”Khalid Abul Fadl, A professor of Islamic law at the University of Yale dissects , analyzes and negates the myth of forbidding dogs in Islam houses.

For those who wish to read more about it, this is the link:

http://www.scholarofthehouse.org/tloofesfaond.html

It will be the best you will ever read about the subject.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Ants

In a demonstration of unparalleled care towards animals no matter their size or significance, a companion of the Prophet name Adiyi bin Hatim used to take crumbs of bread and other foods and deposit them at the entry to ant holes so the ants could feed.

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Caging animals

"The Prophet said: 'It is a great sin for man to imprison those animals which are in his power'." (Muslim)

Kindness to Animals in Islam- Human and animal rights

A non believer was whining that Mohammad was teaching about womens rights. so he said (jokingly); "Next, he'll be saying camels have rights !"

His friend replied "He already has... Apparently we have to be kind to them."

Kindness to Animals in Islam

Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself.

The Prophet Muhammad : Hadith

Kindness to Animals in Islam

Had people been living by these teachings, there would have been no need for animal rights activists or organizations.