Islam and Animals

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hello snakelegs...

there are already a thread on ant here in LI...but i'm not sure where...

anyway...in Islam...ants have a special place.

we even have a surah (al-quran) named after the ant.

http://www.islamicvoice.com/june.2000/science.htm

The Ant - A Beautiful Creation Of Allah
This particular insect has been selected as a title (Aayat) of a Surah No.27 “The Ants” in the Noble Qur’an. Briefly, it discusses the advent of Hadhrat Sulayman (Alayhis salaam), with his hosts of Jinn, men and birds and they marched in arranged groups till they reached the Valley of Ants. Said one Ant “Oh you Ants! Get back into your dwellings, lest Sulayman and his hosts crush you unintentionally”. The Hadith and sayings of the companions are numerous relating to the Ant. Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports that the Prophet (Pbuh) said, “Do not kill four of these creatures viz. ant, bee, sparrows (wood-pecker), and any pigeon”. Hadhrat Abdur Rahman Ibn Abdullah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports that The Prophet (Pbuh) descended at a certain place - (house) and attended to the call of nature. Incidentally a man kindled a fire in a heap of ants, (either the house was built on a tree or on the ground). The Prophet (Pbuh) seeing this, exclaimed “Who did this? Extinguish it!! Extinguish it!” Abu Hurayrah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports that a certain Prophet from the many Prophets (Alayhis salaam) rested under the shade of a tree. An ant bit him. So the Prophet stood up to avenge for the bite. He spotted a large group of ants and killed them. A call was voiced to Him, “Was it not only one ant that bit you?”

Abu Hurayrah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports, I heard the Prophet (Pbuh) saying, A certain Prophet from the many Prophets (Alayhis salaam) was resting under the shade of a tree. An ant bit him. He instructed his belongings to be removed from there and immediately ordered the heap of Ants to be burnt. Allah Ta’ala revealed to him “Was it not only Ant that hurt you and you have ordered a full nation of ants to be destroyed who are engaged in the invocation of Allah Taala? Was it not one ant?”

Hassam Dastawani says that the ants and small ants during the season of summer bring love and prosperity to us but during the season of winter we fear they will dissipate our hoards.

Abu Bakr Najee reports that Hazrat Sulayman (Alayhis salaam) came out seeking water. Incidentally he spotted an ant with its bottom downwards and struggling with its legs up in the air upwards and saying, “Oh Allah we are one of your own creation, we are not independent of our thirst. Either you refreshen us and feed us or either kill us and destroy us.”

“ When they reached the Valley of the Ants, an Ant exclaimed, ‘O Ants! Enter your dwellings lest Sulaymaan and his armies crush you without noticing it.” (Naml : 18)

Life Style of Ants
In recent times, research has shown us several facts about the lifestyle of ants, which were not known earlier to mankind. Research has shown that the animals or insects whose lifestyle is closest in resemblance of the lifestyle of human beings are the ants. This can be seen from the following findings regarding ants:

The ants bury their dead in a manner similar to the humans.
They have a sophisticated system of division of labour.
Once in a while they meet among themselves to have a ‘chat’.
They have an advanced method of communication among themselves.
They hold regular markets wherein they exchange goods.
They store grains for long periods in winter and if the grain begins to bud, they cut the roots, If the grains stored by them get wet due to rains, they take these grains out into the sunlight to dry, and once these are dry, they take them back inside. Consider the following Qur’anic verses:

At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: ‘Oye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (Under foot) without knowing it.” (Al-Qur’an 27:17-18)

In the past, the so called ‘rationalist’ would have probably laughed and mocked at the Qur’an, taking it to be a fairy tale book in which ants talk to each other and communicate sophisticated messages!

C.P. Haskins in “The Ants and Her World” writes: “In fact ants are little chemical factories continuously producing an array of substance called pheromones, that serves the ant language. Through these pheromones the ants convey messages ranging from location of food to the presence of danger”!!!.
 
Assalamu Alaikum and Greetings,

I have this website on my userpage as well, but it explains the Islamic Jurisprudence Of the Environment. I've been meaning to post it here, but I couldn't find it in my favorite's list lol

This is what it says about Animals:

Animals: ​
Islam has enjoined upon Muslims right relationship with animals. They are asked to treat animals well, and they are not allowed to kill animals except for food. The latter permission has to be carried out in accordance with the Shari `ah. Only in limited cases some animals are allowed to be killed when they endanger the life of the human.

To slaughter an animal, one has to use sharp object that will save the animal the pain associated with the use of a blunted object. Shaddad Ibn Aws reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“…and excel in slaughtering; sharpen your blade [so you may] relief your slaughtered [animal].”10 ​

In fact, Islam went beyond any expectations when the Shari `ah demanded that the psyche of the animal should be taken into consideration. Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated from the report of `Umar that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made it imperative to sharpen the blades and to hide them from [the sight of] animals. This ethos is reiterated in another context. Ibn `Abbas reported that a man [kept] a sheep laid down while he was [still] sharpening his blade; the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said [to him]:

“Would you like it to die twice? Why didn’t you sharpen your blade before laying it down?”11​

The protection of animals in Islam includes the notion of hunting. While hunting is permitted in principle, it might become prohibited depending on the conditions that surround it. Ibn Taymiyyah, the Hanbalite medieval scholar, said that “hunting out of necessity is permitted; if it is for fun and playing, it is detested; and if it causes injustice to people, by destroying their fields and property, it is prohibited.”12

People should behave with great responsibility regarding hunting. Hunting should be out of necessity; where necessity is defined in terms of need for food, where other means are not possible. One should also take into consideration the authorities determination of hunting seasons and the kind and number of animals and birds allowed to be hunted. Also, hunting tools that cause great pain should be prohibited. The latter include traps that lock on the leg of the animal causing pain and bleeding until the hunter returns which could be for days!

The following story shows that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not tolerate any “hunting” which was not out of necessity. Ibn Mas`ud said: “We were traveling with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he left [us for a while]; we saw a bird with its two chicks and we took the chicks. [Their mother] started spreading its wings [in protest]. When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, came [and saw what happened] he said: ‘Who caused her to become bereaved [by taking away] her two children? Return her two children to her!’”13

One can appreciate the position of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, much more when one realizes the choice of words used in the hadith. Instead of chicks [farkhiyha], he used children [waladayha] which, reflect the a very humane perspective.

Moreover, one should not take lightly the issue of killing, without any justification, even if the victim is a very small animal or bird. `Abdullah Ibn `Amr reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“No human being kills a sparrow or [something] larger, without right, except that God will ask him about it (hold him responsible!) on the Day of Judgment” It was said: ‘O Prophet of God! What is its right?’ He said: ‘Its right is that you slaughter it and eat it, not that you decapitate it and throw it!’”14​

Another hadith to the same effect was narrated by Ahmad, Al-Nisa’i and Ibn Hibban from the report of Al-Sharid, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying:

“If you kill a sparrow senselessly, it will hasten to God on the Day of Judgment saying: ‘O Lord! So and So killed me for play and not for use!’” ​

Commenting on the previous two narrations and what could be deduced from them, Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi said:

“The Jurist [faqih] deduces from them the prohibition of the killing of an animal except for food. That is why Imam Al-Mundhiri included both of them in his book at-Targhib wa at-Tarhib, in order to warn people against mutilating animals, and killing them except for food.

Animal rights groups deduce that it is imperative to respect these living beings, to protect their life, and not to touch them except for a need.

The ecologists see in these two narrations the necessity to preserve the components of the environment, and not to allow [destructive] playing which will lead to the annihilation and extinction of these components without any reason.

As for the economist, he understands that the hadith clearly brings the attention to the imperative need to protect all resources. They should not be wasted in vain without any economic return. Killing an edible animal without eating it means the loss of a part of the national resources, albeit small.

The scholar of ethics realizes the comprehensive nature of Islamic ethics. He also sees how broad is the domain of responsibility which includes, in addition to human beings, all living beings including animals and birds. Indeed, in other narrations, it includes inanimate objects.

The same applies to the scholar of education, for Islamic education has a broad horizon, and goes beyond religious education, which in the minds of many people is restricted to imbuing the creed, and teaching the rituals. It is education that encompasses every activity of the human which practiced in life: spiritual and material, religious and worldly, individual and social, theoretical and practical.”15 ​

Another area of prohibition covers the hunting of wild animals for reasons other than food (e.g. for fur). Mu`awiya, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Do not ‘ride’ on silk and tiger fur”16

The prohibition of the use of silk and tiger fur, for seating, whether on saddles or in homes, is to prevent pompous life styles. One can deduce, by analogy, that the fur of all wild cats can not be used. This might come in handy to help in the protection of the endangered Asian tigers that face the extinction though for a different reason. Many people in South East Asia and the Far East believe in the existence of Aphrodisiac foods that are associated with “strong” animals including parts of tigers…etc.

In addition, Islam prohibits the use of animals as targets for shooting. Ibn `Umar passed by a group of youth, from the tribe of Quraysh, who were shooting their arrows at a bird, and whenever they miss the aim, the owner of the bird takes the arrow for himself. But when they saw Ibn `Umar they dispersed. He exclaimed: who did this? May he be cursed!17 The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed those who create a target out of a being with a soul.

Any unjustified killing of an animal, direct or indirect is prohibited. There is a great punishment awaiting those who do so. Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“A woman who tied a cat will go to Hellfire; she neither fed it, nor allowed it to find food on its own.”18​

The prohibition to kill animals for no public or private good has been already mentioned in the speech of Abu Bakr to the Muslim army.

Furthermore, hitting the animals and marking them in the face is prohibited. Jabir reported a hadith to this effect: one should look for alternative ways to mark animals such as non poisonous paint…etc.19

It is also prohibited to set animals against one another. This practice is associated nowadays with gambling. Ibn `Abbas reported a hadith in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibits this practice.20

The Shari`ah aims to protect animals from abuse in the name of having fun or sport. It is clear that “wrestling” bulls cannot be accepted from an Islamic perspective as a sport. I find it obnoxious that sport programs air these “sports”! One should reconsider whether harming oneself or others, be it humans [e.g. boxing] or animals, could be included in sports.

To protect the animals, Islam has also looked into the load an animal can carry without harm. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited riding on weak animals.21

The Companions and later on generations acted according to this Hadith: Malik reported that `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, when he was a Caliph, passed by a donkey with mud blocks on it. He [assessed that the load was excessive and] unloaded two blocks. The lady who owned the donkey asked `Umar: Do you have an authority over my donkey? He answered: What do you think I am doing in this position?22

It is clear that the institution of the Caliphate, the highest executive office in the Islamic state, is responsible for the welfare of all the living beings within its jurisdiction. This is clear in the answer of `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab. It is also vivid in the decrees of Caliphs who came later. According to Ibn `Abd Al-Hakam, `Umar Ibn `Abd Al-`Aziz sent a letter to the governor of Egypt asking him to reduce the load of a camel from one thousand to six hundred pounds.23

Not only physical harm to animals is prohibited, but also insulting or cursing. An-Nawawi, in his famous compendium of Hadith Riyad as-Salihin which has a topical arrangement, established a chapter under the title “The Prohibition of Cursing a Specific Human being or an Animal”. He narrated a hadith based on the report of `Imran Ibn Al-Hasin who said:

“The Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, was traveling once [with a group of companions which included] a woman from amongst the Ansar on a camel. [It seems that at one point driving her camel became difficult] she was annoyed, and cursed the camel! The Messenger of God heard her and said: ‘Now that it is cursed, unload it and allow it [to roam free].’”

`Imran said: I can almost see it now going around amongst people and no one pays attention to it.24​

One of the most unique features of the Shari `ah is the way voluntary almsgiving [sadaqah] is distributed. It is stated that it could be given “to rescue those in need amongst the servants of God and the creatures that God has enjoined upon us to take care of them.”25
This position is also stated by Ibn Taymiyyah who said that “being good to animals is one way of Worshipping God [`Ibadah]”.26 All this is in line with the Hadith of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “There is reward in [caring for] every living being.”27

The books of jurisprudence are full with discourses regarding the care of animals. This should not come as a surprise if we know that one of the prophets of Islam, Sulayman [Solomon], peace and blessings be upon him, has changed the path of his army to avoid hurting ants:

“At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: ‘O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his soldiers crush you (under foot) without knowing it.’ So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: ‘O my Lord! So order me that I may be grateful for thy favors, which Thou hast bestowed on me and my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: and admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants.’” (Qur’an, 27:18-19) ​

So the greatness of the kingdom that was granted to prophet Sulayman, along with all the might associated with it, did not prevent him from heeding to the ants. This position towards the ants is further confirmed in a Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud, with a sound chain of narrators, that Ibn `Abbas reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited the killing of four creatures: “The ant, the bee, the hoopoe and the sparrow-hawk.”

The story of Nuh and the Flood also confirms the utmost care to prevent the extinction of any species. God commanded him to carry a pair of every species in the ark:

“…We said: “Embark therein, of each kind two, male and female…” (Qur’an, 11:40 ) ​

Yet, when an animal is proven to be a source of danger or harm, it is permitted to kill it. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from the report of `A’ishah that the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Five creatures, all harmful, can be killed in the Haram [Sanctuary of Makkah]: the crow, the kite, the scorpion, the mouse and the dog that bites [people without being provoked]”. ​
If it were not for the harm, actual or anticipated, there would be no permission to kill these animals, rodents, insects and birds. This message is further confirmed in another Hadith of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, he said:

“Weren’t the dogs a community like all communities, I would have ordered the killing of [all] of them. So kill the wild and black amongst them.”28

The reference to animals living in communities is clearly stated in the Qur’an:

“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…” (Qur’an, 6:38 ) ​

The Hadith that allows killing the said five animals in the Haram, shows that the original position towards the Haram, the Noble Sanctuary in Makkah, is to prohibit any act of killing, including hunting, by pilgrims. Also cutting the trees of the Haram is prohibited. The Haram might be considered the first protected “natural reservation” in the history of humanity. To emphasize the sanctity of the Haram, which is created by Divine order, the transgressors are punished:

“ye who believe! Kill not game while in the Sacred precincts or in pilgrim garb. If any of you doth so intentionally, the compensation is an offering, brought to the Ka`bah, of a domestic animal equivalent to the one killed, as adjudged by two just men among you; or by way of atonement, the feeding of the indigent; or its equivalent in fasts: that he may taste the penalty of his deed. God forgives what is past: for repetition God will exact from him the penalty. For God is Exalted, and the Lord of Retribution.” (Qur’an, 5:98) ​

Rest of Article here

The Article also includes Human Beings, Plants, the Air, Water, and Land.

fi aman Allah
w'salaam
 
Tayyaba said:
SubhanAllah i love this thread. Keep it up guys!
Click to expand...
me too - this is a great thread. again thanks to everyone. i liked the stories about the ant too, even if i confess that they are one critter i do kill - but only if they come in to the house and take over the kitchen.
thanks syilla and charisma!
this is pretty cool too "The prostration of everything in the universe to Allaah":
http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=27036&ln=eng
 
snakelegs said:
me too - this is a great thread. again thanks to everyone. i liked the stories about the ant too, even if i confess that they are one critter i do kill - but only if they come in to the house and take over the kitchen.
Click to expand...

Lol I try not to kill them, instead I pick them up with a paper or something and put them outside lol. Since I know now your not supposed too. I killed a bee few days back =\. I was at uni waiting for class to start and it was on my books lol. Ahhh but I feel bad.
 
Fi_Sabilillah said:
:salamext:


I can't really find any fatwa/ruling on the killing of spider's, sorry.
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We don't need a fatwa to know you shouldn't kill 'em though. You never know, one might be radioative and bite you with its dying breath, giving you the abilities and proportional strength of a spider!

With great power comes great responsibility.

And with great tiredness comes non-sensical posts such as this one. :p
 
Do hamsters come under rats and mice, cos I realy raelly want one or two or three, i remember i had a mouse, had it secretly at home and then i lost it and then my mom and brother saw it on a different night as they were sitting down watchin tv run across the front room lol thats when i was younger though :p


Lol Edit, this somali brother told me, he always tells me stories, but he said the lizard was outside the cave when the mushriks were there, and it pointed at the cave with its tongue.
 
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I havn't heard of any narration like that bro 'EesaAbdullah [it's not mentioned in the seerah by awlaki], but this is what i've read about the salamander which is kinda like a lizard:


salamanderin5.jpg




And it can grow this big:

salamandersr0.jpg






In al-Saheehayn and elsewhere it is narrated via Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyib that Um Shareek told him that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told her to kill salamanders. According to the report narrated by al-Bukhaari, he said: “It (the salamander) used to blow on Ibraaheem, peace be upon him.”



Ibn Maajah (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated in his Sunan from Saa’ibah the slave woman of al-Faakih ibn al-Mugheerah that she entered upon ‘Aa’ishah and saw a spear sitting there in her house. She said, “O Mother of the Believers, what do you do with this?” She said, “We kill these salamanders with it, because the Prophet of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that when Ibraaheem was thrown into the fire, there was no animal on earth but it tried to extinguish the fire, except for the salamander, which was blowing on the fire (to keep it burning). So the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded that they should be killed.”

(Sunan Ibn Maajah, 3222. He said in al-Zawaa’id, the isnaad of ‘Aa’ishah’s hadeeth is saheeh, its men are thiqaat (trustworthy)



(But this isn't being harsh because we're supposed to kill him with as less blows as possible: )

He - the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever kills a salamander with one blow will have such and such hasanah (good deeds); whoever kills it with the second blow will have such and such hasanah, less than the first; and whoever kills it with three blows will have such and such hasanah – less that the second.”


And Allaah knows best.


http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13821&ln=eng&txt=salamander

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