Miscellaneous rules related to animals

 

Animals are also an integral part of human life.  The paths of human beings and animals do cross each other.  Here, we present some oft-asked rules related to animals. 

 

Killing ants with powder

 

If the ant is stinging, then there is no problem in killing it and if it is not stinging, then killing it is Undesirable (Makruh).  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol.  5, Pg. No: 361.

 

The scholars are in difference of opinion on this.  The preferred opinion is that if the ants are not stinging, then killing it is Undesirable and they are in agreement that it is Undesirable to put ants in water.

 

The reason killing them without a reason is wrong is because the ants glorify Allah Most High.  There is a Hadith in Zujaajatul Masabeeh, Vol.  3, Pg. No:  319:

 

Translation:  It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: An ant stung a Prophet.  He ordered that the ants should be killed.  The colony of those ants was burned.  Allah Most High sent him a revelation: Only 1 ant had stung you, but you burned such an Ummah among the Ummahs, which used to glorify Allah Most High.

 

Can we eat rabbit meat?

 

There are various Hadith about eating rabbits, which show that rabbit is a permissible (Halaal) animal.  There is a Hadith in Sunan Nasai:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him), he said:  A Bedouin brought fried rabbit meat to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) didn’t eat of it but ordered the Companions to eat from it.  (Sunan Nasai, Hadith No. 4310)

 

In the light of this Hadith, the jurists have opined that eating rabbit is permissible.  As given Bada‘i Us Sana‘i.

 

Abandoning a pet cat

 

According to the Shariah, there is no problem in rearing a cat, provided its food, etc. is well taken care of.  Keeping an animal and not taking caring of is punishable, about which there is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: A woman went to hell because of a cat.  She kept the cat with her until it died of hunger.  That woman was sent to hell because of a cat.  Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) said that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) also said:  Allah knows it better that when you held the cat, you did not give it food or water and did not set it free either so that it could catch and eat.  (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No: 2192)

 

After having a cat as a pet, you can also set it free if you want to.

 

Sterilization of dogs

 

The Shariah doesn’t allow animals to be troubled without any pressing need.  As far as sterilization of animals is concerned, the Jurists have clarified that sterilization of animals to gain any benefit or to remove any hurt is permissible and there is no problem in it.  As mentioned in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 357:

 

Translation: Apart from horse, there is no problem in sterilizing other animals provided it leads to some benefit.  There is no problem in sterilization of a cat provided the sterilization leads to some benefit or removes some hurt.

 

The above clarifications make it clear that if sterilization is for benefit or to drive away some hurt, then it is permissible.  If dogs are attacking passersby, then doing so is necessary to make sure that the men, women and children can go about their work without any harm.