The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks
Islam in its comprehensive approach to human existence on earth covers all aspects of man’s interaction. Not only with fellow humans (family, relatives, community members and so forth) but also with the animals and others creatures of The Almighty on earth. Human beings are meant to maintain peace and harmony even with all those creatures and are not permitted to harm them or commit abuses against them in any way.
Allah Almighty in His infinite wisdom and mercy upon mankind has made certain animals domesticated for the benefit and use of mankind and others remain out in the open in their natural habitat or environment.
Every single species has been created by The Almighty for a reason and purpose and plays an important role in the ecological and environmental systems of the earth.
Islam lays specific guidance on the correct manner of dealing with all of them accordingly.
The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, “The Most-Merciful (The Almighty) will have mercy on those who are merciful. Show mercy and compassion to the dwellers of the earth, then the One in the heavens (The Almighty) will show mercy and compassion to you!”
This declaration in its general tone encompasses the need to show mercy and compassion even to the animals and other creatures that are all “dwellers” of the earth.
In fact, in another Prophetic declaration, we are told “All creatures are of the ‘family’ of The Almighty and the most beloved to Him, amongst His creatures, is the one who is best (in treatment) towards His ‘family’ – i.e. creatures.”
So, we have to understand that all created beings are the “family” of the Creator – The Almighty Allah.
He is the sole Cherisher and Sustainer – providing for all His creatures. Hence, those who show kindness and sympathy to the creatures of Allah will, in return, be deserving of His love and mercy.
On one occasion, the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) related to his companions, “Once, a traveller (during the course of his journey) came upon a well. Feeling thirsty, he went down into it, drank water and came out. (There was no rope or bucket).
“On coming out, he saw a dog that was licking the wet earth (around the well). The man took pity and went down (into the well – again), filled his boot, held it by the teeth, came out and gave water to the dog to drink. This (simple) service to the thirsty dog pleased Allah Almighty to the extent that He blessed the man with salvation (forgave him all his sins)”.
Upon hearing this, the companions enquired, “Oh, Prophet of Allah, is there a reward for us even on removing the distress of animals?”
“Yes,” replied the Prophet (peace be upon him) “(in fact) on removing the distress of every living being (there will be a reward for you)!”
The mercy and benevolence of The Almighty is stirred by the display of such deeds of pity and sympathy – due to which He grants forgiveness and salvation.
It should be noted here that the aim of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was not merely to narrate the story, but to stress the importance of kindness and compassion to all the creatures of Allah – even to a dog! The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), like the earlier Prophets of The Almighty, permitted the use of those animals created for the purpose of riding or carrying loads and permitted the use of flesh of those animals which have been declared clean for food.
This actually is a blessing of Allah Almighty and is in accordance with His commands.
But at the same time, as explained earlier, he repeatedly highlighted the fact that these creatures should be treated with kindness and mercy.
On the one hand, he emphasised that all creatures of Allah be treated kindly and on the other hand warned against cruelty to them, explaining that to unnecessarily inflict pain on the creatures is a great sin.
On some other occasion, the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw a donkey that had been branded on the face upon which he exclaimed, “The person who has committed this (cruel) act is removed from the mercy of the Lord (Creator).”
As is still practised in many places, in those days, it was customary to brand animals (like horses, donkeys, cattle and so forth), with red-hot irons as a mark of recognition. To brand the face of the animals, which is the most sensitive part of the body, by burning a mark on it is definitely a most cruel act.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) felt deeply hurt on seeing that this had been done to the poor animal which made him utter the above sentence.
This surely was an expression of severe resentment against such cruelty!
For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:
Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars
Publications Department
P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare/ Tel: 04-614078 / 614004, Fax : 04-614003.
e-mail: [email protected].
