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 Esteemed Moslems! The Supreme Almighty has not created any being unnecessarily. All beings are evidences of God’s existence and ornaments and decorations of the world. The Almighty God has allocated the different spices of animals and plants for the care of humanity. As a matter of fact, the Lord has ordered the following in this matter: “And the things on this earth which he has multiplied for you in varying colours (and qualities): Verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude).”[1] Therefore, the human being must look with mercy towards all beings put into his hands.
Dear Moslems! The emotion of mercy is one of the merits which make the one a human being. It is at the same time a necessity of the Islamic faith. The Holy Quran has drawn our attention to this matter with the following order: “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; and those who are with him … compassionate amongst each other.”[2] That is why mercy is not a human-oriented merit but it must besiege all the living creatures in our environment. For this reason, the Almighty God has ordered us to behave with mercy towards all living creatures with the humans on top of them. The Lord has revealed that tyranny and injustice towards humans as well as towards other living creatures are unacceptable way of behavior. Hurting the animals and mistreating them is not compatible with the principle of mercy in our religion. Our Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the woman who imprisoned her cat and let it go hunger to death has become distant from God’s mercy, where as God has pardoned the sins of the one who rescued a nearly dieing dog out of thirst by giving him water.[3] On a question directed to him whether reward is given or not due to treating animals with kindness the Prophet of Islam answered: “There is reward due to treating every living creature kindly.”[4] Though our Prophet did not approve mistreating animals like beating them, leaving them hungry and thirsty, hunting them for enjoyment, wasting their young, pitting them against each other and loading them with loads that exceed their strength. He even warned those who behave like this saying:” You have to be afraid of God concerning these silent animals.”[5]
Esteemed Moslems! Concerning the feel of compassion for all living creatures, the Prophet of Islam has expressed that: “Allah treats those who are compassionate with mercy.”[6] Therefore we must respect animals’ rights, we must refrain from hurting them, and we must treat them with mercy and not forget that treating every living creature with kindness is not without reward.
* This hutbe was read throughout Turkey on 3 September 2004. [1] The Holy Quran, 16/13 [2] The Holy Quran, 48/29 [3] Buhari, Shirb, 9, Edeb, 27; Muslim, Salam, 153 [4] Muslim, Salam, 41 [5] Ebu Dawud, Jihad, 44 [6] Tirmizi, Birr 16; Ebu Dawud, Edeb, 58 |
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The Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey © |