Articles: A Golden Age of Animal Care
Historically cultures of what is today the Near and Middle East had deep respect and reverence for all creatures especially during the period known as the ‘Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation’. This space enlightens us with some examples from that period so care and respect lessons can be drawn.
Animal Care a Thousand Years Ago
A thousand years ago, respect and reverence for all creatures prevailed. People had a strong regard for the care of animals. This is due to the attention in tradition to encourage the wellbeing and good-treatment of other creatures of God. People of Muslim faith believe that an ill-treated animal will testify against its abuser before God. This article provides a deeper insight into the Islamic attitude towards animals.
Cats in Middle Eastern Culture
This article describes the various cultural representations associated with cats in Muslim civilisation and shows examples of the respect, love and understanding towards cats then. This original attitude has developed throughout a thousand year history and crystallised in strong cultural and mystical dimensions, of which we find evident and numerous traces in Islamic art, science, medicine, and zoology.
The Principles of Animal Advocacy in Islam
The Qurān—the scripture of the Muslims, which purports to be from the Creator of the Universe—presents a rational, holistic, and integrated view of life, where the human being is considered an integral, coexistential part of nature who has responsibilities as representative of the Creator on earth. This responsibility is both based on, and directed by, four principles/realisations called “ecognitions,” from which all animal rights can be formulated and through which a case for proactive animal advocacy can be advanced
Publications
Al-Jahiz and the Book of Animals Short Film
Short feature film from producer Ahmed Salim that explores the animal kingdom through the eyes of Al-Jahiz.
Al-Jahiz and the Book of Animals - Children's Book
Beautifully illustrated book for young readers taking children on an exciting journey of discovery with messages echoing those set by the campaign of the importance of respecting all creatures and caring for animals while striving to protect the environment. It prompts readers to take positive action in global nature conservation efforts.
Resources
1. Useful Links
Various guides on community cat management from global animal welfare organisations, latest research and science-based facts, selected governing animal welfare laws.
Guide from the USA-based ASPCpro to Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and Colony Care.
UAE law on Animal Welfare and its latest updates.
2. Animal Welfare in Islam
The main sources of knowledge in Islam* give a clear indication of the care Islam has for all living creatures guided by principles of compassion, mercy, justice and keeping the balance of nature.
*The main sources of knowledge about the position of Islam on environment are the Quran, the Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH), Sirah (documented life of Prophet Muhammad), and the life of his Companions
In Islam, humans are considered the only being created as vicegerent on Earth until the day of judgement.Thus, compassion towards animals and caring for them is part and parcel of the responsibility bestowed upon humans guided by the key principles listed above.Various selected articles and studies that highlight animal rights and animal welfare principles in Islam can be viewed here:
Animal Rights and Welfare
All living creatures including humans, animals, birds and insects are worthy for consideration and deserve respect since Islam views them as Allah’s creations. Islam strongly enforces its followers to treat animals with compassion and do not abuse them. The Holy Quran and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammed PBUH) include numerous references and stories linked to compassion to animals and their rights, also some references to punishment and reward. Uncover more details in those articles and research papers.
Comprehensive look at animals rights in Islam; in the holy Quran and Sunnah. Talks about compassion, rewards and punishment. Read more.
General overview about animals in Islam. Read more.
Brief overview of animals in Islam by the Humane Society. Read more.
All creatures should be treated with kindness and mercy. A view from Islam and the Quran. Read more.
From the start of an animal’s life to its end, there were clear rules on maintaining its welfare. Mercy to animals goes hand in hand with faith. Read more.
The compassion and mercy of Islam not only encompasses humanity, but also extends to all creatures in the world. Read more.
ANIMAL WELFARE IN ISLAM attempts to bring out the kind and compassionate Islamic teachings regarding animal welfare. Read more.
A religious and philosophical perspective quotations from Islam. Read more
Cats in Islam
Cats are seen as ritually clean in Islam. There are many records of the Prophet's love for cats and his relationship with them. One of the Prophet's companions nicknamed Abu Huraira was given this name by the Prophet for caring for a small cat. In one of the Prophet's Hadith he says "“Cats are one of those that go around amongst you” indicating their closeness to humans and presence in their surroundings.
In Islamic tradition, cats are admired for their cleanliness. They are thought to be ritually clean, and are thus allowed to enter homes. Read more.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was tender and kind towards cats. He appreciated cats. Read more.
In Islam, some refer to cats as “the quintessential pet”. We might like to keep them for their companionship, their gentleness or just for how adorable they are. But did you know Islam is also crazy about cats? Islam teaches us to love all living things – humans and animals alike, but cats especially. In Islamic history, cats have always been revered. Read more.
Dealing with Stray Animals in Islam
The Qurān—the scripture of the Muslims, which purports to be from the Creator of the Universe—presents a rational, holistic, and integrated view of life, where the human being is considered an integral, coexistential part of nature who has responsibilities as representative of the Creator on earth. This responsibility is both based on, and directed by, four principles/realisations called “ecognitions,” from which all animal rights can be formulated and through which a case for proactive animal advocacy can be advanced
Research Paper looks at issues of pet ownership, abandonment, dealing with stray animals.
This study was conducted with the purpose of collecting authentic guidelines in Islam and exploring the view of Muslim scholars regarding animal care. The study suggested that a need for developing a strategy by the relevant authorities regarding guidelines on some controversial issues such as animal neutering, spaying, and euthanasia to reduce the problems of pet owners, as well as to prevent the dangers of zoonotic diseases in the community. This study also serves as a comprehensive overview for the readers that assist them in obtaining knowledge, and increase their understanding of animal care in Islam. Read more.
Dar Al-Iftaa in Egypt prohibited the poisoning of stray animals as response to a question on their website Read more.
There is evidence from Sharee’ah texts that Ihsaan (doing good) is required from a Muslim and that he gets reward (from Allaah) for being good to everything, and animals are included in this. Read more.
If neighbours are bothered by cats being fed, should feeding be stopped?. Read more.
Cats and Dogs as Pets at Home
Islam encourages care and compassion towards all creatures and animals are no different. Therefore pets are no different. There are, however, certain rules that apply to having animals as pets; that the animal be permissible (pigs not allowed for example), that general rules of cleanliness and purity in the house apply, and that the animals are cares for appropriately and humanly and treated well. Cats and birds tended to be the most popular pet animals amongst Muslims, as well as guard and hunting dogs.
In Islam, animals are deemed worthy or mercy and care as creations of Allah just as people are. The report looks at the life of a couple of Muslim animal lovers. Read more.
An article considers rights of pets in light of the rights of animals in Islam. Read more.
Question and answer about keeping a cat in the house as pet in Islamic ruling. Read more.
The Egyptian scholar Maḥmūd Shaltūt (1893 – 1963 CE), who was Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar (Egypt’s highest authority on Sunni Islam), ruled that keeping a dog as a pet and letting it in the house is permissible as long as it is not diseased. However, he says that if the dog eats or drinks from a utensil, it must be washed thoroughly before it is used by a human.. Read more.
Dogs in Islam are conventionally thought of as ritually impure. This idea taps into a long tradition that considers even the mere sight of a dog during prayer to have the power to nullify a pious Muslim’s supplications. Similar to many other mistakenly viewed aspects of Islamic history, today both most Muslims and non-Muslims think that Islam and dogs don’t mix. Read more.
