Story Farmland & grasslands Urban environment Stories from the hadiths

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In the peaceful night of Medina, it would sometimes happen that silence was suddenly broken by the insistent barking of a dog or the prolonged braying of a donkey. These sounds, familiar to all those who lived near dwellings and herds, were the subject of particular teaching from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, recorded in the collections of authentic hadith.

What the hadith reports

It is reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet ﷺ said: "When you hear the rooster crow, ask for the grace of Allah, for it has seen an angel. And when you hear the braying of the donkey, seek refuge with Allah from the devil, for it has seen a devil." This hadith establishes a link between certain animal behaviors and a perception that goes beyond what human beings can see.

A similar version of this hadith also mentions the case of the dog: according to certain reports, its unexpected barking at night should be understood as parallel to this same invitation to spiritual caution. The deeper meaning of this teaching is not to fear the animals themselves, nor to attribute a wicked nature to them, but to remind believers that there exists an invisible reality, and that certain animals, by means of a sensitivity peculiar to them, may perceive things that humans do not.

A lesson in vigilance, not in fear

The commentators of this hadith stress an essential point: this is in no way a judgment passed on the dog or the donkey as creatures. These animals, like all creatures, are part of the order willed by Allah. The teaching of the Prophet ﷺ rather invites the believer to respond with faith and serenity in the face of the unknown: when hearing the donkey bray, it is recommended to say "I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil"; when hearing the rooster crow, one may ask for divine grace.

This hadith also illustrates a reality that modern scientists recognize today: many animals possess senses far more developed than ours—hearing, smell, the perception of vibrations or changes in their environment. The dog, in particular, is renowned for its ability to detect presences, movements, or sounds imperceptible to the human ear, long before anyone becomes aware of them. This natural sensitivity, far from being a curse, bears witness to the diversity of capabilities that the Creator has distributed among His creatures.

The thread of kindness

This account reminds us that animals, in the prophetic tradition, are never reduced to mere annoying noises or insignificant creatures. Each of them, in its own way, participates in a larger order, and some are even mentioned as bearers of signs. The dog that watches, that barks and alerts, like the donkey that has accompanied humanity in its work for centuries, deserve respect and attention.

Ultimately, this story invites believers never to forget that kindness toward animals begins with respect for their own nature. Understanding why a dog barks or why a donkey brays, without giving in to fear or irritation, is also learning to better care for them in daily life—by offering them the attention, water, food, and gentleness they deserve, as the spirit of mercy toward all creatures demands.