This article is about animals in Islamic thought.
The Qur'an has a tendency towards anthropocentrism[1] and assigns a superior status to humans in comparison with animals. It nevertheless strongly enjoins Muslims to treat animals with compassion and not to abuse them. The animals, together with all the creation, are believed to praise God, even if this praise is not expressed in human language.[2][3]
The Qur'an explicitly allows the eating of the meat of the animals.[3][4] Although some Sufis have practiced vegetarianism[citation needed], but to date, there has been no serious discourse on the possibility of vegetarianism interpretations.[3] Certain animals can be eaten under the condition that they are slaughtered in a specified way.[5] Prohibitions include swine, carrion,[6] and animals dhabihah (ritual slaughter) in the name of someone other than God.[5] The Qur'an also states "eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned",[7] so prohibition includes that over which Allah's name has not been mentioned. Carnivorous land animals and birds with talons are forbidden. This prohibition does not extend towards marine animals, though Shia Muslims only allow marine animals with scales, in addition to shrimp and prawn.
Contents |
|
