- Category: ,PROPHET ﷺ
- Language: ENGLISH
- Format: DOC
The Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) concept of kindness to animals is based on a balanced view that combines the benefit of human beings and mercy to animals. It is a concept that does not allow cruelty, misuse, or absolute expediency. At the same time, it does not ignore the human needs for food and living conditions that require use of animals. Thus, as Islam does not allow misuse of, harming overburdening animals, it does not incline to accept the contemporary animal Humane Societies which call for preventing the killing of animals totally under the pretext of protecting their rights.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) made treating animals with compassion a door to reward and entering Paradise. In contrast, he made cruelty to animals as one of the causes that lead to Hell.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, “While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, ‘This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?” He replied, “Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate.”
In addition, it was reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, “A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.”
