Animal Rights in Islam: Ethical Considerations
Key Takeaways
Most Muslims are unaware of the extent to which Islam dignifies non-human life. Animals have been declared as God-conscious communities just like our own, who will be raised on Qiyamah.
Islam prescribes excellence towards animals declaring that kindness to animals is the same as kindness to humans.
The extent to which Islam dignifies animals can be ascertained from the fact that our treatment of animals can even decide our fate in the Hereafter.
Allah (SWT) has beautified the Earth with the diverse creatures He has placed in it. The animals, birds, and insects that we see around us all form a complex global ecology where each species has an important role to play. And each species, including humans, depends on others for their continued survival.
This interdependent ecology forms the balance of nature, known as Mizan, which Allah (SWT) has infused into the very structure of this world. He says in the Qur’an:
While many Muslims are generally aware that Islam prescribes kindness and compassion to animals, they often do not realize the extent to which it sanctifies them.
Previously, we have briefly explained how our status as Khulafah of the Earth merits excellent treatment of animals. Let us delve further into the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah to learn about animal rights in Islam.
All living beings are communities similar to our own
Firstly, let us look at some foundational beliefs about animal rights and welfare in Islam. At the heart of the teachings on animal rights in Islam, lies the following verse from the Qur’an:
“There is no creature moving on the Earth, nor a bird flying on its two wings, but they are all communities like you... ”
Thus, Allah (SWT) declares that all animal species are communities like us.
Animals shall be raised on the Day of Judgement
In his tafsir (exegesis) of this verse, Imam al-Qurtubi declares that animals shall also be raised on Qiyamah (Judgement Day), and justice shall be done with respect to the treatment given to them in this life.
The same is also highlighted at the end of the following verse:
Animals are God-conscious like us
One of the most prominent manifestations of the similar status of all beings is how all are God-conscious and engaged in the worship of the Almighty. Allah (SWT) declares:
Thus, based on this aspect of similarity, all living beings occupy a similar status of dignity and sanctity in Allah’s (SWT) creation scheme.
Kindness to an animal is equal to kindness to a human
If Allah (SWT) has declared animals as similar to us, then who are we to deny them the same justice and compassion that we’d extend to humans?
In highlighting this same point about animal rights in Islam, the Prophet (SAW) made it clear how animals occupy a similar status to us even with regard to moral treatment:
Responsibilities towards the animals in our care
It is indeed true that Allah (SWT) has allowed us to obtain numerous benefits from the various living beings around us [1], but such blessings come with various responsibilities.
Explaining this, the Prophet’s beloved ahlul-bayt (family) tell us:
Similarly, a Hadith reports the following incident from the Prophet (SAW):
“Reported by Abdullah b. Ja’fir Abi Talib: “The Prophet went into a garden of a man from the ansār and there was a camel. When the Prophet saw the camel he felt compassion and his eyes shed tears. The Prophet went up to the camel and stroked him between his ears, and the camel calmed down. The Prophet then said: ‘Who is the owner of this camel?’ A young boy from the ansār came and said, ‘He is mine, Prophet.’ The Prophet said: ‘Don’t you fear God with regard to this animal, whom God has given to you? For the camel complained to me that you starve him and work him endlessly.” ”
If we are merciful to animals, Allah (SWT) will be merciful to us
Even though Islam has allowed humans to take the lives of animals (subject to various guidelines) for sustenance purposes, Allah (SWT) appreciates us if we abstain from such an act out of mercy.
The following incident from the life of the Prophet (SAW) elaborates this beautifully:
“Mu’awiya ibn Qurra reported that his father said: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, I was going to slaughter a sheep, and then I felt sorry for it (or sorry for the sheep I was going to slaughter).” He said twice, “Since you showed mercy to the sheep, Allah will show mercy to you.” ”
Our treatment of animals can decide our fate in the Afterlife
Finally, the extent of the sanctity and reverence that Islam has placed on animals is evident from the fact that one simple act of cruelty or kindness towards an animal can determine our fate in the Hereafter.
Cruelty towards animals is such a severe sin, that Allah (SWT) punishes such people with Hellfire:
Similarly, an act of kindness towards an animal is loved by Allah (SWT) to such an extent that He forgives our sins and rewards us with Jannah (Heaven):
Putting beliefs into practice
We must pause and reflect: are we as Muslims living up to Islam’s prescribed treatment towards animals? Do the laws and customs of our countries live up to the principles of animal rights in Islam?
Unfortunately, there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to animal rights and welfare in the Muslim world. Each of us must take a stand.
So, if you’re ready to take a stand for our fellow beings and work for animal rights and welfare, head over to our volunteer page, where you can sign up with us or view our directory of welfare organizations near you.
[1] See Qur’an 36:71-72.
