Authored by: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (Rahimahullah)
Chapter Title: Mercy Towards Animals
Arabic Title: باب ما جاء فى الرحمة بالبهائم
"A man was walking along a path when he felt extremely thirsty. He found a well, descended into it, drank, and came out. Then he saw a dog panting and licking the moist ground out of thirst. The man thought: 'This dog is suffering from thirst just as I was.' He descended into the well again, filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth, climbed out, and gave the dog water. Allah appreciated his deed and forgave him."
People asked: "O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for us in treating animals kindly?" He replied:
"Yes, there is a reward for kindness to every living being."
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 2363, Muslim 2244)
"A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat. She had imprisoned it until it died. She neither fed it nor gave it water while it was confined, nor did she release it to eat insects of the earth."
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 3482, Muslim 2242:143)
"If you show mercy to the goat, Allah will show mercy to you."
(Sahih: Ahmad 15592, al-Bazzar 1221, al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad 373)
"Whoever shows mercy, even to an animal meant for slaughter, Allah will show mercy to them on the Day of Resurrection."
(Hasan: al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad 381)
Chapter Title: Mercy Towards Animals
Arabic Title: باب ما جاء فى الرحمة بالبهائم
Hadith on Mercy Towards Animals
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:"A man was walking along a path when he felt extremely thirsty. He found a well, descended into it, drank, and came out. Then he saw a dog panting and licking the moist ground out of thirst. The man thought: 'This dog is suffering from thirst just as I was.' He descended into the well again, filled his shoe with water, held it in his mouth, climbed out, and gave the dog water. Allah appreciated his deed and forgave him."
People asked: "O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for us in treating animals kindly?" He replied:
"Yes, there is a reward for kindness to every living being."
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 2363, Muslim 2244)
Warning Against Mistreatment of Animals
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:"A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat. She had imprisoned it until it died. She neither fed it nor gave it water while it was confined, nor did she release it to eat insects of the earth."
(Agreed Upon: Bukhari 3482, Muslim 2242:143)
Mercy in Slaughter
❀ Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah ibn Qurrah narrated on the authority of his father that a man said: "O Messenger of Allah, I feel compassion for the goat when I slaughter it." The Prophet (PBUH) replied:"If you show mercy to the goat, Allah will show mercy to you."
(Sahih: Ahmad 15592, al-Bazzar 1221, al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad 373)
General Kindness Towards Animals
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:"Whoever shows mercy, even to an animal meant for slaughter, Allah will show mercy to them on the Day of Resurrection."
(Hasan: al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad 381)
Key Lessons from These Ahadith
- Reward in Kindness: Treating animals with compassion is an act of worship that earns the pleasure of Allah.
- Consequences of Cruelty: Mistreating or neglecting animals is a sin that can lead to severe punishment.
- Compassion in Necessary Acts: Even during slaughter, showing mercy is rewarded by Allah.
- Universal Mercy: These teachings encourage Muslims to extend kindness to all living beings, reflecting the broader principles of mercy and compassion in Islam.