Protection of
Animals Rights in Islam
Islamic
Shariah has well taken care of animal rights the same way as it has protected
human rights. It is narrated in a Hadith that once a camel came to Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) and kept on carrying. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called its
owner and Said “ The Camel complains me that you overload him” He Replied “ O,
Prophet (PBUH), it is right. I am sorry to commit such a bad deed. Now I repent
and shall never repeat the same ( Abu Daud).
Some
companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) caught nestling while their mothers
were hovering overhead fretfully. The Prophet (PBUH) got them freed and said, “
why do you rob their freedom and hurt their mothers?.” (Abu Daud).
Prophetic
tradition has forbidden urinating near a hole, because there might be living an
insect or worm and you cause discomfort to it. Such guidance goes in favour of
both, you and insects; on your part the avoidance of possible harm caused by
the insect in response to discomfort; and on insects’ part the avoidance of disturbance
and spoiling their abode, which you have no right to do.
One day
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went out of Madinah. He saw a deer roped to a hook in a
villager’s house. the deer cried as he saw the Prophet (PUBH) and said that the
villager caught her and her fawns were wailing because of hunger and requested
the Prophet (PBUH) to free her for a while, so that she could suckle her fawns.
The Prophet
Muhammad (PUBH) said, “ I swear, I shall keep my word” will you?” the deer replied,
“ I swear, I shall keep my words” the deer came back as promised, and the
Prophet (PBUH) fastened her with rope again. Later the Prophet (PBUH) related
story to the villager and recommended him to set the deer free. He set her
free. Leaping in happiness. She joined her fawns in hills with a word of blessing
for the Prophet (PBUH). (Abu Daud)
The story
makes it abundantly clear that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taken care of
everyone’s right. Considering the maternal affection of deer and the state of
fawns, he untied the rope so that the deer does not get hurts as fawns die out of
hunger, and fawns do not lose life. And taking the human rights into account,
he roped the deer again to make it a point that humans enjoy the right to catch
wild animals and domesticate or use them, and no body can interfere with this
right.
If we
analyze the story from another viewpoint / angel, it teaches us to keep our
promise. When an animal is asked to be true to his word, wise human being is
much more expected to keep his word, and also makes clear that if truth leads
to deliverance for animals, as the deer got freedom, why it should not entail
salvation for human being in both the world and Hereafter.
Islamic
jurists write, there must be grazing grounds in the countryside devoted for
domesticated and working animals where they can graze freely, enjoying their
right to food and freedom.
Good
natured and gentleman always take care of animal rights. Moulana Miyan Asghar
Hssain (RA) the rector of Darul Uloom Deoband always had small pieces of bread left on roofs after having
meal taking it as birds’ right that had little particles of food put near the
holes for ants, for it is right of the poor and tiny insects.
Prophetic
traditions tell us that it is unlawful to hurt and annoy any animal. A pious
woman had been thrown into hell only because she imprisoned a cat and did not
about its food and water, which led to the cat’s death. On the other hand, a
prostitute had been sent into haven only because she saved the life of a dying
dog by quenching its thirst. The detail is available in the books of Ahadith.
Islamic
Shariah advised not to slaughter an animal before another animal of the same
kind, lest it goes wild in panic after seeing its sister specie being slaughter.
Animals
too have right to live in peace and freedom and have proper sustenance and
shelter. We are bound to protect their rights and prohibited to do anything
that infringes upon their rights. However, if there is an animal is feral and causes
unrest, it may be imprisoned or killed. Behold, this treatment is no way
particular with animals. If a human being poses a threat to society, he is also
either sentenced or executed as per the severity of crime; so the rest may live
with a sense of security. Therefore, dangerous animals like snake and scorpion are
not given refuge even in Haram, and we are advised to kill such animals before
they bring any harm. But such treatment does not affect animal rights anyhow.
