Animals in Islam
In Islam, the Qur'an strongly enjoins Muslims to treat animals with compassion and not to abuse them. All creatures are believed to praise God, even if this praise is not expressed in human language.
The Qur'an explicitly allows the eating of the meat of certain halal (lawful) animals. Although some Sufis have practiced vegetarianism, there has been no serious discourse on the possibility of vegetarian interpretations.
Certain animals can be eaten under the condition that they are slaughtered in a specified way, which has been criticised by animal rights activists. Prohibitions include swine, carrion, and animals dhabihah (ritual slaughter) in the name of someone other than God. The Qur'an also states "eat of that over which the name of God (Arabic: الله Allāh), hath been mentioned".
The Qur'an explicitly allows the eating of the meat of certain halal (lawful) animals. Although some Sufis have practiced vegetarianism, there has been no serious discourse on the possibility of vegetarian interpretations.
Certain animals can be eaten under the condition that they are slaughtered in a specified way, which has been criticised by animal rights activists. Prohibitions include swine, carrion, and animals dhabihah (ritual slaughter) in the name of someone other than God. The Qur'an also states "eat of that over which the name of God (Arabic: الله Allāh), hath been mentioned".
Animals in pre-Islamic
Arabia In pre-Islamic Arabia, Arab Bedouin, like other people, attributed the qualities and the faults of humans to animals. Generosity, for example, was attributed to the cock; perfidy to the lizard; stupidity to the bustard; and boldness to the lion.
Based on the facts that the names of certain tribes bear the names of animals, survivals of animal cults, prohibitions of certain foods and other indications, W. R. Smith argued for the practice of totemism by certain tribes of Arabia.
Others have argued that these evidences may only imply practice of a form of animalism. In support of this, for example, it was believed that upon one's death, the soul departs from the body in the form of a bird (usually a sort of owl); the soul-as-bird then flies about the tomb for some time, occasionally crying out (for vengeance). Although Muhammad rejected this belief, it persisted under Islam in various forms ("All creatures on earth are sentient beings. There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on its wings – but they are communities like you.").
Based on the facts that the names of certain tribes bear the names of animals, survivals of animal cults, prohibitions of certain foods and other indications, W. R. Smith argued for the practice of totemism by certain tribes of Arabia.
Others have argued that these evidences may only imply practice of a form of animalism. In support of this, for example, it was believed that upon one's death, the soul departs from the body in the form of a bird (usually a sort of owl); the soul-as-bird then flies about the tomb for some time, occasionally crying out (for vengeance). Although Muhammad rejected this belief, it persisted under Islam in various forms ("All creatures on earth are sentient beings. There is not an animal on earth, nor a bird that flies on its wings – but they are communities like you.").
Qur'an
Although over two hundred verses in the Qur'an deal with animals and six suras (chapters) of the Qur'an are named after animals, animal life is not a predominant theme in the Qur'an; haywan, the Arabic word meaning "animal" (plural haywanat) makes one appearance.
On the other hand, the term dābba, usually taken to mean "beast of burden", occurs a number of times in the Qur'an while remaining rare in medieval Arabic works on zoology. By implication, animals in the Qur'an and early Muslim thought are usually seen solely in terms of their relation to human beings, producing a tendency toward anthropocentrism.
On the other hand, the term dābba, usually taken to mean "beast of burden", occurs a number of times in the Qur'an while remaining rare in medieval Arabic works on zoology. By implication, animals in the Qur'an and early Muslim thought are usually seen solely in terms of their relation to human beings, producing a tendency toward anthropocentrism.
The
Qur'an applies the word "Muslim" not only to humans but also to other
animals and the inanimate world. "The divine will manifests itself in
the form of laws both in human society and in the world of nature."
In Islamic terminology, for example, a bee is a Muslim precisely
because it lives and dies obeying the sharia
that God has prescribed for the community of bees, just as a person
is a Muslim by virtue of the fact that he or she submits to the
revealed sharia ordained for humans in the Qur'an and Sunnah.
The Quran strongly enjoins Muslims to treat animals with compassion and not to abuse them. The Qur'an states that all creation praises God, even if this praise is not expressed in human language. In verse 6:38, the Qur'an applies the term ummah, generally used to mean "a human religious community", for genera of animals. The Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an states that this verse has been "far reaching in its moral and ecological implications."
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.
— Quran 6:38 According to many verses of the Qur'an, the consumption of pork is sinful, unless there is no alternative other than starving to death (in times, for example, of war or famine).
The Quran strongly enjoins Muslims to treat animals with compassion and not to abuse them. The Qur'an states that all creation praises God, even if this praise is not expressed in human language. In verse 6:38, the Qur'an applies the term ummah, generally used to mean "a human religious community", for genera of animals. The Encyclopaedia of the Qur'an states that this verse has been "far reaching in its moral and ecological implications."
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.
— Quran 6:38 According to many verses of the Qur'an, the consumption of pork is sinful, unless there is no alternative other than starving to death (in times, for example, of war or famine).
Sunnah
Sunnah refers to the traditional biographies of Muhammad wherein
examples of sayings attributed to him and his conduct have been
recorded. Sunni and Shi'a hadith (anecdotes about Muhammad) differ vastly, with Shi'a hadith generally containing more anthropomorphism and praise of animals.
Treatment of animals
It is forbidden to beat animals unnecessarily, to brand them on the face, or to allow them to fight each other for human entertainment. "They must not be mutilated while they are alive."
Muhammad is also reported (by Ibn Omar and Abdallah bin Al-As) to have said: "There is no man who kills [even] a sparrow or anything smaller, without its deserving it, but God will question him about it [on the judgment day]" and "Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself."
According to another hadith, Muhammad issued advice to kill fawasiq ("harmful") animals, such as the rat and the scorpion, within the holy area (haram) of Mecca. Killing other non-domesticated animals in this area, such as zebras and birds, is forbidden.
Treatment of animals
It is forbidden to beat animals unnecessarily, to brand them on the face, or to allow them to fight each other for human entertainment. "They must not be mutilated while they are alive."
Muhammad is also reported (by Ibn Omar and Abdallah bin Al-As) to have said: "There is no man who kills [even] a sparrow or anything smaller, without its deserving it, but God will question him about it [on the judgment day]" and "Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself."
According to another hadith, Muhammad issued advice to kill fawasiq ("harmful") animals, such as the rat and the scorpion, within the holy area (haram) of Mecca. Killing other non-domesticated animals in this area, such as zebras and birds, is forbidden.
Conversation with animals
In both Muslim accounts, Muhammad is said to have conversed nonchalantly with camels, birds and other species. Shi'a accounts also extend this to include the Imams. In one account, a camel is said to have come to Muhammad to complain that despite its service to its owner, it was due to be killed. Muhammad summoned the owner and ordered the man to spare the camel.
There is also an account in the Qur'an sura an-Naml of Sulaymaan (Solomon) talking to ants and birds,The Twelver and Ismaili Shi'a Imams declared that they could communicate with anything that had a soul.
Hunter and slaughter
Main article: Dhabihah Muslims are required to sharpen the blade when slaughtering animals. Muhammad is reported to have said: "For each creature which has a wet heart [i.e. is alive], there is a reward."Muhammad opposed recreational hunting saying: "Whoever shoots at a living creature for sport is cursed."
There is also an account in the Qur'an sura an-Naml of Sulaymaan (Solomon) talking to ants and birds,The Twelver and Ismaili Shi'a Imams declared that they could communicate with anything that had a soul.
Hunter and slaughter
Main article: Dhabihah Muslims are required to sharpen the blade when slaughtering animals. Muhammad is reported to have said: "For each creature which has a wet heart [i.e. is alive], there is a reward."Muhammad opposed recreational hunting saying: "Whoever shoots at a living creature for sport is cursed."
Views regarding particular animals
Bats
In Shi'a hadith, bats are praised as a miracle of nature.
Birds
Birds are commonly revered in Islamic literature, especially in the Sufi tradition, where they are a metaphor for the soul's divine journey to God (e.g. in The Conference of the Birds). In the Nahj al-Balagha, the Shi'a book of the sayings of Ali, an entire sermon is dedicated to praising peacocks.
Camels
Reportedly, Muhammad's camel Qaswa was very dear to him. Muhammad is also reported as having reprimanded some men who were sitting idly on their camels in a marketplace, saying "either ride them or leave them alone".
Cats
Cats have a special place in Islamic culture. Muhammad is said to have loved his cat Muezza to the extent that "he would do without his cloak rather than disturb one that was sleeping on it."
Pigs
Pork is haram (forbidden) to eat.
Snakes
Snakes are considered to represent viciousness.
Dogs
The historian William Montgomery Watt states that Muhammad's kindness to animals was remarkable given the social context of his upbringing. He cites an instance of Muhammed, while traveling with his army to Mecca in 630 CE, posting sentries to ensure that a female dog and her newborn puppies were not disturbed.
On the other hand, in a tradition found in the Sunni hadith book al-Muwatta, Muhammad is reported as saying that the company of dogs voids a portion of a Muslim’s good deeds. However, in "two separate narrations by Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet told his companions of the virtue of saving the life of a dog by giving it water and quenching its thirst. One story referred to a man who was blessed by Allah for giving water to a thirsty dog, the other was a prostitute who filled her shoe with water and gave it to a dog, who had its tongue lolling out from thirst. For this deed she was granted the ultimate reward, the eternal Paradise under which rivers flow, to live therein forever."
Bats
In Shi'a hadith, bats are praised as a miracle of nature.
Birds
Birds are commonly revered in Islamic literature, especially in the Sufi tradition, where they are a metaphor for the soul's divine journey to God (e.g. in The Conference of the Birds). In the Nahj al-Balagha, the Shi'a book of the sayings of Ali, an entire sermon is dedicated to praising peacocks.
Camels
Reportedly, Muhammad's camel Qaswa was very dear to him. Muhammad is also reported as having reprimanded some men who were sitting idly on their camels in a marketplace, saying "either ride them or leave them alone".
Cats
Cats have a special place in Islamic culture. Muhammad is said to have loved his cat Muezza to the extent that "he would do without his cloak rather than disturb one that was sleeping on it."
Pigs
Pork is haram (forbidden) to eat.
Snakes
Snakes are considered to represent viciousness.
Dogs
The historian William Montgomery Watt states that Muhammad's kindness to animals was remarkable given the social context of his upbringing. He cites an instance of Muhammed, while traveling with his army to Mecca in 630 CE, posting sentries to ensure that a female dog and her newborn puppies were not disturbed.
On the other hand, in a tradition found in the Sunni hadith book al-Muwatta, Muhammad is reported as saying that the company of dogs voids a portion of a Muslim’s good deeds. However, in "two separate narrations by Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet told his companions of the virtue of saving the life of a dog by giving it water and quenching its thirst. One story referred to a man who was blessed by Allah for giving water to a thirsty dog, the other was a prostitute who filled her shoe with water and gave it to a dog, who had its tongue lolling out from thirst. For this deed she was granted the ultimate reward, the eternal Paradise under which rivers flow, to live therein forever."
According to a Sunni narration classified as authentic by Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, black dogs are a manifestation of evil in animal form; Khaled Abou El Fadl states that the majority of scholars regard this to be "pre-Islamic Arab mythology" and "a tradition to be falsely attributed to the Prophet".
Another tradition attributed to Muhammad commands Muslims not to trade or deal in dogs. The Hanafi school, however – the largest school of ritual law in Sunni Islam – dismisses this claim and permits dog trading.
Many Muslim jurists consider dogs to be ritually unclean. (najis) However, "jurists from the Sunni Maliki School disagree with the idea that dogs are unclean." Individual fatāwā ("rulings") have indicated that dogs be treated kindly or otherwise released and earlier Islamic literature often portrayed dogs as symbols of highly esteemed virtues such as self-sacrifice and loyalty, which, in the hands of despotic and unjust rulers, become oppressive instruments.
Abou El Fadl "found it hard to believe that the same God who created such companionable creatures would have his prophet declare them 'unclean', stating that animosity towards dogs "reflected views far more consistent with pre-Islamic Arab customs and attitudes". Furthermore, "he found that a hadith from one of the most trustworthy sources tells how the Prophet himself had prayed in the presence of his playfully cavorting dogs."
Another tradition attributed to Muhammad commands Muslims not to trade or deal in dogs. The Hanafi school, however – the largest school of ritual law in Sunni Islam – dismisses this claim and permits dog trading.
Many Muslim jurists consider dogs to be ritually unclean. (najis) However, "jurists from the Sunni Maliki School disagree with the idea that dogs are unclean." Individual fatāwā ("rulings") have indicated that dogs be treated kindly or otherwise released and earlier Islamic literature often portrayed dogs as symbols of highly esteemed virtues such as self-sacrifice and loyalty, which, in the hands of despotic and unjust rulers, become oppressive instruments.
Abou El Fadl "found it hard to believe that the same God who created such companionable creatures would have his prophet declare them 'unclean', stating that animosity towards dogs "reflected views far more consistent with pre-Islamic Arab customs and attitudes". Furthermore, "he found that a hadith from one of the most trustworthy sources tells how the Prophet himself had prayed in the presence of his playfully cavorting dogs."
Despite harsh penalties for so-called un-Islamic activities, many Iranians are defying the ban on pet ownership.
Iranian video showing stray dogs' killings sparks protests in major cities - Protesters in Tehran and Shiraz demand an end to the killings of stray dogs by lethal injection and instead want the authorities to vaccinate and shelter them.
Iranian video showing stray dogs' killings sparks protests in major cities - Protesters in Tehran and Shiraz demand an end to the killings of stray dogs by lethal injection and instead want the authorities to vaccinate and shelter them.
Dogs in the Qurʼān
The Qurʼān contains three mentions of dogs:
Trained hunting dogs and the dog of the Companions of the Cave are described in a positive light, and the companionship of these dogs is mentioned with approval. The Qurʼān, thus, contains not even a hint of the condemnation of dogs found in certain ḥadīths.
The Qurʼān contains three mentions of dogs:
- Verse 5:4 says "Lawful for you are all good things, and [the prey] that trained [hunting] dogs and falcons catch for you."
- Verse 7:176 says that if you drive a dog away, it lolls out its tongue, panting, but if you leave it alone, it lolls out its tongue anyhow.
- Verse 18:18 describes the Companions of the Cave, a group of saintly young men presented in the Qurʼān as exemplars of religion, sleeping with "their dog stretching out its forelegs at the threshold." Further on, in verse 22, the dog is always counted as one of their number, no matter how they are numbered. In Muslim folklore, affectionate legends have grown around the loyal and protective qualities of this dog, whose name in legend is Qiṭmīr.
Trained hunting dogs and the dog of the Companions of the Cave are described in a positive light, and the companionship of these dogs is mentioned with approval. The Qurʼān, thus, contains not even a hint of the condemnation of dogs found in certain ḥadīths.
Dogs in ḥadīths
Ibn Mughaffal reported: "The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) ordered killing of the dogs, and then said: What about them, i. e. about other dogs? and then granted concession (to keep) the dog for hunting and the dog for (the security) of the herd, and said: When the dog licks the utensil, wash it seven times, and rub it with earth the eighth time." (From Muslim Book #002, Hadith #0551)
Ibn 'Umar reported "Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) giving command for killing dogs..." (From Muslim Book #010, Hadith #3809)
Some Muslim commentators (e.g. Bassam Zawadi) suggest however that these killings were to be limited to "rabid dogs."[Bukhari 4:538:
A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.
This is an extraordinary hadith, because following the Sunnah of Muhammad, prostitutes can be extremely despised figures among most Muslims, yet it expresses the idea that even someone working in one of the most despised of professions, in showing mercy to an animal, can merit the forgiveness of Allah, and the wise.
Ibn 'Umar reported "Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) giving command for killing dogs..." (From Muslim Book #010, Hadith #3809)
Some Muslim commentators (e.g. Bassam Zawadi) suggest however that these killings were to be limited to "rabid dogs."[Bukhari 4:538:
A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.
This is an extraordinary hadith, because following the Sunnah of Muhammad, prostitutes can be extremely despised figures among most Muslims, yet it expresses the idea that even someone working in one of the most despised of professions, in showing mercy to an animal, can merit the forgiveness of Allah, and the wise.
Prohibition on keeping dogs except those exempted by sharee’ah
With regard to keeping dogs, this is haraam and is in fact a major sin, because the one who keeps a dog, except those for which an exception has been made, will have two qiraats deducted from his reward every day - Islam Question and Answer
Term as insult
The word kalb (كلب meaning "dog") can be used as an insulting epithet, especially in compound terms such as beni-el-kalb ("sons of dogs") or ibn-al-kalb ("son of a dog").
The word kalb (كلب meaning "dog") can be used as an insulting epithet, especially in compound terms such as beni-el-kalb ("sons of dogs") or ibn-al-kalb ("son of a dog").
Religious impurity
The majority of Muslim jurists consider dogs to be ritually unclean, though jurists from the Sunni Maliki school disagree. However, outside their ritual uncleanness, Islamic fatāwā, or rulings, enjoin that dogs be treated kindly or else be freed.
Muslims generally cast dogs in a negative light because of their ritual impurity. The story of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Qur'an (and also the role of the dog in early Christianity) is one of the striking exceptions. Though dogs are not recommended as pets, they are allowed to be kept, especially if used for work and protection, such as guarding the house or farm, or when used for hunting purposes.
Muslims generally cast dogs in a negative light because of their ritual impurity. The story of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus in the Qur'an (and also the role of the dog in early Christianity) is one of the striking exceptions. Though dogs are not recommended as pets, they are allowed to be kept, especially if used for work and protection, such as guarding the house or farm, or when used for hunting purposes.
Muslims and sniffer dogs
Despite a reporting suggesting that sniffer dogs trained to detect explosives should no longer come into contact with Muslim passengers, the British Transport Police insisted it would still use them with any passengers, though handlers would remain aware of “cultural sensitivities”.
A proposal was made from the Association of Chief Police Officers of Britain that sniffer dogs used in searching mosques and Muslim homes should be fitted with leather bootees to cover their paws and thereby avoid causing offence. Muslim convicts in British prisons are entitled to fresh clothes and linen if they feel these may have been in contact with canine saliva, while copies of the Quran and other religious items are to be checked by hand - Animals in Islam
Despite a reporting suggesting that sniffer dogs trained to detect explosives should no longer come into contact with Muslim passengers, the British Transport Police insisted it would still use them with any passengers, though handlers would remain aware of “cultural sensitivities”.
A proposal was made from the Association of Chief Police Officers of Britain that sniffer dogs used in searching mosques and Muslim homes should be fitted with leather bootees to cover their paws and thereby avoid causing offence. Muslim convicts in British prisons are entitled to fresh clothes and linen if they feel these may have been in contact with canine saliva, while copies of the Quran and other religious items are to be checked by hand - Animals in Islam
