7 Posters that make you Feel Animal Pain

Animal Cruelty and Islam

Let’s get the facts straight right away – CRUELTY TO ANIMALS IS FORBIDDEN IN ISLAM.

There! I said it. No human is allowed to be harsh to animals. Nor are we allowed to torture them, mentally or physically, in any way. Period.

Hurting an animal is as bad as hurting a human. Worse, it comes with dire consequences as they are unable to speak for themselves, hence only Allah hears their cries for mercy and those who mistreat them will be punished severely by God Himself.

Islam is a religion of mercy, then what makes you think you have the right to punish an animal or to treat it wrong? Our Prophet Muhammad (SAWT), always showed kindness to animals and preached the same.

It is related from AbdulRahman bin Abdullah that a group of Companions were once on a journey with the Prophet (SAWT) when he left them for a while. During his absence, they saw a bird with its two young and they took the young ones from the nest. When the Prophet Muhammad (SAWT) came back, the mother bird started circling above them, beating its wings in grief. He said, "Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its young? Return them to her." (Muslim)

Allah Blesses You for Showing Kindness to Animals

It is related from Abu Hurayra, from the Prophet (SAWT), that once on a very hot day a prostitute saw a dog going round and round a well, lolling its tongue because of thirst and unable to find water. She drew some water for the dog using her shoe and helped him satisfy its thirst, and just for this action all her sins were forgiven her. (Muslim)

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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)