Animal cruelty also called animal abuse is the act of violence against animals. Animal cruelty includes intentional situations where the needs of an animal are neglected. Violence against animals has been considered to be criminal violence and domestic abuse. We need to understand the exact meaning of animal cruelty in order to stop other people from doing it. Animal cruelty could be of different forms. The failure to provide for the welfare of an animal under one’s control is also cruelty. Moreover, it is important to know that animal cruelty is not only restricted to cases involving physical harm but it also includes causing animals psychological harm in the form of distress or terror, which a lot of people do. This unreasonable harm to animals is a very terrible thing that we humans should take care of.
The cruelty to animals includes various things like torturing or beating an animal, transporting an animal in a way that is inappropriate, killing an animal in an inhumane manner, failing to provide appropriate food or water for an animal, failing to provide appropriate treatment for disease or injury and failing to provide appropriate living conditions. There could be a lot of other factors also. There are thousands of cases reported every day of animal cruelty. And most of the cases are not even reported because no one bothers. Some people may take out their anger on their dogs or cats just because they are having a bad day or had a fight. Abused cats have been beaten and even killed by their owners. There was a case of a cat burned to death by some teenagers. One cat was put in a microwave and was killed. There are even worse cases reported than these mentioned above. We humans need to realize that they are also living things. They feel the same pain as we humans do. The only difference is that they can’t say it.
Islam also doesn’t allow animal cruelty at any case. It is considered to be sin killing or hurting any innocent animal without any reason. Prophet Muhammad SAW says, “God loves those who behave with tolerance and He helps them in doing so. Hence, if you are on a journey with animals and the land is dry and infertile you should speed up to avoid them becoming hungry and if the land is verdant you should go slowly (to allow them to graze).” The religion of Islam is emphatic about animals having the ability to communicate, understand, deduct and demonstrate. The Holy Quran speaks clearly in chapters Al-Naml, Saba and An-Nahl about birds and ants having the faculty to perceive and understand things. It also speaks of honey bees communicating with one another and having the power to understand things. This degree of perception and understanding is a proof of their soul being non-material. The Holy Prophet of Islam (S) says: "Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, Allah will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment." The listeners asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what is a just cause?" He replied, "That he will kill it to eat, not simply to chop off its head and then throw it away."
If there is not sufficient water to perform ablution and quench the thirst of an animal, it is obligatory upon the Muslim to give the water to the animal. Quenching the thirst of an animal is necessary irrespective of whether the animal is thirsty at present or is going to be endangered as a result of water running out. This proves to us how important are animals and we should never take them for granted. Human beings are not allowed to do injustice to animals because Allah is their Creator Who, on the Day of Judgment, will support them with justice.
We have to figure out the important things that can decrease animal cruelty like as follows: The best way to fight cruelty is to teach as many people as possible how their pets should be treated. Animals are sentient creatures that deserve our respect and protection. They aren’t aggressive toward human beings unless they’re threatened, and we’ve already stolen much of their wildlife space for our own needs. The last thing we need to do is add to their suffering. The body of every species of animals has been designed differently depending on the place, type and goal of its creation. We should take notice of these differences in benefiting from animals. Finding and protecting missing animals and saving them from death is major contribute. The necessity of providing food, water and other needs are essentials even though the owner of the animals may not consent to it. The necessity of bandaging the wounds of injured animals.
It is necessary to note that when it comes to protecting animals, it is not the duty of the owner only to make sure that they are safe and protected but it is also obligatory on other Muslims who witness the suffering of an animal to do whatever they can to protect it. It is not permissible to kill and hunt animals except for those animals that have been created as food for humanity. There are plenty of things everyday citizens can do. The simplest action is for people to take care of their own pets and learn the facts so they can educate others on proper animal care. Another easy way to help is by donating to or volunteering at a local animal shelter. These things need to be done and take seriously just like we take human cruelty serious.
