— Written by: Abbas Rhamotallahi Ejide
Introduction
It is a major sin and direct violation of rights given by Allah to abuse an animal or kill one without a beneficial reason. On the day of Judgement, even the smallest of birds who had been killed unjustly will come pleading for justice before Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said;
“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. (Sunan Al-Nasā’ī, 4445)
In Islam, kindness and mercy are not limited to humans, they extend to every creature that walks, flies, or swims on this earth. This article explores Islam’s teachings on animal rights, Prophetic examples, and how Muslims are instructed to treat animals with dignity and care.
The Status of Animals in Islam
Animals are creations of Allah, just like humans, and they have their own purpose, communities, and rights.
The Qur’an reminds us:
“There is no creature on earth or bird that flies with its wings except that they are communities like you.” — (Qur’an Chapter 6, verse 38).
Many people don’t realize that animals, too, are communities that worship Allah in their own way. They’re not just creatures meant to serve human needs, they’re living beings who glorify and praise their Creator just as we do. Allah has made them conscious of Him, and on the Day of Judgment, even they will be raised.
In the Qur’an, Allah described them (animals) as umamun amthalukum (nations like humans), deserving of respect and compassion. They worship Allah in their own way, even if we do not understand their language.
Rights of Animals in Islam
Centuries before modern animal welfare movements, Muslim scholars deeply discussed the ethical treatment of animals within Islamic jurisprudence. One of the most comprehensive statements on this subject comes from Imam ‘Izz ad-Dīn ibn ‘Abd as-Salām (rahimahullah), famously known as Sultan al-‘Ulama’.
In his work Qawāʿid al-Aḥkām fī Iṣlāḥ al-Anām (1/167), he outlined the rights that animals and all living creatures have over humankind:
- That a person provides for them as they require, even if they have aged or fallen ill and no longer bring any benefit.
- That he does not burden them beyond what they can bear.
- That he does not keep them with another creature that could harm them whether of their own kind or a different species by butting, biting, or wounding them.
- That when slaughtering them, he does so gently, and does not flay their skin or break their bones until the body has completely become still and lifeless.
- That he does not slaughter their young in front of them, but rather in solitude, away from the mother’s sight.
- That he provides them with comfortable resting and watering places.
- That he allows males and females to be together during their mating seasons.
- That he does not discard what he has hunted wastefully.
- That he does not shoot or harm them in any way that breaks their bones or renders their meat unlawful to eat.
Islamic Teachings in Treating Animals
The prophet (peace be upon him) narrated the story of a woman who was punished in the Hereafter because of a cat she imprisoned, neither feeding it nor letting it go to find food.
“She entered Hell because of a cat which she had tied up; she neither gave it food nor set it free to eat from the insects of the earth.” — (Sahih al-Bukhārī: 3318; Sahih Muslim: 2242)
In contrast, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“A prostitute saw a dog lolling around a well on a hot day, nearly dying of thirst. She took off her shoe, tied it with her headscarf, drew out some water, and gave it to the dog to drink. Allah forgave her because of that (act of kindness).” Sahih Bukhārī: 3321; Sahih Muslim: 2245
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also told a similar story about a man was forgiven all his sins for showing mercy to a thirsty dog:
“While a man was walking, he felt intense thirst and went down into a well to drink. When he came out, he saw a dog panting and eating mud out of thirst. The man went down again, filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth, and gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated his deed and forgave him.” (Bukhari: 2466 and Muslim: 2244)
In essence, Islam is a faith that teaches honour, mercy, and kindness toward animals.
Kindness Towards Animals in Islam
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) embodied this compassion in every aspect of his life. He would often remind his companions that mercy shown to animals is mercy rewarded by Allah subhhnahu wa ta’āla. Once, when he saw a camel so thin that its back had almost touched its stomach, he said:
“Fear Allah regarding these animals that cannot speak. Ride them in a good manner and feed them in a good manner.” — (Abu Dawood: 2548)
He (peace be upon him) also prohibited overburdening animals, branding them on the face, or separating a mother from her offspring. Even when slaughtering for food, which is a permissible act, Islam demands gentleness, sharp tools, and a swift, painless end.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Verily, Allah subhānahu wa ta’āla has prescribed excellence in all things. So when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let one of you sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal.” — (Sahih Muslim : 1955)
Today, as many animals face cruelty and neglect in farms, markets, laboratories, and even homes. Muslims are reminded to revive the prophetic example of compassion. Our treatment of animals reflects our understanding of rahmah (mercy), the very attribute by which Allah describes Himself.
“The merciful are shown mercy by The Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will have mercy upon you.” — (Tirmidhi: 1924)
Other than the general duty of a believer to be considerate and empathic towards the creation of Allah, the responsibility as a pet-owner understandably increases from being cognizant of one’s pet’s needs and fulfilling them, to making positive efforts towards the pet’s well-being.
Closing Thoughts
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to be an “animal lover” to be kind to animals. What Islam teaches is empathy. Of course, intervening directly isn’t always safe or possible, and Islam does not ask us to endanger ourselves. However, when we witness abuse or neglect, we are encouraged to take responsible action by reporting it to the proper authorities or calling the attention of others who can help. Remaining silent in the face of injustice, even to an animal, is not the way of mercy that our faith upholds.
For those who own pets or keep animals under their care, the responsibility becomes even greater and goes beyond merely feeding them. Ensuring their comfort, safety, and well-being is mandatory as every act of kindness toward them is an act of worship. In the end, kindness to animals is about embodying the same mercy that Allah extends to all His creation.