Zafir Malik, UK
An outdoor enthusiast and influencer from the US came under fierce criticism recently while on a trip to Australia. [1] The influencer was filmed picking up a wild baby wombat and running towards her car whilst its mother could be seen running after them frantically. This incident reminded me of a lesson taught by the Prophet Muhammad (sa) regarding our conduct towards animals.
A Companion of Prophet Muhammad (sa) named Abdullah (ra) narrates an incident that once they were on a journey with Prophet Muhammad (sa). Along the way they stopped to take some rest. In the area adjacent to where the Muslim army set up camp, there was a tree which had a bird’s nest. Someone took the eggs from the nest. A short while later, the mother bird could be seen circling around the Muslim camp in great agitation. Prophet Muhammad (sa) noticed the distress signals of the mother bird and immediately came out of his tent and asked: ‘Which one of you has taken its eggs?’ A man said that he had taken them. Prophet Muhammad (sa) replied: ‘Return them out of mercy to the bird.’ [2]
This may be a small incident in the life of the Prophet of Islam (sa), but it contains a vital lesson for us. It is interesting to note that the Holy Qur’an describes the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) as a Mercy for all of Mankind. [3] His life is testimony to the fact that he not only upheld the rights of every citizen in society – irrespective of their race, gender, creed or social standing – but he equally showed compassion towards animals. He always advised his Companions to be mindful of their treatment of animals, to feed them well and to keep them in a good condition. [4]
In one tradition he forbade the killing of animals for mere sport. Abdullah bin Amr (ra) narrated that the Holy Prophet (sa) said: ‘Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, God will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment.’ The Companions asked, ‘O Messenger of God (sa), what is a just cause?’ He replied, ‘That you slaughter it to eat, not simply to cut off its head and then throw it away.’ [5]
When the Holy Prophet (sa) migrated to Madinah, he noticed that people used to cut off the humps of the camels and the rumps of sheep to consume whilst the animals were still alive. He put an end to this pre-Islamic pagan custom by stating: ‘Whatever is cut off an animal while it is still alive, is carrion and is unlawful to eat.’ [6] Ibn Umar (ra) once stated that the Prophet (sa) strictly forbade from maiming animals. [7]
Even when an animal has to be slaughtered for consumption, the Prophet of Islam (sa) warned not to cause the animal distress and to kill it in the quickest manner possible to stop undue suffering. He said: ‘God has ordained kindness (and excellence) in everything. If an animal is to be slaughtered, do it in the best manner… by first sharpening the knife, and putting the animal at ease.’ [8]
Imagine, Prophet Muhammad (sa) ordained all of this at a time when there were no animal rights organisations. People would use and treat animals according to their wishes. Through these clear and unambiguous commands and his own practice, he established the rights of even the most vulnerable creatures of the earth, truly cementing his reputation not only as a ‘Mercy for Mankind’, but as a ‘Mercy for all of God’s creation.’
About the Author: Zafir Malik serves as the Associate Editor of The Review of Religions, having graduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya UK – Institute of Modern Languages and Theology. He is also an Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and regularly appears as a panellist on MTA International and Voice of Islam radio station answering questions on Islam.
ENDNOTES
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d8m4vk0e9o
[2] Al-Adaf Al-Mufrad, Kitab al-Rahmah, Hadith no.382 (https://sunnah.com/adab:382)
[3] The Holy Qur’an, 21:108
[4] Sunan Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Jihad, Hadith no. 2548 (https://sunnah.com/abudawud:2548)
[5] Sunan al-Nisai, Kitab al-Dahaya, Hadith no. 4445 (https://sunnah.com/nasai:4445)
[6] Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-At’imah, Hadith no. 1480 (https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:1480)
[7] Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Dhabaih wa al-Sayd, Hadith no. 5515 (https://sunnah.com/bukhari:5515)
[8] Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sayd wa al-Dhabaih wa ma yukal min al-Haywan, Hadith no. 1955a (https://sunnah.com/muslim:1955a)
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