Rights of Animals in Islam

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

"Fear Allah in the way you treat animals"

• The mercy of Islam extends beyond human beings to all living creations of God.

• Islam prohibits cruelty to animals.

• “A person said to the Prophet, “Verily I slaughter a sheep and show mercy to it.” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied,

“If you show mercy to a sheep, Allah will show double the mercy on you.”

• Islam laid down humane slaughtering regulations.

• Islam insists that the manner of slaughter should be that which is least painful to the animal.

• Islam requires that the slaughtering instrument not be sharpened in front of the animal.

• Islam also prohibits the slaughtering of one animal in front of another.

Rights of Animals

First, Islam requires that pets or farm animals be provided with proper food, water, and a place to live. Once the Prophet (Peace be upon him) passed by an emaciated camel due to hunger, he said: “Fear God in regards to these animals who can’t speak their will. If you ride them, treat them accordingly (by making them strong and fit for that), and if you [plan to] eat them, treat them accordingly (by making them fat and healthy).”
Second, an animal should not be beaten or tortured. Making animals fight one another for entertainment was also forbidden by the Prophet (Peace be upon him).
Third, Islam forbids using animals or birds for targets when practicing shooting. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “‘Whoever kills a bird or anything else without its due right, God would ask him about it.’ It was said: ‘O Messenger of God! What is its due right?’ He said: ‘To kill it for food…and do not sever its head, and throw it!’”
Fourth, separating nestling birds from their mothers is not allowed in Islam.
Fifth, it is forbidden to mutilate an animal by cutting off its ears, tails or other body parts without just reason.
Sixth, a sick animal under one’s care should be treated properly.