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The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) always prevented people from harming as
insignificant insects as ants, or birds, or domestic animals. He knew that each species has its role
and is very important at its own level. He treated them as believers and worshippers of Allah.
For instance, the Sunnah tells the story of an ant who bit one of the Prophets (Peace be
upon him):
Narrated by Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "Once while a prophet amongst the prophets was taking a
rest underneath a tree, an ant bit him. He, therefore, ordered that his luggage be
taken away from underneath that tree and then ordered that the dwelling place of
the ants should be set on fire. Allah sent him a revelation:-- "Wouldn't it have
been sufficient to burn a single ant (that bit you) rather than a whole community
that glorifies my name?
(Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 536)
What do we learn about the way we should look at every living creature?
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HARMFUL ANIMALS:
However, if animals are harmful, they may be killed, although never with fire.
The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“There are five pests that may be killed whether one is in ihraam or not:
rats, scorpions, crows, kites [a hawk-like bird], and mad dogs.”
(Reported by Muslim, 2071).
Another report adds a sixth: snakes.
Thus the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that they are harmful pests,
and that they are unlike other animals which do not do harm, and so he told us to kill them
whether we are in ihraam or not (state of cleanliness that precedes the ritual of Hajj, the Muslim
pilgrimage) if they attack us. If other creatures, such as ants or cockroaches or dung-beetles,
cause us harm, they may also be killed with insecticides, but not with fire.
And Allaah knows best.
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So, if a dangerous snake enters your house, what will you do?
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Islam teaches us another set of behaviors in that particular case.
The answer is that you should make it leave your house. If it refuses, then it should be killed.
But men should always do it quickly and without sufferings:
Imam Muslim narrated that Shadad Ibn-Aws said:
"I have kept in heart two points from our Prophet (Peace be upon Him). Allah orders us
to refine every thing we do. When killing enemies, kill properly, and when slaughtering
animals slaughter properly. So the one in charge of slaughtering must sharpen his blade
to comfort his slaughtered animal." [A Haadith]
He is also advised to kill or sacrifice the animal away from the other animals in order not to cause
them anxiety. Do you know what makes the flesh of animals become kosher for Muslims?
Explain: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Do you think it is a painless way of slaughtering?
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It is prohibited to stun the animals by stroking or using electricity, for these kinds of stunning hurt
the animal. Our Prophet (Peace be upon Him) interdicted his followers from torturing or hurting
animals. On the contrary, he ordered them to be kind and benevolent with them.
Imam Ahmad narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (Peace be upon
Him) passed by a group from Al-Ansar (the supporters) while they were aiming at a
pigeon.
The Prophet said: "Don’t make an aim from an alive creature".
Saeed Ibn-Gobair narrated that Ibn-Ommar had passed by some youth from Koraish
while they were aiming at a bird and in return for their missed shoots they gave the
owner of the bird the arrows. When the youth saw Ibn-Ommar, they ran away so Ibn-
Ommar said: "Who did that? Allah curses the one who did that. The prophet (Peace be
upon Him) curses any one who takes an alive creature as an aim". Narrated by Muslim.
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