Cats hold a special place to the Muslims, since Prophet Muhammad is very fond of cats.
One story mentioned that a cat saved Prophet Mohammad from being bitten by a deadly snake.
There was also a story of the Prophet cutting off his shirt sleeve rather than disturbing his sleeping cat when it was time for prayers. When people at the mosque noticed him wearing a torn sleeved robe, they asked "Holy Prophet, why is your garment torn?"
The Prophet simply replied that his cat is sleeping soundly upon the sleeve of his robe and rather than disturbing the cat, he cut the sleeve and put on what remained of his garment. The Prophet is so kind to animals that he would not pull the garment or awaken the cat, instead he rather cut his robe and let the cat sleep undisturbed.
It is a well-known fact that the Prophet is a cat lover and respect animals. Muslims are taught to follow his exemplary behaviour on kindness to animals.
A companion of the Prophet was given the name Abu Hurairah. The name Abu Hurairah means 'father of the cats'. Abu Hurairah was given this name because where ever he goes, he always had a kitten with him.
In Hadith (Muslim religious text) of Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 4, Book 56, Number 673, narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "While a dog was going round a well and was about to die of thirst, an Israeli prostitute saw it and took off her shoe and watered it. So Allah forgave her because of that good deed."
In another Hadith text, the Prophet told his companions of a woman who would be sent to Hell for having locked up a cat; not feeding it, nor even releasing it so that it could feed herself."
During a journey the Prophet left his companion for a while. During his absence, his companion saw a bird called hummara and took two young ones away from the mother bird. The mother bird was circling above in the air, beating its wings in grief, when the Prophet came back and said: "Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its young? Return them to her". The Prophet companion then replaced the offspring in the same bush.
During another journey, somebody picked up some birds eggs. The bird's painful note and fluttering attracted the attention of the Prophet, who asked the man to restore the eggs to the nest.
The Prophet also mentioned "To catch birds and imprison them in cages without any special purpose is considered abominable." Hence if you have birds living in cages, set them free.
On the way to a battle, the Prophet army marched towards Makkah (now known as Mecca) to conquer it, they passed a female dog with puppies. The Prophet not only gave orders that the mother dog and puppies should not be hurt or disturbed, but posted a man to see that this was done.
One of the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad is: "If you must kill, kill without torture." (La taqtolu bi'l-idha'i). While pronouncing this dictum, he did not name any animal as an exception - not even any noxious or venomous creature, such as scorpions and snakes.
Prophet Muhammad and Islam religion not only preached to the people to show kindness to each other but also to all living souls. Animals are to be respected and treated humanely.
Prophet Muhammad forbade blood sport (like cock fighting, animal fighting) which is cruelty to the animals. The Prophet also forbade his Muslim followers not to hunt for game sports, like shooting birds and animals with bows and arrows. The killing of animals for sporting purposes like hunting is strictly forbidden.
In a demonstration of unparalleled care towards animals no matter their size or significance, a companion of the Prophet name Adiyi bin Hatim used to take crumbs of bread and other foods and deposit them at the entry to ant holes so the ants could feed. This rare gesture of kindness was performed in realisation of the fact that ants also formed a neighbourhood with human beings.
Prophet Muhammad forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily. It was forbidden to kick horses with one’s feet unnecessarily while riding them. The Prophet also wrote to those who had been given responsibility to look after the rights of animals to highlight that it was forbidden to tighten the rein of a horse. It is forbidden to stay long on the back of an animal (Horse, Donkey, and Camel) when it is not in motion. The Prophet is reported to remarked on this cruelty as "Do not turn your animals into chair".
The Prophet also prohibit branding animals with hot iron bars. Once the Prophet passed by an animal that was marked in this way and said: "May Almighty Allah curse the person who marked this animal".
The Prophet mentioned that beast of burden like camels, ox, donkeys, horses, elephants etc. are not allowed to carry load that is too heavy and should be well fed and watered. Whenever the Prophet saw any animal over-loaded or ill-fed he would approached the owner and said, "Fear Allah in your ill treatment of animals."
The Islamic Shariah law very strongly forbids the overloading of animals. Among the laws governing overloading of animals, there are also laid down rules on the renting of animals to carry goods with penalties for any one renting an animal if found overloading the animal.
It was reported in a hadith (Muslim religious text) that once the Prophet entered a garden and saw a camel. When the camel saw the Prophet it started crying with tears coming out of its eyes. The Prophet approached the camel and rubbed off the tears asking, "Who is the owner of this camel". The owner replied "It is mine, Oh Prophet of Allah". The Prophet then said "Don’t you fear Allah in these animals which the Almighty made you owners? Indeed your animal complained to me that you starve and overwork it".
It is Wajib (necessary) upon every individual owning animals to spend on them, providing food and everything else required for their good up keep. The tenets of the Islam Shariah law towards animals rights make it obligatory for any individual to take care of any crippled animal like a blind cat that appears at their doorsteps.
Islam expressly lays down rights for animals entitling them to the right of love and mercy.
Cruelty to animals in Islam is treated with grave contempt and the harshest of penalties, the fire of hell is accorded any individual whoever dares to be cruel to animals.
It is mentioned in a Hadith: Animals do pray to God as other creations do.
The Prophet was asked if acts of charity even to the animals were rewarded by God. He replied: '"Yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive."
The Prophet stated "Verily, there is heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal".
Be kind to animals and heaven awaits you.
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Off the cuff by Aminah -
Muslim Hadith (religious text) version of "Let Sleeping Cats Lie" is very different from the English proverb of "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"!
Prophet Muhammad love cats very much, that the Prophet cut his shirt sleeve as to not to disturb his cat sleeping.
Follow the teachings of the Wise Prophet and use it as your guideline on animal care:
"Every individual owning animals should spend time on them, providing food and everything else required for their good up keep."
Do not abandon your cats, kittens, pets and look after the well being of your sick pets. Pet ownership is a life-long commitment.
The Prophet has said that acts of charity are included to the animals and hence were rewarded by God. He stated: '"Yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive."
Henceforth if you see a hungry stray, feed it and watered it. Show compassion towards the strays.
The Prophet stated "Verily, there is heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to a living animal". Be kind to animals and heaven awaits you.
Cruelty to animals in Islam is treated with grave contempt and the harshest of penalties, the fire of hell is accorded any individual whoever dares to be cruel to animals.
Whatever is your religion, remember this: Animals do pray to God as other creations do.
Aminah Bee. - Bee Kind To Animals.
