Bismihi Ta`ala
There exist two extremes in this world. On one pole you will find Matadors arena whereby Bullfighters kill their animal pitilessly by piercing and hurting the animal. The fight attract attention of a public that applause when the bull is being injured. The poor animal suffers several injuries to then succumb to sudden death by piercing the animal directly in the heart or it will fall suffering hours until it dies. This happens in democratic countries whereby they always claim animal rights!
On the other hand, we have those extreme animal right defenders that claim that animals should not be killed at all for human utilities. They jump on meat eaters and want to issue a law prohibiting slaughtering of animals.
In the middle is the religion of Islam. Islam is on the moderation that prohibits animal suffering but allows humans to kill them for their needs or when found necessary.
Islam prohibits animal suffering and promote animal care.
Reported that the beloved prophet Muhammad said that a woman was being condemned because she tied a cat to death.(Bukhari) Another woman was being pardoned only on the basis that she saved a dog from dying of thirst.(Bukhari) On that, the beloved prophet Muhammad SAW was asked whether we will be rewarded if we act beneficially towards animals. The beloved prophet SAW answered the historic answer: ‘’There is reward in all kindness done towards any living thing.’’(Bukhari) This constitution was installed when people in the west had not yet recognized woman`s rights and had not yet accepted woman in their inheritance.
The prophet Muhammad is the last prophet after Noah, David, Jesus and Moses. He came with the last testament-The Coran-that state that animals will be resurrected on the day of Judgement. Because Islam call towards total justice, the injustice between lion and the sheep will be corrected! Let`s see that closely: ‘’And when the animals will be resurrected.’’(Coran-81:5)
عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لَتُؤَدُّنَّ الْحُقُوقَ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُقَادَ لِلشَّاةِ الْجَلْحَاءِ مِنْ الشَّاةِ الْقَرْنَاءِ
The beloved prophet peace be upon him is calling to our attention so that we acquit all the rights to everyone including animals by saying:
You would compensate all rights on the day of qiyamah, to such an extent of justice that an unhorned sheep will avenge as acquittal to a horned sheep.’’(Sahih Muslim)
Other reports says that the sheep will be given justice vis a vis the lion and it will eat the lion on plain of complete justice(Qiyaamah).
The beloved prophet SAW advised us to give the animal we use enough food and water and take care during travelling on them:
عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا سَافَرْتُمْ فِي الْخِصْبِ فَأَعْطُوا الْإِبِلَ حَظَّهَا مِنْ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذَا سَافَرْتُمْ فِي السَّنَةِ فَأَسْرِعُوا عَلَيْهَا السَّيْرَ وَإِذَا عَرَّسْتُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ فَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّرِيقَ فَإِنَّهَا مَأْوَى الْهَوَامِّ بِاللَّيْلِ
Muslim At the end, the prophet excelled in saying that when you sleep during travelling, then we should avoid the path ways of insects!(Muslim)
In another report of Tirmizi, the prophet Saw applauded planting a tree whereby whoever will benefit from that plant including humans, animals and birds will contribute to rewards to the one who planted it.(Tirmizi)
Another report of Bukhari, the prophet SAW prohibited us to use animals, birds or any living thing as a target of practice.
Muhammad is man that have cared for even insects and animals. And he has categorized one crime of a human as a crime of the total humanity!
Have you known that part of my prophet?
In this world, there happen to have people that care for animals, even more than humans! You should note that Islam protect animal rights, but give permission to humans to use animals or even kill them to complete human necessities. Because animals, birds and insects are all made subservient of humans in this world.
The Creator has said: ‘’He is the ONE who has created whatever is in this world objectively for you people.’’(Coran: 2:29)
The property and utilities of an animal remain in the hand of the Creator. He has given permission to slaughter an animal or a bird for a human need or even for an experience benefitting the human kind.
The Creator told Abraham a.s. in the Coran to train 4 birds and then slaughter them and scatter their remains to then recall them. This experience would benefit the conviction of Abraham a.s. that God revive the dead(2:260):
وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِنْ قَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِنْ لِيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي قَالَ فَخُذْ أَرْبَعَةً مِنَ الطَّيْرِ فَصُرْهُنَّ إِلَيْكَ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلَى كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِنْهُنَّ جُزْءًا ثُمَّ ادْعُهُنَّ يَأْتِينَكَ سَعْيًا وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
As such permissible to do experience on animals to benefit science that will improve human life. But not permissible to hurt or kill any animal without necessity or human benefit/protection.
The Coran describe animals as mode transport and a beautification for humans. They also benefit humans by their meat, skin and hair. But shariah defines which and how to use these animals.
But whenever there is a need to kill an animal or a nuisance insect, we should try to kill it in a way that will cause less suffering to the animal:
قَالَ ثِنْتَانِ حَفِظْتُهُمَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذَّبْحَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ فَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ\
مسلم
This report of muslim describe that we should kill with utmost care, sharpening the knife and kill with slitting the throat.
The science today recognize that throat slitting is the best way to kill an animal because all its nerves are cut and it feels almost no pain.
If you are a hunter of no pain, then know that science has just discovered that even vegetables also have life feelings. So try to live without veggies, meaties and fishies.
Because they all suffer. By the way Islam says there is life in plants, rocks and even the earth. Until science reaches there, rather believe in ONE God. This is more important.
When God wanted to test Abraham a.s. about his love to Allah, he was asked to sacrifice his only son(that time): Ishmael a.s. Because it was a test, after he laid his son face down on the ground, then 2 sheep was brought from Paradise.From then, we celebrate the sacrificial spirit of Abraham a.s. each year by sacrificing an animal to please God. Eid Ul Adhaa or Bakra Eid.
We have noted a rise of animal care during these last decades. These care should be more channelled to care for all humans that are suffering in India , Myanmar, Africa, Syria, Palestine and other humans.
*It should not be that you are slaughtering humans because they slaughter animals for their need. This is complete injustice and unfair to categorize humans as animals, or even cheaper.
If you have not reached to the moderation of Islam, then at least respect Muslims and their practice.Because Islamic faith and practice correspond simply to the optimum use of all resources of the world to benefit human kind.
There is tolerance of Rodeo and Vegan in this democratic world. Islam deserves more tolerance because it is on moderation.
عن نافع عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال عذبت امرأة في هرة سجنتها حتى ماتت فدخلت فيها النار لا هي أطعمتها ولا سقتها إذ حبستها ولا هي تركتها تأكل من خشاش الأرض
بخاري
عن سمي عن أبي صالح عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال بينا رجل يمشي فاشتد عليه العطش فنزل بئرا فشرب منها ثم خرج فإذا هو بكلب يلهث يأكل الثرى من العطش فقال لقد بلغ هذا مثل الذي بلغ بي فملأ خفه ثم أمسكه بفيه ثم رقي فسقى الكلب فشكر الله له فغفر له قالوا يا رسول الله وإن لنا في البهائم أجرا قال في كل كبد رطبة أجر
بخاري
عَنْ قَتَادَةَ عَنْ أَنَسٍ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَغْرِسُ غَرْسًا أَوْ يَزْرَعُ زَرْعًا فَيَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ إِنْسَانٌ أَوْ طَيْرٌ أَوْ بَهِيمَةٌ إِلَّا كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَةٌ
ترمذي
عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أنه دخل على يحيى بن سعيد وغلام من بني يحيى رابط دجاجة يرميها فمشى إليها ابن عمر حتى حلها ثم أقبل بها وبالغلام معه فقال ازجروا غلامكم عن أن يصبر هذا الطير للقتل فإني سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم نهى أن تصبر بهيمة أو غيرها للقتل
بخاري