Treatment of Animals in Islam

It is forbidden in Islam to treat an animal cruelly, or to kill it except for the need of food. There are several examples in Hadith where the Prophet Muhammad instructed Muslims to treat animals with kindness and mercy.

“A good deed done to an animal is like a good deed done to a human being,

while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as cruelty to a human being."

Allah Rewards You for Showing Mercy to Animals

Abu Umama relates that the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Judgment."

Just because an animal is unable to voice out its opinion or suffering, it should not be treated with anything less than kindness. Animals cannot speak for themselves which is why it falls on our (human) shoulders to show them mercy and become their voice where we can.

Related from Sahl ibn Al-Handhaliyya: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), once passed by a camel that was so emaciated that its back had almost reached its stomach. He said, "Fear Allah in these beasts who cannot speak." (Abu Dawud)