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The cow clearly reproaches the man to mistreat it because the cow is used contrary to its
purpose. It can become weak and useless because of the abuse of the man.
The wolf reproaches the shepherd his greed. If one really thinks about it, this is what ecology talk
about! Each species must have its place in the life cycle to make it work. We need predators so
that sheep will not become too numerous. Too many cattle would destroy the natural balance
because animals would be eating too many herbs and bushes on their grazing land. The remains
left by the wolf will also nourish scavenges that feed on dead bodies. And so on, and so forth…
This is the principle of the food chains.
SENSITIVITY:
Read the story at the beginning of this unit. What does Waali's grandfather wants to teach us
about the treatment of animals in Islam?
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Allah warns us that excess and negligence leads to grave consequences. He forbids all
mischief. In particular, Allah forbids Muslims to burn trees in time of war. Why? Because
living creatures, as Islam teaches its followers, can feel and suffer and also because they take
trees and forests as homes and refuge; forests are also their reserve for food.
Scientists have studied plants for many years. They have discovered amazing behaviors among
them that have become evident only since a few centuries. The way of looking at plants and
animals has drastically changed, especially this century. Read the book When the Elephants Weep
to be become convinced of this idea. For instance, in 1873, a scientist tested for electrical
impulses in a plant. He found out that the plant received the same types of electrical waves that
make nerve impulses in animals. Research has shown that the chemical reactions a plant emits
when it is suffering damage are almost identical to the neuro-hormonal reactions that regulate
pain and injury repair in animals. Even more bizarre to us is the fact that aspirin sprinkled on the
leaves seems to relieve the reaction. It is enough to feel touched, even if we do not know if plants
really feel pain as we feel it.
Scientists also noticed that the sensory systems and response systems allow plants to
regulate hydraulic pressures and growth rates in different areas, which work like the muscle
system in animals. They are very sensitive to changes in the environment; noise can even stunt
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the growth of some plants by half. People who are said to have green thumbs are usually people
who love plants. This love somehow is transmitted to the plant.
How do you personally feel about that? Make the experience with two plants. Speak to
one plant and ignore the other. What happens after a few weeks?
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It is clear that Islam believes in the feelings in plants and rocks. They can love, feel pain and
recite prayers as well as supplications. We have recently discovered that there is life in rocks, an
inner life that completely escapes us. We should trust the Qur’an and the Sunnah about the
sensitive life of the creation and not judge by our own eyes. Science has made shocking
discoveries that we would have thought ridiculous or in the domain od science fiction. Why wait
for science to believe what our Revelation tells us?
2000-2001 http://www.arttoday.com
For many years, scientists kept on torturing animals because they thought animals did not
feel anything. Things have changed now even if laboratories still use them for their experiments.
Fourteen centuries ago, at the time of the revelation of the Qur’an, Allah already prohibited
Muslims from torturing animals, especially for the sake of pleasure or sport.
Narrated by Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet cursed the one who did Muthla to an animal (i. e., cut its
limbs or some other part of its body while it is still alive).
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 67, Number 424)
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