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Kindness to Animals

Religion 29 Apr 2010
2 Comments

Title: Kindness to Animals
Author: Majdee Fathee As-Sayyid
Translated by: Aqeel Walker
Published by: Darussalam
ISBN: 9960-861-43-0

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Islam is the religion of mercy for all creatures.

The intended audience is for children, with a good command of English. A five year old just learning phonics would not be able to read this book on their own.

Although this booklet was written for children, recent comments on the Parmesan cheese post show that many Muslims have failed to learn this basic and essential aspect of Islamic character.

“Kindness to Animals”, narrates various stories from the Prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, the companions and others focusing on kindness to animals and the consequences of mistreating them. Islam is a mercy for mankind, animals, plants and all of creation. Therefore, we must show mercy and compassion for all and especially for those who can not speak up for themselves.

The stories included are, ‘Caliph ‘Umar worries about a mule’, ‘The man and the thirsty dog’, ‘The cat and the mean woman’, ‘A Prophet and an ant’, and ‘A sad camel’. In addition, we learn about the prohibition of using animals as target practice, the early Muslims’ deep concern for the welfare of animals, and the proper treatment of animals before, during and after their slaughter for food.

Seest thou not that it is Allah 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 Allah knows well all that they do. [Quran 24:41]

Aqeel WalkerBook ReviewDarussalamFathee As-SayyidKindness

About the author

Abdullah

I am Abu Sabah Abdullah Al-Amreeki, a revert to Islam from Christianity, a husband to my beautiful wife, a father to my amazing children, an aspiring daiee and a wannabe Web developer.

2 Comments

  1. Bariah
     April 29, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    salam alekum
    There is a widespread aversion to dogs in my country. Most people hate dogs or will not let them in to the house. I love dogs (and other animals), I always have. I am against “animal worship” or substituting an animal for a family member and all that of course, but I always wanted to know what is real and what is myth when it comes to keeping a dog. (Not that I have room or can afford one).

    Reply
  2. Abdullah
     April 30, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    Wa Alaykum Salaam wa Rahmatullah,

    First, we should state clearly that there is a difference between not liking/hating/having an aversion to a particular type of animal and mistreating/torturing/oppressing the animal.

    Take pigs as an example, Muslims tend to not like them because of the impurity that Allah created in them. That, however, does not give us the right to mistreat them. If we must kill them, then we must do it in a way which is the most compassionate. The cull after the swine flu outbreak was offensive and heartbreaking, not because pigs were killed but how they were killed.

    One of the biggest reasons Muslims don’t like dogs is that angels do not come into a house where there is a dog.

    Maimuna reported that one morning Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was silent with grief. Maimuna said: Allah’s Messenger, I find a change in your mood today. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Gabriel had promised me that he would meet me tonight, but he did not meet me. By Allah, he never broke his promises, and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) spent the day in this sad (mood). Then it occurred to him that there had been a puppy under their cot. He commanded and it was turned out. He then took some water in his hand and sprinkled it at that place. When it was evening Gabriel met him and he said to him: you promised me that you would meet me the previous night. He said: Yes, but we do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture. Then on that very morning he commanded the killing of the dogs until he announced that the dog kept for the orchards should also be killed, but he spared the dog meant for the protection of extensive fields (or big gardens). Muslim 24:5248

    The prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, ordered dogs to be killed but this order seems to be for those wild dogs that serve no purpose other than being a nuisance. Clearly, dogs that had a purpose such as hunting dogs and shepard dogs are allowed to keep. Also, it is allowed to keep seeing eye dogs and the like.

    The other problem with dogs is their saliva. As far as I know, the Hanifis, Shafis and Hanbalis all consider the saliva as impure, necessitating washing 7 times if you come into contact with it. Imam Malik, did not consider the saliva to be impure because we are allowed to use them for hunting and dogs hunt by biting. So if the saliva were impure that would make the game impure. Imam Malik also said that washing 7 times is a Sunnah.

    I do believe it’s clear that we are not allowed to keep dogs as pets but that shouldn’t prevent us from being merciful.

    After all Allah knows best.

    Reply

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