In Islam, kindness to animals is a part of Iman. Animals are described as communities like us, and showing mercy to them is a way to earn Allah’s mercy.

Here are the key teachings:

1. Animals are Allah’s creation and deserve mercy

“And there is no creature on earth or bird that flies with its wings except that they are communities like you.” – Quran 6:38

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Those who are merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you.” – Tirmidhi

2. Feeding and caring for them is a reward
The Prophet ﷺ told the story of a man who gave water to a thirsty dog from a well, and Allah forgave his sins for it. When the companions asked, “Is there a reward for us in serving animals?” He replied, “Yes, there is a reward for serving any living being.” – Bukhari & Muslim

3. Cruelty is a serious sin

• A woman was punished in Hell because she imprisoned a cat, neither feeding it nor letting it hunt for itself. – Bukhari
• It is forbidden to hit animals on the face, brand them, or make them fight for sport.
• Cursing or torturing an animal is haram.

4. How to practice kindness according to Islam:

a) Provide for their needs: If you own a pet, livestock, or working animal, you must provide proper food, water, shelter, and medical care. You are responsible for them before Allah.

b) Do not overburden them: Do not make an animal carry more than it can bear, or use it beyond its capacity. The Prophet ﷺ saw an overworked camel and said, “Fear Allah in these animals who cannot speak.”

c) Slaughter with mercy: If an animal is for food, it must be slaughtered in the halal way – with a sharp blade, quickly, saying Bismillah, and without causing unnecessary fear or pain. One should not sharpen the knife in front of the animal or slaughter one animal in front of another.

d) Do not harm or mutilate: Cutting tails, ears, or any part of a living animal, keeping birds in tiny cages where they suffer, or hunting for mere fun is forbidden.

e) Let them live freely: Do not destroy nests, hives, or habitats without need. If an animal is not harmful, let it be.

f) General compassion: Even small acts count – putting out water for birds and stray cats and dogs in this heat, not throwing stones at them, protecting them from traffic, and teaching children to be gentle with them.

In short, Islam teaches that kindness to animals is not just good manners, it is worship. Every act of kindness is recorded, and every act of cruelty will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “If you kill, kill well. If you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.” – Muslim

Hena’s Blog For Paws © 2019 by Hena Osman is licensed under CC BY 4.0