On a Sunday morning, during a chat over coffee with a good friend of mine, he told me how much he liked and cared about animals.  Most mornings, he would take a few slices of bread, place them in the garden and enjoy the view of the variety of birds that came to feed.  The most interesting part was the surprised reaction of his neighbour, who asked: “Are you really a Muslim?? I heard that Muslims were cruel to animals!”  

My friend’s story made me smile since we are all aware of animal cruelty in all kinds and forms, from various religious and cultural backgrounds in different parts of the world.   After discussing the above story, my friend and I shared a few stories from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him); how he used to teach his companions to show compassion and love for these wonderful creatures, and alongside this, how he warned them from abuse or torture. 

Once Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), while travelling with his companions, saw a bird flapping its wings and flying in circles above him (in panic).  Prophet Muhammad asked: “Who has terrified this bird by abducting her chicks? Return the chicks to her!” In another narration, the Prophet mentioned that we will be rewarded when we plant a tree and from it; a bird, human, or animal finds it beneficial (for shade, fruit, firewood etc). To emphasise this point, the Prophet said: “If the Day of Judgement takes place, while a person is holding a palm tree seedling, then let him, if he can, plant it (in earth) before leaving this life”. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever does not show mercy, will not be shown mercy”.  Islam prohibits using animals as targets or branding; these are in fact evil sins.  This is based on the saying of the Prophet: “May Allah (Almighty God, in Arabic) curse a person who uses a living being for target practice”.  Prophet Muhammad once passed by a donkey that has been branded. He consequently made it clear that a person who brands an animal is cursed. Islam also prohibits the overloading or over burdening of animals.  Abu Aldarda’ (a companion of the Prophet) said to his camel (when it was about to die): “Do not report me to your Lord, since I have never overloaded you  ...” The Prophet said:  “Allah (the exalted and glorious) is gentle and He likes for us to be gentle (in every matter) … If you ever ride any of these animals, then provide them with rest” 

We read in the glorious Qur’an: “Allah has created every [living] creature from water. And of them are those that move on their bellies, and of them are those that walk on two legs, and of them are those that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent [The Qur’an, 24:45]. Also, “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.” [The Qur’an, 6:38]

By this, I hope the respected reader has become acquainted with the basic principles of animal rights in Islam, which are in line with the most advanced ideas of animal rights in modern times, and were legislated more than 1400 years ago …

Abdullah Al-Qenaei