With reference to the recent brutal crucifixion of animals outside Mosta parish church and the suspicion of such heinous atrocities being attributed to Muslims, I would like to explain the Islamic teachings regarding the welfare of animals.

God created man and the universe for his service. Allah says: “It is He who has created for you all things that are on Earth” (Holy Qur’an 2:29). All animals are part of this universe, which God created for the benefit of man.

Allah says: “And cattle He has created for you (men), from them you derive warmth and numerous benefits and of their meat you eat. And you have a sense of pride and beauty in them as you drive them home in the evening, as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning. And they carry heavy loads to lands that you could not reach except with souls distressed, for your Lord is indeed most kind, most merciful. And He has created horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and use for show and he has created other things of which you have no knowledge” (Holy Qur’an 16:5-8).

In the above verses, God mentions some of the benefits which we derive from animals and which include major sources of man’s diet, clothing and transport, sport and medicine, such as the bee’s honey.

The animal world provides us with a good opportunity to think about the glory of God and His absolute power.

Animals were and still are our teachers, in a way

When we study the numerous species of creatures, their shapes, colours, how they increase and multiply, their different ways of living, we will believe that there is a Creator who gives a soul to every creature and who provides every one of them with the ability to lead its own special life.

God, through the Qur’an, directed the human mind to think about the creatures and realise the oneness and the almightiness and greatness of God. Allah said: “And verily in cattle you will find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies between excretions and blood, we produce for your drink, milk pure and agreeable to those who drink it” (Holy Qur’an 6:66).

He also said: “Do they not look at the camels, how they are made?” (Holy Qur’an 88:17).

Is there such an advanced factory on earth that can change clover into milk? Or nectar into honey such as the bees can?

Animals were and still are our teachers, in a way.

God has told us that animals glorify, praise and thank Him so man should feel ashamed when he sees animals doing that but he does not. Allah said: “Do you not see how Allah is praised by those in heaven and earth and the birds with wings outspread? He notes the prayers and praises of all His creations and has knowledge of all their actions” (Holy Qur’an 24:41).

The animals condemn man’s disbelief and his worship of false gods. This comes out clear from the story of the hoopoe of Solomon who could understand animal language by the help of Allah.

Once the hoopoe flew to Yemen and it found a people governed by a queen who worshipped the sun. The bird flew back to Solomon and informed him about it. Solomon wrote a letter to the queen inviting her to embrace Islam and sent it to her with the hoopoe.

Through this story, God wanted to teach us to do our best to propagate the truth.

An animal had first taught man how to bury the dead. When Cain killed his brother, Abel, God sent a crow that dug the ground and buried another crow, thus showing Cain what to do with the body of his brother.

From animals, man could learn patience, perseverance and discipline, especially from the bees and the ants. From birds, man has learnt how to build aeroplanes in which to fly. Because of all that, God has named many chapters of the Holy Qur’an with the names of animals and insects like The Elephant, The Cattle, The Bees, The Ants, The Cow and The Spider.

Islamic law calls upon Muslims to respect and be kind to animals.

Islam considers kindness to animals as a rewarding good deed: Prophet Mohammad said: “A man was walking on his way when he became awfully thirsty. He found a well, he got down into the well and drank of it, then he went away. Suddenly, he saw a dog panting out of thirst. The man thought that the dog was extremely thirsty as I was. So he descended into the well. He filled up his scuff with water and held it in his mouth. He climbed up and quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah held his action in high esteem and forgave him. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said: ‘Shall we be rewarded for showing kindness to the animals also?’ He said: ‘A reward is given in connection with every living creature.’”

It prohibits the imprisonment of animals and the deprivation from food and drink. Prophet Mohammad told us that a certain woman went to Hell because she imprisoned her cat and left it without food and water. The owners of animals must feed them and if they fail to do so, the authorities must compel them to do so or else slaughter or sell them.

Islamic law also prohibits making animals work excessively. It is mentioned that, once, the Prophet entered a field where there was a camel. On seeing the Prophet, tears streamed down the camel’s eyes, so the Prophet admonished its owner saying: “You have to fear God who gave you possession of this camel. It complained to me that it is not being fed and is being overworked.”

Islam also prohibits the hunting of animals for sport.

Before slaughtering animals, the Prophet has recommended the sharpening of the knife and putting the animals at ease. The slaughter should be performed in a fast manner to minimise pain.

Islam forbids the encouraging of wrestling or fighting between animals themselves and between them and men. The Prophet said: “God will have mercy upon the merciful. Have mercy upon those on earth and God will have mercy upon you.”

Some people think that the Islamic way of slaughtering animals is inhuman or cruel and causes the animal a lot of pain and suffering, In fact, the Islamic way is the swiftest way to end the life of the animal and the least painful.

When the throat, windpipe and vessels of the neck are severed, the flow of blood to the nerves of the brain responsible for pain will be disconnected so that the animal becomes numb and does not feel any pain. The slaughtered animal writhes, shakes and kicks not because of pain but due to the contractions and relaxation of the muscles deficient in blood and due to the flow of blood out of the body.

The blood has to be drained completely to secure the health of the consumer.

Certainly, Allah knows what is best for man and what we know is so little compared with His knowledge and wisdom.

Mohammad El Sadi is Imam of the Islamic Centre in Malta.

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