Page 202 - Bigotry: The Dark Danger

Bigotry:
The Dark Danger

In another hadith our Prophet (pbuh) says,
Fear God in respect of these dumb (animals). (Sunan Abu Dawud,

Jihad, 44/2548)

A Sleeping Antelope

During a campaign, our Prophet (pbuh) saw an antelope sleep-
ing in the warm shade. He commanded one of his companions to

wait there and ensure that the animal was not disturbed until every-
one had passed. (Malik's Muwatta, Hajj, 79; Sunan an-Nasai, Hajj, 78)

A Donkey Branded on the Face

One day on the road our Prophet (pbuh) saw a donkey that had
been branded on the face and said, "God curse the one who branded it."

(Sahih Muslim) and he recommended that branding should be done
without hurting the animals.

Treating Animals Well

A man on a journey was thirsty and descended into a well and

drank from it. When he came out of the well he saw a dog who was
also very thirsty and was licking the ground with his tongue.
Thinking that the dog was thirsty just like him, he went down into
the well again and brought water up in his leather socks for the
dog to drink from. At that, Almighty God forgave him his sins.
The Prophet (pbuh) was asked if acts of charity even to the animals
were rewarded by the Almighty. He replied: "Yes, there is a
reward for acts of charity to every beast alive." (Sahih Bukhari)

When his companions asked, "Will we earn merit if we give ani-
mals water to drink?" the Messenger of God answered, "There is

merit to be earned from giving water to all living things."
(Tajrit, Vol. VII, p. 223)

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