Compassion towards animals

I wrote this today on my “real name” Facebook account and got a very nice response from a friend, so I am publishing.

My post:

It is the week before Ramadan when "God-fearing" people dump animals so that their house guests or inhabitants will be more comfortable knowing that there is no pet in the house. I don't believe that God will hear their prayers. In fact, if you read the Quran and are a believer, you would never be cruel or neglectful of an animal; on the contrary. God teaches us all kindness and compassion in any religion. Pay attention. Donate to local animal shelters.

Her response:

We all learned this story when we were children and  it's all over Muslims books by prophet Mohammad.

“A woman was tormented because of a cat which she had confined until it died and she had to get into Hell. She did not allow it either to eat or drink as it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the insects of the earth”. (Sahih Muslim)

In addition, over two hundred verses in the Quran deal with animals and six chapters of the Quran are named after animals; including but not limited to Ant, Bee, camel, cow, dog, elephant , horse & lion & many more you can google it.

In Quran there is a verse that says "And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered."

In Islam, the Quran strongly enjoins Muslims to treat animals with compassion and not to abuse them. All creatures are believed to praise God, even if this praise is not expressed in human language.

Prophet Mohammad blessings be upon him, said, “Once a man suffered from thirst while he was walking on a journey. When he found a well, he climbed down into it and drank from it. Then he came out and saw a dog lolling its tongue from thirst and licking the ground. The man said: This dog has suffered thirst just as I have suffered from it. He climbed down into the well, filled his shoe with water, and caught it in his mouth as he climbed up. Then he gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated this deed, so he forgave him.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for charity even for the animals?” The Prophet said, “In every living being there is a reward for charity.”