Epigraph: “And We (Allah) have sent thee (Muhammad) not but as a mercy for all the worlds.” (Al Quran 21:108)
Humming bird
Prophet Muhammad’s Kindness to Animals
By Aisha Stacey (© 2010 IslamReligion.com) Published on 22 Mar 2010
The Holy Prophet Muhammad was the embodiment of mercy, he showed compassion to all those around him, family, orphans, friends, strangers and even enemies. He also treated the environment and animals with respect and mercy. He taught his followers that because animals were part of God’s creation they should be treated with dignity and due care.
The traditions of the Prophet Muhammad remind us that humankind was put on this earth to be the custodian of God’s creation. Treating animals with kindness and mercy is just one of the responsibilities embedded in that custodianship. Prophet Muhammad’s words and behavior make it clear that causing defenseless creatures pain and suffering is not only completely unacceptable, but we will also be answerable to God for such actions.
“If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will cry out on the Day of Judgment, “O Lord! That person killed me in vain! He did not kill me for any useful purpose.”[1]
The Prophet, may peace be on him, said, “Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, God will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment.” The listeners asked, “O Messenger of God, what is a just cause?” He replied, “That he will kill it to eat, not simply to chop off its head and then throw it away.”[2]
Islam expects humankind to treat all animals (all living creatures – birds, sea creatures, and insects) with respect and dignity. Prophet Muhammad continuously advised people to show kindness. He forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily.[3] 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.”[4]
Read further to find additional Hadiths on the subject
References
[1] Sunnan An Nasai
[2] Ibid
[3] Saheeh Muslim
[4] Abu Dawood.
Categories: Islam, Muhammad, Prophet Muhammad
Let’s not forget the Quranic verse, 51:20, as pointed out by the Promised Messiah (on him be peace) in The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam:
“In their wealth those who ask and those who are unable to ask have a right. By those who are unable to ask are meant animals such as dogs, cats, sparrows, oxen, donkeys, goats and others that cannot
express their needs in words.”