Mercy towards animals

What does it mean to be responsible for a creature placed in our care?

A woman was punished for letting a confined cat starve to death. This hadith reported by the Prophet ﷺ teaches...

Why Can a Cat Become a Source of Divine Punishment?

A woman was punished for confining a female cat until it died, never feeding it or allowing it to hunt for its...

Why Can a Dog Become a Source of Divine Reward?

A thirsty man, a deep well, a dog panting near death from thirst: this hadith reported by Sahih al-Bukhari sho...

Does the tiny ant also deserve our compassion?

In the valley of the ants, a small creature cries out an alarm upon seeing an army approach. The Prophet Solom...

Caring for a bird's young

One day, the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ took nestlings from a small tree in the desert. The mother, distresse...

Why must we never cause unnecessary suffering to animals?

A woman was condemned to Hell for allowing a cat she had locked away to starve to death. This account, reporte...

Kindness Toward Sheep Before Sacrifice

How should a sheep be treated before Eid al-Adha? A hadith reported by Ibn Abbas sheds light on the recommende...

How does Islam ask us to treat the animal during slaughter?

One day, a man was sharpening his knife in front of the animal he was about to slaughter. The Prophet ﷺ spoke...

Mercy itself, even toward the animal destined for sacrifice

Even at the moment of sacrifice, prophetic tradition teaches gentleness toward the animal: sharpen the blade,...