Rights of Animals in Islam
Islam has great regards for Animals and Muslims are supposed to respect the rights of Animals and treat them in the best Manner. People often ask what Prophet Muhammad SAW say about animals and animal sacrifice. Here is an attempt to answer the relationship Muslims have with animals.
Animal rights according to Quran:
Allah says in Quran,
“There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.”(Quran 6:38)
The Qur’an says that animals benefit humans in many ways and some animals which Allah has made halal to eat can be eaten.Allah says in Quran : 5-4, “Lawful for you are all good things, and [the prey] that trained [hunting] dogs and falcons catch for you.”
At the same time It is forbidden to kill any animal except for food or to prevent it from harming people.
Throughout history, Muslims have demonstrated their commitment to animal rights through various practices and traditions. From the Prophet Muhammad’s love for cats to the establishment of animal shelters and sanctuaries, Islam has a rich tradition of promoting compassion and empathy towards animals.
Let us read about the Rights of Animals in Islam
1)It is the Rights of Animals in Islam that they cannot be killed for game and leisure.
Hadeeth : Muhammad SAW has forbidden the killing of animals except for food. An-Nasa’i and Ibn Habban narrated that the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH):
“Whoever kills (even) a little bird unnecessarily, it will complain to God on the Day of Resurrection and say, ‘My Lord, so and so killed me in vain and did not kill me for a useful purpose’.”(Hadith in An-Nasa’i and Ibn Habban)
The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon 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) One of the rights of Animals in Islam is that should not be overburdened.
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.”(Abu Dawood)
One of Prophet Muhammad’s companions narrates,“We were on a journey and during the Prophet’s absence, we saw a bird with its two chicks; we took them. The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief. When Prophet Muhammad returned he said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its chicks? Return them to her.”(Shaheeh Muslim)
“Do not treat the backs of your animals as pulpits, for God Most high has made them subject to you only to convey you to a place which you could not otherwise have reached without much difficulty.”
3.There is a Reward of Serving the animals too-
The Companions said,”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.”(Bukhari)
4. Allah has Allowed Human to eat Certain Animals.
Allah says in Quran
” So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses.”(Quran 6:118)
“It is He who has subjected to you the ocean, so that you may eat its fresh fish.” (The Holy Qur’an 16:14). And again Allah says
“To hunt and eat the fish of the sea is lawful for you.” (The Holy Qur’an 5: 96)
5.When Sacrificing Animals,they should be put to ease.
Allah has ordained kindness (and excellence) in everything. If the killing (of animals) is to be done, do it in the best manner, and when you slaughter, do it in the best manner by first sharpening the knife, and putting the animal at ease.
(Muslim).
6 .It is not allowed to mutilate an Animal
Any part cut off a living animal is dead flesh.(Unlawful to eat. The implication is that it is not allowed to mutilate a living animal.)(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Hakim).
7 .People will be taken to account with regards to their treatment of Animals.
On the Day of Judgment, Allah will restore the rights of every creature including the animals. If we had violated the rights of an animal in the world, then Allah will take retribution on their behalf in the Hereafter.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
لَتُؤَدُّنَّ الْحُقُوقَ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُقَادَ لِلشَّاةِ الْجَلْحَاءِ مِنْ الشَّاةِ الْقَرْنَاءِ
The rights of everyone will be restored on the Day of Resurrection until justice is fulfilled, even between the hornless sheep and the horned sheep.Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2582, Grade:Sahih
8 .There is a Reward of Charity in the kind treatment of Animals.
It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for charity even for the animals?”
The Prophet said:
فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ
In every living being there is a reward for charity.Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5663, Grade:Muttafaqun Alayhi
9. Kindness to Animals Pleases Allah
غُفِرَ لِامْرَأَةٍ مُومِسَةٍ مَرَّتْ بِكَلْبٍ عَلَى رَأْسِ رَكِيٍّ يَلْهَثُ قَالَ كَادَ يَقْتُلُهُ الْعَطَشُ فَنَزَعَتْ خُفَّهَا فَأَوْثَقَتْهُ بِخِمَارِهَا فَنَزَعَتْ لَهُ مِنْ الْمَاءِ فَغُفِرَ لَهَا بِذَلِكَ
Allah had once forgiven a prostitute. She passed by a dog panting near a well. Seeing that thirst had nearly killed him, she took off her shoe, tied it to her scarf, and drew up some water. Allah forgave her for that.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3143
10 . We should keep the animals under our Possession Well Fed and Well Kept
Abdullah ibn Ja’far reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, entered a garden among the Ansar. When a camel saw the Prophet, it started weeping and making sounds as its tears flowed. The Prophet came to it and patted it on the head, so it became silent. The Prophet said:
مَنْ رَبُّ هَذَا الْجَمَلِ لِمَنْ هَذَا الْجَمَلُ
Who is the master of this camel? To whom does it belong?
A young man from the Ansar came and said, “This is mine, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said:
أَفَلَا تَتَّقِي اللَّهَ فِي هَذِهِ الْبَهِيمَةِ الَّتِي مَلَّكَكَ اللَّهُ إِيَّاهَا فَإِنَّهُ شَكَا إِلَيَّ أَنَّكَ تُجِيعُهُ وَتُدْئِبُهُ
Do you not fear Allah regarding this animal that Allah has put in your possession? Verily, she has complained to me that you keep her hungry and tired.
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2549, Grade:Sahih
11 . Rights of Animals: Mistreatment of Animals is a Sin
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)
12 . Caging of Animals is Sin
“It is a great sin for man to imprison those animals which are in his power.”(Muslim)
13.Rights of Animals :Animals Baiting and Blood Sports are forbidden in Islam
“The worst of shepherds is the ungentle, who causes the beasts to crush or bruise one another.”(Muslim)
It says in another hadeeth which was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not use anything in which there is a soul as a target.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1957).
Abusing the rights of an animal was not taken lightly in Islam . It is important in this modern age where animals are seen as profitable commodities, as ‘dumb beasts’ with little rights that this Sunnah is rectified. This means not only treating animals compassionately in our daily lives but making sure that any meat we eat has also come from an animal that has been treated well.
Do Treat Animals Well and Keep the Admin of the Post in your Precious Duas . Jazak Allahu Khair.
Asalam o alikum very good brief and informative
My mother in law spends thousands of dollars every month on caring for over 25 cats in her house. I say that is wrong when there are so many humans starving in the world.