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**Muhammad** · 09:09 PM

Greetings snakelegs,

Thankyou for bringing up this topic! Indeed, our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us the best characters and manners to the extent that even looking after the environment and the welfare of animals are acts of virtue.

Allaah has enjoined kindness in all things, as it says in the hadeeth: “Allaah is Kind and He loves kindness in all things.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5678) and Muslim (2165).

Muslim (2592) narrated that Jareer (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever is deprived of kindness is deprived of goodness.”

Some hadeeth were mentioned earlier regarding examples of kindness to animals; here is another:

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We were with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on a journey, and he went to relieve himself. We saw a bird with two chicks and we took away her chicks, and the bird started flapping her wings. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came and said: “Who has upset this bird by taking her children? Give her children back to her.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (2675); classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

And there are many more instances demonstrating how our Prophet (peace be upon him) was kind to animals and forbade cruel treatment of them, even at the time of slaughtering. As for the environment, acts such as removing something harmful from the road or planting a tree from which creatures will eat are considered acts of charity. Muslims are also taught to reflect upon God's signs in His creation, as many times in the Qur'an there is mention of the benefits that animals provide for us (milk, honey, clothing etc.) and the creation of the universe, hence teaching us to ponder over and respect Allah's creation.

With regards to the worship of Allah's creation, we find this mentioned many times in the Qur'an and also in the Sunnah. Here are some relevant verses from the Qur'an:

ART THOU NOT aware that it is God whose limitless glory all [creatures] that are in the heavens and on earth extol, even the birds as they spread out their wings?Asad(24,62) Each [of them] knows indeed how to pray unto Him and to glorify Him; and God has full knowledge of all that they do. 24:41

The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving. 17:44

And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our Praises along with Dawûd (David), And it was We Who were the doers (of all these things). 21:79

See you not that to Allâh prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and Ad-Dawâb (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and many of mankind? But there are many (men) on whom the punishment is justified. And whomsoever Allâh disgraces, none can honour him. Verily! Allâh does what He wills. 22:18

Have they not observed things that Allah has created: (how) their shadows shift from right to left, prostrating to Allah while they are humble). And to Allah prostrate all that are in the heavens and all that are in the earth, the moving creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allah) with humility]. They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded. 16:48-50

Regarding this last group of verses (16:48-50), the famous exegete Ibn Kathir mentions:

Everything prostrates to Allah

Allah informs us about His might, majesty and pride, meaning that all things submit themselves to Him and every created being - animate and inanimate, as well as the responsible - humans and Jinns, and the angels - all humble themselves before Him. He tells us that everything that has a shadow leaning to the right and the left, i.e., in the morning and the evening, is by its shadow, prostrating to Allah. Mujahid said, "When the sun passes its zenith, everything prostrates to Allah, may He be glorified.'' This was also said by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others.

(while they are humble) means, they are in a state of humility. Mujahid also said: "The prostration of every thing is its shadow'', and he mentioned the mountains and said that their prostrations are their shadows. Abu Ghalib Ash-Shaybani said: "The waves of the sea are its prayers''. It is as if reason is attributed to these inanimate objects when they are described as prostrating, so Allah says:

(And to Allah prostrate all that are in the heavens and all that are in the earth, of the moving creatures) As Allah says:

(And to Allah (alone) all who are in the heavens and the earth fall in prostration, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and in the afternoons.) (13:15)

I hope that has helped you to understand this concept better, and please ask if there is anything else

.

Peace.

	(#18 (permalink))
Muhammad Slave of Allaah Status: Offline Posts: 3,941 Reputation: 23145 Rep Power: 53 Join Date: Apr 2005 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Islam and Animals - 10-14-2006 Greetings snakelegs, Thankyou for bringing up this topic! Indeed, our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us the best characters and manners to the extent that even looking after the environment and the welfare of animals are acts of virtue. Allaah has enjoined kindness in all things, as it says in the hadeeth: “Allaah is Kind and He loves kindness in all things.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5678) and Muslim (2165). Muslim (2592) narrated that Jareer (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever is deprived of kindness is deprived of goodness.” Some hadeeth were mentioned earlier regarding examples of kindness to animals; here is another: It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: We were with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on a journey, and he went to relieve himself. We saw a bird with two chicks and we took away her chicks, and the bird started flapping her wings. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came and said: “Who has upset this bird by taking her children? Give her children back to her.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (2675); classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. And there are many more instances demonstrating how our Prophet (peace be upon him) was kind to animals and forbade cruel treatment of them, even at the time of slaughtering. As for the environment, acts such as removing something harmful from the road or planting a tree from which creatures will eat are considered acts of charity. Muslims are also taught to reflect upon God's signs in His creation, as many times in the Qur'an there is mention of the benefits that animals provide for us (milk, honey, clothing etc.) and the creation of the universe, hence teaching us to ponder over and respect Allah's creation. With regards to the worship of Allah's creation, we find this mentioned many times in the Qur'an and also in the Sunnah. Here are some relevant verses from the Qur'an: ART THOU NOT aware that it is God whose limitless glory all [creatures] that are in the heavens and on earth extol, even the birds as they spread out their wings?Asad(24,62) Each [of them] knows indeed how to pray unto Him and to glorify Him; and God has full knowledge of all that they do. *24:41* The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving. 17:44 *And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our Praises along with Dawûd (David), And it was We Who were the doers (of all these things). 21:79* See you not that to Allâh prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the mountains, and the trees, and Ad-Dawâb (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and many of mankind? But there are many (men) on whom the punishment is justified. And whomsoever Allâh disgraces, none can honour him. Verily! Allâh does what He wills. *22:18* Have they not observed things that Allah has created: (how) their shadows shift from right to left, prostrating to Allah while they are humble). And to Allah prostrate all that are in the heavens and all that are in the earth, the moving creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allah) with humility]. They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded. *16:48-50* Regarding this last group of verses (16:48-50), the famous exegete Ibn Kathir mentions: Everything prostrates to Allah Allah informs us about His might, majesty and pride, meaning that all things submit themselves to Him and every created being - animate and inanimate, as well as the responsible - humans and Jinns, and the angels - all humble themselves before Him. He tells us that everything that has a shadow leaning to the right and the left, i.e., in the morning and the evening, is by its shadow, prostrating to Allah. Mujahid said, "When the sun passes its zenith, everything prostrates to Allah, may He be glorified.'' This was also said by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. (while they are humble) means, they are in a state of humility. Mujahid also said: "The prostration of every thing is its shadow'', and he mentioned the mountains and said that their prostrations are their shadows. Abu Ghalib Ash-Shaybani said: "The waves of the sea are its prayers''. It is as if reason is attributed to these inanimate objects when they are described as prostrating, so Allah says: (And to Allah prostrate all that are in the heavens and all that are in the earth, of the moving creatures) As Allah says: (And to Allah (alone) all who are in the heavens and the earth fall in prostration, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and in the afternoons.) (13:15) I hope that has helped you to understand this concept better, and please ask if there is anything else . Peace. __________________ {...And indeed it is a Book of exalted power. No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise.} [Fussilat: 41-42] Islamic Newsletters:** http://www.islamleicester.com/Conten...7/Default.aspx If I make a mistake then please correct me, and if I have said something wrong then please forgive me. Last edited by Muhammad; 10-17-2006 at 09:09 PM. Reason: spelling mistake