Sheba
The above image is of my friend SHEBA (short haired Hymalayan cat,) a real snob! Every blog should have an image so why not Sheba in her advisory pose.
Status of Animals in Islam and the Muslim World
A friend of mine asked me why animals are often mistreated in some Muslim countries, her experience comes from living in Kuwait. Sad to say but I have seen people mistreat animals in every corner of the world.
In
Islam, mistreating an animal is considered a sin. Below are many examples and directives from the Quran and the practices of the Prophet Muhammed on how Muslims should treat animals. If you are a Muslim than this is just a little reminder, and if you are a non-Muslim and you see a Muslim mistreating an animal or their pets please use these examples to help them in being kind. Often a little reminder goes a long way to help humanity.
This is just a general thought on this topic, and this is purely because I am a cat lover, that does not mean I do not feel pain when I see a dog being mistreated.
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 describes animals as creation of Allah that follow 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 are a reminder that animals
are living creatures with feelings and connections to the larger spiritual and
physical world, their lives are 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 haddiths (saying of the prophet) which instruct Muslims about how to treat
animals. I have referenced these names which I hope will be helpful, there will be always some clever clogs cherry picking faults. So if you are not familiar to the traditions of Islamic text, often reference is provided in order for the reader to refer back to the authenticity.
Reward for mercy: It
is related from Abu Umama that Prophet Muhammed said,
"Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow,
Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment."
A rescued signet (baby swan)
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 Prophet Muhammed 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." (Abu Dawud)
Mental cruelty also forbidden: It
is related from AbdulRahman bin Abdullah that a group of Companions were once
on a journey with the Prophet, when 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." (Muslim)
Forgiveness of sins: It
is related from Abu Hurayra, the Prophet Muhammed, 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 Prophet Muhammed, once saw a donkey which had
been branded on its face and he said,
"May Allah curse the one who
branded it." (Muslim)
Give rest to beasts of burden: It
is related from Abu Hurayra that the Prophet Muhammed, 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)
Often donkeys like this poor thing are used for carrying loads this picture was taken in Fez
Pets
A
Muslim who chooses to keep a pet takes on the responsibility 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." (Muslim)
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. (Muslim)
·
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. (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)
·
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. (Tirmidhi)
Slaughter for Food
Islamic dietary law allows Muslims to eat meat. Certain animals are not
allowed to be used as food, such as Pigs, and animals that eat other animals; 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. A little note on Halaal its the same a Kosher. When animal is slaughtered it is important to remember that a Halal method requires that an animal can not see another animal being slaughtered in contrast to other methods shot on the head or electrocuted!
Cultural Misguidance
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. Advances are being made, but also bear in mind where there is poverty the standard of rights applied in the UK will not be practical to a place such as as south Asia.
"Whoever
is kind to the creatures of God, is kind to himself." -The Prophet
Muhammad
The Qur'an states that man has dominion over
animals: "He (God) it is Who made you vicegerents on earth." (Qur'an
35:39), but makes clear that this responsibility is not unconditional and
states what happens to those who misuse their freedom of choice and fail to
conform to the conditions that limit this responsibility: "then We reduce
him (to the status of) the lowest of the low." (Qur'an 95:4,5) ".they
are those whom Allah has rejected and whom He has condemned..because they
served evil" (Qur'an 5:63). ".they have hearts wherewith they fail to
comprehend, and eyes wherewith they fail to see, and ears wherewith they fail
to hear..Such (humans) are far astray from the right path. (Qur'an 7:179).
There are.people who take the concept of man's
dominion over animals as a licentious freedom to break all the established
moral rules designed to protect animal rights. Imam Ali has this to
say about (those who misuse their authority over the weak): "A savage and
ferocious beast is better than a wicked and tyrant ruler." (Maxims, see
Ref. No. 4, pp. 203, 381).
"And be not like those who say, 'we have
heard', while they do not hearken. Verily, the vilest of all creatures, in the
sight of Allah, are those deaf and dumb ones who do not use their
rationality." (Qur'an 8:21,22).
Muslims have often been advised by their mentors to
learn lessons from some species of animal. For example, Imam Ali
gives this piece of advice: "Be like a bee; anything he heats is clean,
anything he drops is sweet and any branch he sits upon does not break."
(Maxims of Ali;
A big Meow to you all
