Animals right in Islam

WE BEGIN WITH THE SAYING OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD(S.A.W):

May the Most Merciful have mercy on those who are merciful. Have mercy on those upon the earth, and He who is above the heaven will have mercy on you.” [Al-Jaami' (1924), Al-Sunan-ul-Kubraa (9/41); Al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat (893)]

 
THE MENTIONING OF ANIMALS, BIRDS ETC IN QURAN


Although there are over 50 verses alone in the Quran speaking about Animals or relating to Animals (insects, birds etc) and six chapters named after Animals

The traditions (hadeeth) of the prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) regarding animal rights are far more numerous in number and words thus making it not feasible to count every word or hadeeth like Quran.

Is there another Book of God or religion sharing this in their Religious book or Word of God (e.g Quran)?

"There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on its wings, but they are communities like you.". (Quran 6:38).


"See thou not that it is God Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And God knows well all that they do.  (The Noble Quran, 24:41)"


ALLAH GRANTED THE HELP OF ANIMALS TO PROPHETS


And Solomon was David's heir (ie he inherited from David his prophetic mission), and he (sulayman) said: 'O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds." (Quran 27:16).


The Quran tells us that God actually communicates with animals, as the following verse shows: And your Lord revealed to the bee, saying: 'make hives in the mountains and in the trees, and in (human) habitations'. (Quran 16:68).

The Quran uses the same Arabic word "Wahi" for God's revelation to all His Prophets, including the Holy Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w), as it has been used in the case of the bee..it proves the basic fact that animals have a sufficient degree of psychic endowment to understand and follow God's messages - a faculty which is higher than instinct and intuition


MAN AND ANIMAL SHARE THE SAME NATURAL RESOURCES

And do they not see that We meander water to a barren land and sprout forth from it crops, whereof their cattle as well as they themselves eat? Will they take no notice of it? (Quran 32:27).


We {God} brought forth from it {the earth} its waters and its pastures, and established the mountains firm - as a source of provision for you and for your animals. (Quran 79:31-33).

There is no doubt that the message includes all animals, not just domestic livestock, in whose welfare we have a vested interest: There is no moving creature on earth, but Allah provides for its sustenance. (Quran 11:6)


TRIBES WERE PUNISHED FOR BEING CRUEL TO ANIMALS AND NOT GIVING THEM THEIR RIGHTS

The Quran describes how the people of Thamud demanded that the Prophet Saleh(s) show them some sign to prove he was a prophet of God. (The tribe of Thamud were the descendants of Noah. They have also been mentioned in the Ptolemaic records of Alexander's astronomer of the 2nd century A.C.)

At the time of this incident, the tribe was experiencing a dearth of food and water and was, therefore, neglecting its livestock. It was revealed to Prophet Saleh(s) to single out a she-camel as a symbol and ask his people to give her her fair share of water and fodder. The people of Thamud promised to do that but, later, killed the camel. As a retribution, the tribe was annihilated. This incident has been mentioned in the Qur'an Majeed many times in different contexts.
(Quran 7:73, 11:64, 26:155, 156; 54:27-31).

read more
Prophet Salih (pbuh) : Disbelievers Plot to Kill the She-Camel (part 2)



THOSE WHO HARMED THE ANIMAL WILL BE PUNISHED


It was narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A woman entered Hell because of a cat which she tied up and did not feed, nor did she allow it to eat of the vermin (mice, insect, etc) of the earth.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3140; Muslim, 2242.]

It was narrated from Jaabir ibn Abd-Allaah that a donkey whose face had been branded passed by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he said, “May Allaah curse the one who branded him.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2217).

Abdullah ibn Umar reported: He attributed to the Prophet, peace be upon him, “If someone kills so much as a sparrow or anything larger without a just cause, then Allah the Exalted will ask him about it on the Day of Resurrection.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is a just cause?” He said, “A just cause is that you slaughter it for food, but you should not cut off its head and throw it aside.” [Sunan An-Nasa’i, Book of Sacrifices, Number 4445, Hasan]


DO NOT TIE UP ANY ANIMAL


It was narrated from Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he entered upon Yahyaa ibn Saeed and one of Yahyaa sons had tied up a hen and was shooting at it. Ibn Umar walked over to him and untied it, then he brought it and the boy and said, “Do not allow your boys to tie up birds in order to kill them, for I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbidding the tying up of animals or other creatures in order to kill them.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5195; Ahmad ibn Hanbal's Musnad, vol. 2, p. 103; Al-Darimy, no. 1973 and Muslim, 1958. The version narrated by Muslim says, “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed those who do that.”)



Prophet Muhammad said that if the smallest of birds is killed without its right and thrown away this act will be questioned as a crime

DO NOT USE AN ANIMAL FOR TARGET PRACTICE OR FUN-HUNTING SPORT

It is 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 (animals or human) as a target.”
(Ahmad, vol. 1, pp. 280, 285, 340, and 345; Muslim, vol. 3, p. 1549, no. 1957; Al-Nasa'y, vol. 7, pp. 238-239, nos. 4443-4444; Ibn Majah, vol. 2, p. 1063, no. 3187; Al-Tayalisy, vol. 4, p. 343, no. 2738, (verified: Muhammad Al-Turky); Ibn Hibban, vol. 12, p. 422, no. 5608; Abu Qasim Al-Baghawy, Al-Ja`diyat, vol. 1, p. 167, no. 485; Al-Bayhaqy, vol. 9, p. 75; and Abu Muhammad Al-Baghawy, Sharh Al-Sunnah, vol. 11, p. 222, no. 2784.)


The Prophet(s) passed by some children who were shooting arrows at a ram. He told them off, saying: 'do not maim the poor beast'." (Narrated by Abdallah bin Jafar. An-Nasai, 7:238).



DO NOT SLAUGHTER AN ANIMAL WITH CRUELTY


Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which hath been invoked the name of other than Allah; that which hath been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by being gored to death; that which hath been (partly) eaten by a wild animal;[Quran Al Maidah]

The prophet (s.a.w) said “Verily, Allaah has prescribed excellence in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill in a kind manner. If you slaughter, slaughter in a kind manner. Each of you should sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal he is slaughtering.” [Sahih Muslim]


The main purpose of allowing Muslims to continue with animal sacrifices was to turn this tradition into an institution of charity. All the verses of the Quran which deal with the subject wind up with the provison that the meat be fed to the poor, the needy, those who are too modest to beg as well as the mendicants - those who beg openly (The Quran, 2:196; 22:28; 35-37).

It is not their flesh, nor their blood, that reaches Allah; it is your righteousness {piety and spiritual volition} that reaches Him….
Their flesh will never reach Allah, nor yet their blood, but your devotion will reach Him (Quran 22:37).




OBJECTION RAISED:


Those who think that the islamic festival - Eid ul Adha - the Eid of sacrifice , wherein Muslims kill or slaughter animals is a ruthless act have ample and more than numerous refutes against them and their ideology. Starting from the very root " Is Non veg prohibited for mankind?"

However, without going into much details, those who wish to see the proofs showing how the Islamic method of slaughtering any animal is the only method on the face of this earth which causes the least of pain or injury to animals, whereas in the rest of the world or non islamic sources, allow, or not speak against slaughtering animals via electrification or brutally killing them .

see this : http://www.irf.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=398%3Aislamic-method-of-slaughtering-animals-appears-ruthless&catid=71%3Amost-common-questions-asked-by-non-muslim&Itemid=199

To see the german lab tests on Islamic methods visit : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=266772916767135&id=259661424144951&set=a.259734760804284.53105.259661424144951

To see a healthy debate on the topic of veg vs non veg see this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K4exBKQrHUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K4exBKQrHU



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DO NO HARM OR HURT ANY ANIMAL, INSECT OR BIRD


Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: An ant had bitten a Prophet (one amongst the earlier Prophets) and he ordered that the colony of the ants should be burnt. And Allah revealed to him:” Because of an ant’s bite you have burnt a community from amongst the communities which sings My glory.”
[Sahih Muslim, Chapter# 36, Book 26, Number 556]

Another report says " Why did that one ant which bit you not burn?"


Abdullah reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, on a journey and he went out to relieve himself. We saw a red-headed sparrow that had two chicks with her and we took her chicks. The sparrow started to flap her wings. The Prophet came to us and he said, “Who has upset her by taking her children? Give her children back to her.” He also saw an ant colony which we had burned and he said, “Who burned this?” We said, “We did it.” He said, “No one should punish with fire except the Lord of the fire.” [Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Manners, Number 5268, Hasan]


Abu Waqid Al-Layth reported: The Prophet, peace be upon him, arrived in Medina and they were cutting the tails of sheep and humps of camels while they were alive. He said, “Whatever is cut from an animal while it is alive is unlawful carrion.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Food, Number 1480, Hasan]

Abdullah ibn Jafar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, passed by some people who were shooting arrows at a ram. He hated it and he said, “Do not mutilate (harm or injure) your animals.” [Sunan An-Nasa’i, Book of Sacrifices, Number 4440, Sahih]


TAKE CARE OF YOUR ANIMALS AND LOVE THEM


The Prophet(s) was asked if acts of charity even to the animals were rewarded by God. He replied: 'yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive.'
(Narrated by Abu Huraira, Bukhari, 3:322. Also Muslim, Vol. 4; Hadith No. 2244.]

Sahl ibn Al-Hanzala reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, passed by a camel whose back had fallen to its stomach. He said, “Fear Allah concerning your animals. Ride them while they are in good condition ....” [Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Jihad, Number 2548, Sahih]

Another narration says :

The Prophet(s) once passed by a lean camel whose belly had shrunk to its back. 'Fear God' he said to the owner of the camel, 'in these dumb animals and ride them only when they are fit to be ridden, and let them go free when it is met that they should rest. (Narrated by Abdullah bin Ja'far. Abu Dawood, 7:221; Hadith No. 2532).


Abdullah Ibn Jaafar (r.a) said " One day a camel came towards the prophet (s.a.w) , made a rumbling noise and shed tears. When the prophet (s.a.w) saw this, he caressed the back of it and comforted it. In turn the camel stopped crying. he (s.a.w) then said" Who is its owner?" A young man from the Ansaar said "It is mine Oh Messenger of Allah". The messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said" Do you not fear Allah regarding this animal that he has placed under your ownership?. It complained that you neglect feeding it (properly) and mistreat it" [Sahih Muslim]

Ali ibn Siyaabah (r.a) said " One day when i was with the messenger of Allah.......... a camel came and towards the Prophet (s.a.w) and put its neck to the ground then made a rumbling sound. The prophet (s.a.w) said "Do you know what the camel says?" It claims the owner wants to slaughter it. The he (s.a.w) asked for the owner and said "Will you grant it (the camel) to me as a present?" The owner replied " There is nothing more precious to me in my ownership (property) than this camel" Thereby the prophet (s.a.w) said " I advice you to be kind and cautious with the camel" [Musnad Ahmad Vol.4 page 172]

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: When you journey through a fertile land, you should (go slow and) give the camels a chance to graze in the land. When you travel In an arid (land) where there is scarcity of vegetation, you should quicken their pace (lest your camels grow feeble and emaciated for lack of fodder). When you halt for the night, avoid (pitching your tent on) the road, for it is the abode of noxious little animals at night. [Sahih Muslim  Book 20, Hadith 4723]


CARING FOR THE ANIMALS IS A REWARDING


The prophet (s.a.w) said " There is a reward (for serving) everything with a moist liver (that is, every living creature).” [Musnad Ahmad]

The Prophet (s.a.w) said "“Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "While a man was walking on his way he became extremely thirsty. He found a well, he went down into it to drink water. Upon leaving it, he saw a dog which was panting out of thirst. His tongue was lolling out and he was eating moist earth from extreme thirst. The man thought to himself: `This dog is extremely thirsty as I was.' So he descended into the well, filled up his leather sock with water, and holding it in his teeth, climbed up and quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah appreciated his action and forgave his sins".

The Companions asked: "Shall we be rewarded for showing kindness to the animals also?'' He (PBUH) said, "A reward is given in connection with every living creature".
(Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on manners ,no. 6009; Muslim, Sahih, Book on greetings, no. 2244; Abu Dawud, Sunan, Book on Jihad, no. 2550; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 2, p. 375; and Malik, Al-Muwatta', Book on miscellaneous matters, no. 1729)



Another narration from Muslim says "Once a dog was going round the well and was about to die out of thirst. A prostitute of Banu Israel (i.e the people to whom Prophet Moses were sent and not the modern day Israel) happened to see it. So she took off her leather sock and lowered it into the well. She drew out some water and gave the dog to drink. She was forgiven on account of her action".
[(Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on Prophets, no. 3467; Muslim, Sahih, Book on greetings, no. 2245; and Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 2, p. 510]



PROPHET FORBADE USING, WEARING OR SITTING ON ANIMAL SKIN AND FUR


 It was narrated that al-Miqdaam ibn Madiyakrib (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbidding the wearing of animal skins or riding on saddles made from them.
[Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4131; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3479]

It is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade using animal skins as furnishings.
[Al-Tirmidhi (1771) and al-Nasaa’i (4253) , Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1450]


It was narrated from Muaawiyah ibn Abi Sufyaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade tiger skins.
[Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4239; vclassed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3566.]

It was narrated from Muaawiyah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The angels do not accompany a group of people among whom there is a tiger skin.”
[Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4130; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3478]


The ahaadeeth indicate that it is not permissible to make use of animal skins.

The reasons why it is forbidden to make use of them are:

1 – It encourages the killing and harming of animals

2- That involves arrogance and showing off, because it is an imitation of tyrants, and because such things are the adornment of those who live luxurious and extravagant lives.


THE PROPHET (S.A.W) FORBADE ANIMAL SPORT


The Prophet(s) condemned those people who take up anything alive as a mere sport." (Narrated by Abdullah bin 'Omar. Muslim, Vol. 3, Hadith No. 1958).




JUSTICE WILL BE GIVEN TO EVERYONE - EVEN ANIMALS


It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) : “Allaah will judge between His creation, jinn, men and animals. On that Day, Allaah will let the hornless animal settle its score with the horned until, when there is nothing left to be settled, Allaah will say to them, ‘Be dust.’ At that point the disbeliever will say, ‘Would that I were dust.’”
[Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, no. 1966, Also see Muslim, al-Birr wa’l-Silah wa’l-Adaab, 4679]

Prophet (s.a.w) also said:

It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was sitting, and two sheep locked horns until one of them defeated and subdued the other. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) smiled and someone asked him, “Why are you smiling, O Messenger of Allaah?”  He said, “It is amazing. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, their score will be settled on the Day of Resurrection.”

“O Abu Dharr, do you know what they are fighting over?” He said, “No.” He said, “But Allaah knows and He will judge between them.”
[Sahih muslim, ‘Ali al-Qaari quoted this in al-Murqaah (4/761) and also Silsilah Al Saheeha pg. 612]



PROPHET FORBADE ANIMALS FIGHTS OR INSTIGATING ANIMALS TO FIGHT

This is unfortunately something that is widespread in the world.


The prophet (s.a.w) forbade inciting animals to fight each other. (Narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas. Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Abu al-Darda; recorded in Riyad (Ref. No. 28); Hadith No. 1606; p. 271]

And those animals who are killed because they were made to fight or were killed due to fighting generally are prohibited to eat and as mentioned above, they will get justice on the day of judgement and those responsible for hurting them will pay a lofty price


THE PROPHET (S.A.W) FORBADE SCARING THE ANIMALS


It is authentically reported from Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by a man who was putting HIS LEG ON THE FACE OF A GOAT while he was sharpening his blade and THE GOAT WAS LOOKING AT HIM while he was doing that.
Then he (peace be upon him) said:

YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE. DO YOU WANT TO SLAUGHTER IT TWO TIMES?

(Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir and Al-Mu'jam Al-Awsat of At-Tabarani through a good chain of transmitters. Majma' Al-Zawa'id, Chapter on sharpening the knife, vol. 4, p. 33.)


it is authentically reported from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and with his father) that The Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered that the BLADE SHOULD BE SHARPENED AND BE HIDDEN FROM THE ANIMAL.(Related by Ahmad, no. 5598, Section on the Hadiths narrated by the Companions who narrated a large number of Hadiths; and Ibn Majah, no. 3163, Book on the slaughtered animals, Chapter on when you slaughter do it kindly.)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 'Allah's Messenger forbade the slaughtering that is similar to that of the devil, i.e. cutting the animal's skin without cutting the jugular veins.(Ahmad, vol. 1, p. 289; Abu Dawud, vol. 3, pp. 251-252, no. 2826; Ibn Hibban, vol. 13, p. 206, no. 5888; Al-Hakim, vol. 4, p. 113; and Al-Bayhaqy, vol. 9, p. 278.)


Hazrat Omar (r.a) - the second khalifa of Islam,  once saw a man denying a sheep, which he was going to slaughter, a satiating measure of water to drink. He gave the man a beating with his lash and told him: "Go, water it properly at the time of its death, you knave!" (Reported by Ibn Sirin about Hazrat 'Omar and recorded in Badae al-Sande; 6:2811).


ISLAM IS NOT ILLOGICAL - JUST BECAUSE IT MAKES GOOD TREATMENT OF EVERY LIVING BEING OBLIGATORY UPON EVERY HUMAN DOES NOT MEAN IT PROHIBITS DEFENDING FROM HARM


it is permissible to kill the harmful animals, such as voracious dogs, wolves, snakes, scorpions, rats etc.


As mentioned in the beginning, the reports are numerous and i could not collect all of it. This document is merely a small trailer for the same. May allah have mercy on the one who corrects me. Aameen.
http://the-finalrevelation.blogspot.in/2012/09/animal-rights-in-islam.html


Watch :
Animal Rights in Islam - Sh. Ahsan Hanif

Islamic Method of Slaughtering is Painless