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The Animals' Rights in Islām

Mashhoor M. AlSuhaibi

When we observe the vicious raged campaigns against Islām and its noble values claiming that Islām is founded on violence and terror, we can disprove this by displaying the nobility of the Islāmic discourse, its compatibility and universality, which has clarified the rights that are founded on leniency and mercy toward others even if the other is a dumb animal.


This article shows that Islam has preserved the animal’s right, and asserted that the punishment of violating it is stringent. Certainly, assaulting against man and violating his rights leads to a more severe punishment. So after all that, will the violence and terrorism pretension still be sound?

The Prophet’s (PBUH) mercy to animals was practically manifested in his daily behavior and genuine guidance to his companions.


Sahl ibn Amr known as Ibn Al-Hanzaliyyah (RAA) reported:

The Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) happened to pass by a camel whose belly was sticking to its back (because of hunger), whereupon he said: “Fear Allāh in respect of these dumb (animals). Ride them while they are fit, and slaughter them and eat their meat when they are fit.” (Abu Dawood, declared sound by Al-Albani)


Narrated ibn Umar (RAA): The Prophet (PBUH) said: “A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.” (Al-Bukhāri and Muslim)


Mercy is manifested even in slaughtering the animals


On the authority of Abu Ya’la Shaddad ibn Aws (RAA), that the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) said: “Verily Allāh has prescribed ihsan (proficiency, perfection) in all things. So if you kill then kill well; and if you slaughter, then slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.” (Muslim)


A man laid a ram down to slaughter it while he was sharpening his blade, the Prophet (PBUH) told him: “Do you want to make it die several deaths? Shouldn’t you sharpen your blade before laying it down?” (As-Sahih Al-Musnad, declared sound by Al-Wad’ee and Al-Albani)


Saeed ibn Jubair reported that Ibn Umar (RAA) happened to pass by some young men of the Quraish who had tied a bird (and made it a target) at which they had been shooting arrows. Every arrow that they missed came into the possession of the owner of the bird. So no sooner did they see Ibn Umar they went away. Thereupon Ibn Umar said: Who has done this? Allāh has cursed him who does this. Verily Allāh's Messenger (PBUH) invoked curse upon one who made a live thing as a target. (Muslim)


Do not even terrify animals


Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (RAA):

We were with the Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) during a journey. He went to ease himself. We saw a bird with her two young ones and we captured her young ones. The bird came and began to spread its wings. The Messenger of Allāh (PBUH) came and said: “Who grieved this for its young ones? Return its young ones to it. He also saw an ant village that we had burnt. He asked: Who has burnt this? We replied: We. He said: It is not proper to punish with fire except the Lord of fire.” (Abu Dawood, declared sound by Al-Albani)



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