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All of Allah’s (SWT) creations deserve respect be it humans or animals and our faith teaches us to treat animals compassionately and not abuse them. The Holy Quran, Hadith, and Islamic history provide us the proper guidance for the treatment of animals.
The Holy Quran states the following in Surah Ar-Rehman Ayat 10, “And the earth, He has assigned it to all living creatures”. This indicates that Allah (SWT) has made the earth for the use of both humans and animals. The importance of animals in Islam is evident from the fact that Allah (SWT) has named six Surahs of the Holy Quran out of 114 after them.
Allah (SWT) tells us that animals are also His miracles and every creature knows its purpose, “And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord, they will be gathered.” (Surah Al-Anam, Ayat 38) Also, this Ayat shows that Allah (SWT) records everything that human beings, animals, birds, and other species do in the Loh-e-Mahfooz.
In Surah An-Nur Ayat 41, “Do you not see that Allah is exalted by whoever is within the heavens and the earth and [by] the birds with wings spread [in flight]? Each [of them] has known his [means of] prayer and exalting [Him], and Allah is Knowing of what they do.”, Allah (SWT) explains to us that the birds while flying glorify their Lord and worship Him. Furthermore, Allah (SWT) has guided every creature to its way of worshipping Him.
Every living creature in this universe has a value and purpose and thus, Islam established animal rights long before the Western World recognized even human rights.
Let’s explore some of the Hadith and Sunnah regarding animal rights taught by our Nabi (SAW). The Holy Prophet (SAW) prohibited animal cruelty, “Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment.” And our Nabi (SAW) also stated, “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.”
Once a Sahaba asked the Prophet (SAW),” O Allah’s Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He replied: “There is a reward for serving any living being.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Before Islam, people used animals for target practice but the Prophet (SAW) banned taking a living thing as a shooting target (Jamiat-Tirmidhi 1475). Another example of kindness for animals by our Nabi (SAW) was when he passed by a camel that was so thin that its back had almost reached its stomach. He said, “Fear Allah in these beasts who cannot speak.” (Abu Dawud)
While on a journey with the Prophet (SAW), a group of the Sahaba in the absence of our Nabi (SAW) 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 (SAW) returned, he said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its young? Return them to her.” (Sahih Muslim)
Our Nabi (SAW) passed by a man who was dragging a sheep by its ear, the Prophet (SAW) directed the man, “Leave its ear and hold it by the sides of its neck”. (Sunan Ibn-e-Majah) Pulling an animal by the ears is more painful than pulling it by the neck.
The Prophet (SAW) banned the mutilation and cutting off a part of a live animal. He (SAW) cursed the person who did Muthla to an animal (i e., cut its limbs or some other part of the body while it is still alive). (Sahih Bukhari)
It is evident from the above-cited verses from Holy Quran and the few examples from the Sunnah that Islam is compassionate and merciful towards not only humans but animals too. Therefore, the humane treatment of animals as ordained by Allah (SWT) and our Nabi (SAW) is compulsory for all believers. Furthermore, we need to ask ourselves if we have done enough for the conservation and protection of wildlife and their habitat.
