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Islam and Environment (09 Aug 2012 NewAgeIslam.Com)

Mercy and Respect to Animals in Islam

Islam and Animal Rights

By Aiman Reyaz, New Age Islam

Animals not only suffer from us in prisons, but even in the open. We torture them for our recreation. One can easily imagine “bull fight” sport, where a man fights a bull with his swords, and slowly and painfully stabs the bull with those swords until the bull collapses and dies. This sport is very popular today in Europe. Think about the "Cock Fights" or the "Rooster Fights", where similar to the dogs’ fights, they would bring two roosters to fight each others to death and make bets on them.

Allah created animals to live in communities like us. This means he created means of communication and understanding for them. Animals live in communities like us, and they pray to God Almighty like we do but in their own way that God Almighty ordained for them and this makes them deserve an open and a free life.

What Is Islam’s Say on Animal Rights?

Animals are to be respected by us as they are also our brethren in creation. Allah says that animals too live in communities like us.

"There is not an animal (That lives) on the earth, Nor a being that flies On its wings, but (forms Part of) communities like you. Nothing have We omitted From the Book, and they (all) Shall be gathered to their Lord In the end. (The Noble Quran, 6:38)"

And they too pray to Allah in their own way.

"Seest thou not that it is God 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 God knows well all that they do. (The Noble Quran, 24:41)"

"Seest thou not that to God bow down in worship all things that are in the heavens and on earth,- the sun, the moon, the stars; the hills, the trees, the animals; and a great number among mankind? But a great number are (also) such as are fit for Punishment: and such as God shall disgrace, - None can rise to honour: for God carries out all that He wills. (The Noble Quran, 22:18)"

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) directly forbade animal cruelty and imprisonment.

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: "The Prophet said, 'A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Beginning of Creation, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 535)"

Narrated Abu Huraira: "The Prophet said, 'A man saw a dog eating mud from (the severity of) thirst. So, that man took a shoe (and filled it) with water and kept on pouring the water for the dog till it quenched its thirst. So Allah approved of his deed and made him enter Paradise.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Ablutions (Wudu'), Volume 1, Book 4, Number 174)"

What About Animal Sacrifice in Islam?

Animal sacrifices in Islam are only meant for the poor and the needy.

"The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the symbols from God: in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of God over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have We made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful. It is not their meat nor their blood, that reaches God: it is your piety that reaches Him: He has thus made them subject to you, that ye may glorify God for His Guidance to you and proclaim the good news to all who do right. Verily God will defend (from ill) those who believe: verily, God loveth not any that is a traitor to faith, or show ingratitude. (The Noble Quran, 22:36-38)"

Conclusion

Islam is a religion that is full of mercy and respect to animals. Muhammad (pbuh) was not sent for the Muslims or the Arabs or to human, he was sent as a mercy to all the creations.

“Indeed, in this [Quran] is notification for a worshipping people. And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” [Quran: 21:106-107]

A simple and seemingly unimportant act can decide our destiny, without us being even aware of. No one knows who will enter heaven/hell save Allah. A person who offers prayer five times a day, fasts in the month of Ramazan, gives Zakat and does all the good deeds but his intention is not good; his main motive is that the world see and recognise him as a pious man. And this small and insignificant thought in his mind can have major implications and finally he may land in hell. Similarly a person who has done evil all his life but just before his death he repents to Allah with a true heart, Allah may forgive him and he can enjoy the fruits of heaven for eternity. We must always strive towards perfection, being perfect is not the best part, but striving towards achieving it, is.

URL: http://newageislam.com/islam-and-environment/by-aiman-reyaz,-new-age-islam/mercy-and-respect-to-animals-in-islam/d/8209

COMMENTS

@Aiman Riyaz,
Eating depends upon profession.Those who inclines towards spirtuality may avoid meat eating.Beef eating prohibited in Indian relgions because of religious purpose only.
But,Even Lord RAMA and Lord Krishna also meat eaters because of their profession.
As per my knowledge, the theme of Abrahamic religions that all living being created for sake of human being.I am not sure whether Abrahmic reglions promote vegetrian concepts.

By dharama_raj - 2/5/2013 8:56:51 AM
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Dear Aiman Reyaz. Thank you for inviting me to read above article.
It is good and highly appreciable that Islam gives rights to animal. It is the ritual sacrifice where animal rights are at stake.
My father-in-law a devout Muslim(traditional) is not satisfied with sacrifice of one animal. He slaughters multiple animals in bakreid happily even for dead parents. Many Muslims do this in the same spirit. Meat is surplus in bakrid. Slaughters are more than needy in short period. Thanks to UN-belivers who invented refrigerator.

I heard in Saudi Arabia in Haj mass scale slaughtering take place. Meat is buried in sand. Is it justified?
Religion brings a kind of hypnotism in believers. They don't do it consciously. They do it hypnotically to earn some brownie points so that they can be rewarded profusely in afterlife. Some do it to get rid off sins they have committed. It is a gruesome seen in bakreid in which people roam with knives stained in blood. Every street is full of blood and organs of slaughtered animals.
First commit sins and then take the life of innocent animals.
You left many Ahadith regarding ritual slaughters. It could be more useful if it had included Ahadith regarding the ritual slaughter.
I consume meat occasionally. My wife is fond of meat. In my company her consumption is also reduced. I never slaughter animal as I am not convinced by the story of Abraham. I will give money in charity(Not madarsa or mosque). Huge portion of charity is snatched from the needy by madarsas and mosques by cunning methods.
Once again thank you

By mohd yunus - 8/19/2012 10:30:23 AM
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Rizvi Sahib. I am glad to know that you are a vegetarian. However, I may say that our primitive forefathers before they became agriculturists, were hunters. And before they had discovered fire, they usually ate their catch raw. At that stage, their stomachs adjusted to raw meat eating.

However, after they discovered fire and started cooking their meals, they slowly and slowly developed stomachs which could not eat raw meat. So, I am part of this evolutionary process and cannot eat raw meat. I eat meat because I was born in a Sikh family and Sikhs have no reservations about eating meat. In fact, right from childhood, I have been eating meat. So, I am accustomed to being non-vegetarian. However, Sikhs do not eat beef and hence I also do not eat beef. Now of course I have become an agnostic but because of childhood practice, I still do not eat beef. I agree with you that ethical sensitivity is also a factor in being a vegetarian.

By Satbir Singh Bedi - 8/11/2012 1:08:26 AM
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Mr Bedi states:

1) In this world, tigers and lions are eating daily by killing other animals

2) This would, of course, depend on the religion/society of the person concerned.

My respond

1) If Mr Bedi catches a cow or goat with his bare hands, puts his teeth into the catch and eats the animal raw (no cooking and no spice garam masala (spice) I have no problem with his eating animals

2) religion/ society --please add one more item: "ethical sensitivity"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19eBAfUFK3E

By Syed Rizvi - 8/10/2012 12:28:50 PM
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In this world, tigers and lions are eating daily by killing other animals. In fact, such animals are called Carnivorous animals. In the sea, the big fish is swallowing the small fish. In our body, friendly bacteria are in virtual war with enemy bacteria. So long friendly bacteria go on finishing off enemy bacteria, we remain healthy but when enemy bacteria start winning the war inside our body, we began to fall ill. Then we strengthen the friendly bacteria and kill the enemy bacteria by taking medicines. So, war is going within our body unknown to us, it is taking place in the sea and it is taking place in the forests and even in our bedroom when cat pounces upon rat and eat it up. So, some of the animals are also meant for human consumption also and there is no harm in eating them. This would, of course, depend on the religion/society of the person concerned.
By Satbir Singh Bedi - 8/10/2012 8:10:32 AM
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Mercy and Respect to Animals in Islam

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By Aiman Reyaz, New Age Islam

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