Animals in Islam
It is often said that Americans spend more money and effort on rescuing a beached whale or suffering animal then they do on the average human being. In the United States there are a large and growing number of national animal rights and protective organizations. The World Animal Net Directory, which is the world's largest database of animal protection societies, has close to 10,000 listings of organizations.
The Muslim world may not have as many animal rights and protective organizations, but within the tenets of Islam are found strong support and guidelines for the protection and treatment of animals.
In the Qur'an and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet), it is emphasized that animals be treated as humanely as any other of God's vast creation. The Qur'an goes as far to say that cruelty to animals is equivalent to cruel treatment of a human being. Kind treatment of animals is considered a good deed in the same sense that good conduct and treatment between human beings is deemed a good deed. The following Hadith illustrates this point:
The Prophet said, ``While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well, and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, `This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine.' So, he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.' The people asked ``O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?' He replied: ``Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate (living being).' (Narrated by Abu Huraira -- Volume 3, Book 40, Number 551)
God created man to be the guardian of the Earth and gave him dominion over its inhabitants. Therefore, mankind is held responsible for an injustice he has done to any of God's creatures. The Qur'an specifies that animals function as a community in the same way that human beings do, and all creatures have their place. The Qur'an also shows that it is not only human beings that give praise and worship to God through prayers but animals as well, as evident from this passage.
``Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises are celebrated by all beings in the heavens and on earth, and by the birds with extended wings? Each one knows its prayer and psalm, And Allah is aware of what they do.' (Qur'an 22:18)
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