35. ANIMALS & OUR DUTY

God says

…Yet most human beings are unaware of this* -- although there is no beast that walks on earth and no bird that flies on its two wings but [forms part of] communities like yourselves: no single thing have We neglected in Our decree. … *I.e., that God manifests himself always, as verse 38 points out, through the ever-recurring miracle of His creation.- Q.6: 37,38

Art thou not aware that it is God whose limitless glory all [creatures] that are in the heavens and on earth extol, even the birds as they spread out their wings? Each [of them] knows indeed how to pray unto Him and glorify Him; and God has full knowledge of all that they do. -- Q.24: 41

And unto David We granted Solomon [as a son – and] how excellent a servant [of Ours he grew up to be]! Behold, he would always turn unto Us -- [and even] when, at the close of the day, nobly-bred, swift-footed steeds were brought before him, he would say, “Verily, I have come to love the love of all that is good because I bear my Sustainer in mind!” – [repeating these words as the steeds raced away,] until they were hidden by the veil [of distance – when he would command], “Bring them to me!” – and would [lovingly] stroke their legs and their necks. -- Q.38: 30-33

[The truly virtuous are they] who give food- however great be their own want of It -- unto the needy, and the orphan, and the captive.* -- Q 76: 7,8
*Applies also to animals dependent on man.


Prophet said

1. “Don’t cut short the forelocks of horses’ main or their tails, because the tail keeps off the flies and as for the main, it keeps them warm..” – H: Abu Daud. N: Otbah-b-Abd as-Solami.

2. The Messenger of God passed by a camel whose back reached its belly. He said, “Fear God about these animals. Ride them (while they are) healthy and leave them (while they are still) healthy”– H: Abu Daud. N: Sahl-b-al-Hanzalia.

3. “A woman of questionable character passed by a dog who was panting hard near a well, almost dying of hunger. She took off her socks, tied those with her head cloth and (thus) drew water from the well for the dog. For that she was forgiven (of her sins).”-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

4. The Messenger of God prohibited that animals should be set to fight each other – Tirmizi and Abu Daud. N: Ibn Abbas.

A word before we proceed
Careful observation of several topics, that have gone by on “duties for others”, would have shown that all of us lapse in the fulfillment of our duties. This is beside those sins that are due to our failings towards God and to our souls. Before we leave this world, we must get rid of sins clinging to us as they will be our worst enemy in the Hereafter. And no one knows when one is going to leave. It will be too late at the point of death says the Quran. Situation is grave, but the beauty of Islam is that a believer is asked never to loose hope. To the sinner who truly repents and turns to God sincerely seeking forgiveness, He says “O you servants of Mine who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of God’s mercy : behold, God forgives all sins-- for, verily, He alone is much-forgiving, a most gracious!” (39 : 53)Hence, from next Friday, inshaAallah, topic begins about “Forgiveness-seeking and Repentance.” Let us take to heart, the way shown by God and His Apostle. Remember that we have to act first, always.