Living Islam

The Islamic worldview and guidelines give sufficient basis for a humane treatment of animals.


We live in a world inhabited not only by humans but also by countless other creatures that share the world with us. Animals provide resources and services that we use. They form part of the life-support system of the earth on which all life depends. Every kind of thing is produced on the earth in due balance and measure. The mineral kingdom supports the vegetable, which in turn support the animal kingdom, and there is a link of mutual dependence between them, in a chain of gradation and interdependence. This ecological and organic vision of the world is amply described by the Qur’an: [The earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable: and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance] (Al-Hijr 15:19).


What should be our relationship with creatures in the animal world? The Islamic view of human relation with animals cannot be evaluated in isolation from its tawheedi worldview. Islam inculcates a faith in the Eternal, Transcendental Creator, Who created according to a plan and purpose. From the smallest particle to the large galaxies, all the flora and fauna fulfill their assigned role in a unified divine scheme: [Do you not see that God is He, Whom obeys whoever is in the heavens and whoever is in the earth, and the sun and the moon and the stars, and the mountains and the trees, and the animals and many of the people] (Al-Hajj 22:18).


We see that each animal has been created with a specific purpose, either to benefit human beings directly, or as symbols for people to ponder over God’s greatness (An-Nahl 16:5,8, An-Naziat 79; An-Noor 24:45). The existence of animals is proof for the very existence of God (An-Noor 24:45). Even animals’ geographical distribution is ordained by God (Al-Jathiya 45:4, 29). Any beholder can see the simple homely things of life in which human beings receive so many benefits from divine mercy (Yasin: 36:71-73). The Qur’an invites man to contemplate the cattle, sheep, horses, camels, mules, and other domestic animals, the birds of the sky, and all the innumerable species and genera that they comprise (Al-Ghashiya 88:17; Ya-Seen 36:71; and An-Noor 24:41). The way in which the birds fly and stay in the air is a sign of God in which there is guidance for humankind (Al-Insan 67:19; An-Nahl 16:79). God established and maintained a balance between all His creations (Ar-Rahman 55:7-10). God alone is the real Sustainer and Provider. He has taken upon Himself the responsibility to provide for every living creature (Hud 11:6; Adh-Dhariyat 51:58; Al-Hijr 15:19-21; Al-‘Ankaboot 29:60).


By creating right instincts, God has bestowed a balanced chain so that food is available for everyone. Terrible consequences will follow if this chain is broken (Ar-Rahman 55:8; Ar-Room 30:41). By over-killing and destroying, man has exterminated magnificent creatures in the wild. He has almost wiped out whales in the northern hemisphere and is continuing in the other. Widespread beating, kicking, overriding, torturing, cruel slaughtering methods and vivisection, causing animal pain and suffering have created an enlightened demand for more humane ethics. Philosopher Charles Hartshorne expressed the need thus: “We need new ethical and practical ideas to mediate between ultimate ideas and our concrete situation.” The Islamic worldview and guidelines give sufficient basis for a humane treatment of animals. If one compares Islam with other worldviews, one can see different approaches to such concepts. For example, a pantheistic worldview of reality will have problems in fighting against pain, cruelty, and injustice since, ultimately, these things are only part of the reality that is “god” in the pantheistic sense. One major objective of Islam is that it seeks to make the human being kind hearted towards fellow creatures. Kindness is an important ingredient of the human conscience. God Himself is compassionate and kind and wants man, His vicegerent on earth, to be kindhearted towards all living creatures. (www.Islamonline.net)

It’s a dream and a prayer- “Allah, give Muslims the taqwa that they put their faith only in You! Let Muslims practise Islam in it’s original Unedited form”.


They disturbed the King’s Soul! This is exactly what happened a fortnight ago as a massive crowd gathered in a quiet town close to Mysore to celebrate what they described as the Urs of a great king. As witness to the “aftermath of the Urs” from the Press Gallery on a foggy morning, I failed to comprehend the reason behind such a celebration. While huge amount of money was spent on the decorations, the lighting and the silky cushions for the “Dignitaries on the Dias” who were picked from prominent political circles from the Muslim community, what was baffling was the massive response from people from the nearby villages, who had sacrificed their sleep the whole night to listen to the speeches, the qawaalis and the mushaira.


The garden surrounding the king’s tomb is otherwise very peaceful, neat and spotlessly tidy. But the celebrations had left their messy marks on the green lawns. While the king’s tomb was thrown wide open to the crowd of visitors, amidst a whiff of mogra and agarbathi, there were people gathered around the king’s resting place lifting their hands and reciting loud prayers. While just outside the entrance were lined up little shops selling caps and chocolates. Adding to this noise, a small-time music man had set up his tele set which was playing the latest top chartbusters from Bollywood and young Muslims from the nearby towns and villages were singing to this tune!


While some strongly stand by their beliefs that Urs is part of Islamic culture and is done in rememberance and reverence of a saint or a king, the big question is what is the necessity of doing something which is not part of the Quran or the Sunnah? Cannot respect and reverence to a king or saint be done quietly by just praying for their maghfirat?


Bidah seems to have become the “in-thing” in today’s Muslim society and we all are watching this going on quietly. With additions and deletions, Islam is followed by each in their own way and not the way Allah has taught.


Islam as it was practised during the days of the Prophet (Pbuh) and his companions has been tightly closed in books and kept high on our shelves.


From celebrating the Prophet’s (Pbuh) birthday, to making Khichda and Puris (according to some a must) on shabe-baraat, the Muslims of today have not left any stone unturned to prove that they have all the right to do what they will and not what Allah Wills!


A popular international channel beams the online isthikhara. Instant solutions are provided to the callers then and there. This has unfortunately inspired scores of self-proclaimed ‘godly’ people in the community who have set up little tents in remote corners of India and claimed healing powers-a classic case stands of a “Dial Baba”, closeted in a village between Kolhapur and Meeraj who owns a telephone. While a stream of visitors-the ill, the poor and the helpless anxiously wait to see him, he dials a number on his phone and speaks on to Angel Jibrael who then connects him to Allah directly and sends a solution to the hapless anxious visitor instantly. Attempts to nab him, have failed as his tight circle of security goons around him have not let a cop venture close to him.


The Prophet’s (Pbuh) Mosque in Madinah too has not been spared. So you have hordes of worshippers (mostly from the Asian countries) rubbing their hands, clothes against the walls of the mosque to take back that they call the tabaruk.


Bidah-small or big is Bidah and when Islam is so simple, why are we burdening ourselves with rituals and rites which are not part of the commandments of Allah or the Prophet (Pbuh)? Cannot we dream of a Muslim society practising Islam in its pristine purity? Where have we lost the Beduin innocence who lived in deserts. When a gusty wind storm invaded the deserts, which meant no food or water for days, they quietly said, “It is Allah’s Will.” It was their profound faith in Allah that helped them through their windstorm days in the deserts.


It’s a dream and a prayer- Oh Allah, give Muslims the taqwa that they put their faith only in You! -Let us have Islam Unedited, not Abridged Please!