The Islamic Ruling on Animal Welfare, Animal Charities, and Showing Kindness to Animals
Question: السلام عليكم، I was curious if you were familiar with the best animal charities, from taking care of abused pets like dogs and cats to protecting endangered species like the polar bears. The reason I ask this is because some people keep snakes as pets, which is not permissible, as per following hadith: “Five are miscreant creatures which should be killed inside the Haram (sacred precincts of Makkah) or outside it: the snake, the speckled crow, the rat, the mordacious dog, and the kite.” [Muslim] However, obviously torturing snakes to death is not acceptable. Also, what about the treatment of pigs (and are pigs najis to touch?)? I hope you have some knowledge. There are no “Muslim” charities for animals, I believe, so I was curious. .بارك الله فيك
Summary:
Showing kindness to animals is among the righteous deeds beloved to Allah, whether the animal is lawful to eat or not, domesticated or wild, so long as doing so does not involve assisting in sin or causing harm to people. The Shariah commands mercy toward animals, forbids their abuse, and makes kindness to them a cause for entering Paradise, while cruelty to them can be a cause for entering the Fire. Supporting charities that care for animals is permissible if they engage in lawful and beneficial work, do not promote beliefs or practices contrary to Islam, and do not use animal welfare as a means of opposing Islamic teachings or spreading deviant ideologies. As for keeping snakes and other harmful animals as pets for amusement or display, this is not from the guidance of the Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ commanded that harmful snakes be killed, so it is not befitting for a Muslim to keep them for entertainment or pride. As for pigs, they are prohibited to eat, and Allah described them as impure. However, this does not prevent a person from showing kindness to them when needed, such as feeding them or protecting them from unnecessary harm, because Islam forbids cruelty to every living creature.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
First: Islam Is a Religion of Mercy Toward Animals
Many texts establish the obligation of showing mercy to animals.
From the Qur'an:
- [Surat al-Anʿam 6:38]
And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you.
From the Sunnah:
- From Bukhari and Muslim:Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is a reward for showing kindness to every living creature.”
- From Bukhari and Muslim:Abu Hurayrah and ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“A woman entered the Fire because of a cat which she confined. She neither fed it nor allowed it to eat from the vermin of the earth.”
- From Bukhari and Muslim:Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“A prostitute was forgiven because she passed by a dog panting beside a well. It was about to die from thirst, so she removed her shoe, tied it with her head covering, drew water for it, and was forgiven because of that.”
So, we say: - This hadith encourages showing kindness and mercy to animals. - It also shows that showing mercy to animals is a cause for the forgiveness of sins. - Therefore, every act of kindness shown to an animal is hoped to be rewarded, provided it is done seeking the Face of Allah. Second: Is It Permissible to Support Animal Welfare Charities? The basic ruling is that this is permissible, provided certain Islamic guidelines are observed, including: • The charity genuinely cares for, treats, and feeds animals. • It does not promote prohibited practices or beliefs contrary to Islam. • Donations are not used to oppose Muslims or support corrupt organizations. • Such donations do not come at the expense of obligatory financial responsibilities, such as supporting one's parents, spouse, or needy Muslims. It is not a condition that the charity be Islamic, so long as the work itself is lawful and beneficial. However, it is better for a Muslim to prioritize forms of charity whose benefit is greater and more lasting, such as supporting Islamic daʿwah, teaching the Qur'an, sponsoring orphans, and helping needy Muslims. If Allah has blessed a person with additional wealth, then there is no harm in also supporting animal welfare. Third: Keeping Snakes and Other Harmful Animals
From the Sunnah:
- Al-Bukhari and Muslim reportedfrom Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"There are five harmful creatures that may be killed both inside the Sacred Precinct and outside it: the snake, the rat, the speckled crow, the dog, and the kite."
He mentioned in them: "The Snake."
This indicates that snakes are among the harmful animals which the Shariah has permitted to be killed when they are encountered because of the harm they may cause. As for keeping them as pets for decoration, amusement, or pride, this is not from the guidance of the Muslims. It may also expose oneself and others to danger and resembles the behavior of those who engage in frivolity and waste wealth. Nevertheless, it is not permissible to torture them, burn them, or kill them in a painful manner,
From the Sunnah:
- Sahih Muslimfrom the hadith of Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him):
"Indeed, Allah has prescribed excellence in all things."
Therefore, if a snake must be killed, it should be killed in the quickest manner that achieves the intended purpose without unnecessary suffering.
Fourth: Showing Kindness to Pigs Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) prohibited eating pork,
From the Qur'an:
- [Surat al-Anʿam 6:145]
"for Indeed, it is impure."
However, the prohibition of eating pigs does not permit mistreating or torturing them. If a Muslim finds a pig that is hungry or thirsty, or needs to be rescued from destruction without that leading to any prohibited consequence, there is no blame in showing kindness to it, because mercy extends to all animals.
From the Scholars:
- Some of the scholars said:
"Showing kindness to animals is encouraged, even if it is a dog."
A pig is included under this general principle with respect to the prohibition of cruelty, while the prohibition of keeping or eating it remains unchanged.
Fifth: Is a Pig Impure Simply by Touching It? The majority of scholars held that the pig is intrinsically impure. However, merely touching a pig does not require washing seven times as is required when a dog licks a vessel, because there is no evidence establishing such a ruling. If moisture from a pig comes into contact with a person's hand, body, or clothing, then the affected area should simply be washed until the impurity is removed. Sixth: A Muslim's Priorities in Good Deeds A Muslim should be broad in mercy, showing compassion to both people and animals while observing the priorities established by the Shariah. The greatest acts by which a servant draws closer to Allah are: • Realizing Tawhid. • Maintaining the obligatory prayers. • Honoring one's parents. • Seeking Islamic knowledge. • Calling others to Allah. • Teaching the Qur'an. • Giving charity to the poor and needy. • Sponsoring orphans. • Spreading and defending the Sunnah. These deeds carry greater reward and more lasting benefit than becoming preoccupied with matters of lesser importance.
From the Qur'an:
- [Al-Baqarah 148]
So race to [all that is] good.
From the Qur'an:
- [Al-Muzzammil 20]
And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allāh.
From the Sunnah:
- Sahih MuslimAbu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Be eager for what benefits you, seek Allah's help, and do not give up."
Whoever shows mercy to Allah's creation, Allah will show mercy to him. Whoever shows kindness to an animal seeking the Face of Allah will be rewarded for it. A seemingly small deed may become a cause for entering Paradise, just as a man, and in another narration a woman, was forgiven for giving water to a thirsty dog. Therefore, the believer takes advantage of every opportunity to draw closer to Allah, whether great or small. Likewise, beware of having a hard heart, mistreating animals, or using them for amusement. The Prophet ﷺ informed us that a woman entered the Fire because she imprisoned a cat until it died. So what then of one who makes the torture of animals a form of entertainment, sport, or recreation? Also beware lest concern for animals distract you from the great obligations, such as supporting the religion of Allah, honoring your parents, helping the poor, or seeking beneficial knowledge. Rather, the believer weighs his deeds according to the scales of the Shariah and gives priority to what is most beloved to Allah and greatest in reward in the Hereafter. Final Answer: Showing kindness to all animals is legislated, even those whose meat is prohibited to eat, and it is forbidden to torture any living creature. Supporting animal welfare charities is permissible, provided their work is lawful and free of anything contrary to the Shariah. At the same time, a Muslim should make his greatest concern those deeds that bring him closest to Allah, such as realizing Tawhid, fulfilling the obligatory acts of worship, benefiting Muslims, calling others to Allah, and seeking beneficial knowledge. These are the most profitable deeds in this life and the next, while still maintaining mercy toward every creature Allah has created. And Allah knows best.
And Allah knows best.
← Back to Questions