Honorable Muslims!
Just like every other creature in the universe, animals also serve as evidence of the existence and might of the Almighty Allah (SWT). From the tiniest of them to the largest, every animal is valuable as a work of Allah and is entrusted to humans by Him (SWT). We, humans, are liable to treat animals conscientiously, mercifully, and compassionately.
Islam forbids every kind of activity that means oppression and torture to animals and that forces them into being treated in nonconformity with their reason of creation. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) warns us as follows, “If Someone kills a small bird or anything larger for no just reason, but Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will ask him about it.”[i]
Dear Muslims!
It is stated in the Holy Qur’an as follows, “And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you.”[ii] Indeed, animals, too, just like us humans, are the residents of the earth. Let us not forget that they, too, have the fundamental rights to life, protection from harm, and shelter. Let us look at the world of existence through the perspective of love, compassion, and reflection. Let us not hurt any living creature. Let us seek to earn the appreciation of our Lord (SWT) by fulfilling our religious, conscientious, and human responsibility.
[i] Nasa’i, Sayd, 34.
[ii] An’am, 6/38.
FRIDAY KHUTBA OF TOKYO CAMİİ “MERCY FOR ANIMALS: A RELIGIOUS AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY“.(PDF)