Etiquette towards animals

Islamic guidelines:
A Muslim considers most animals to be deserving of a certain level of
respect as creatures. He showsmercy to them due to the mercy of Allaah
upon them. He also adheres to the following manners with respect to
them, which are part of the etiquettes that Islam encourages Muslims
tofulfill:
1. A Muslim feeds or gives water to an animal if he finds it hungry or
thirsty. This is based on the Messenger's statement: "There is a
reward (for serving) everything with a moist liver (that is, every
living creature)." ] Ahmad]
2. A Muslim should have compassion and mercy towards animals. The
Prophet said: "Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy."
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
He said in other narration: "Have mercy toward those on theEarth and
The One above the Heavens will have mercy on you." [At-Tabaraani]
The Prophet himself set the best example in this regard. When he saw a
group of people using a live animal for archery target practice, he
said: "May Allaah curse the one who uses any creature with a soul as a
target." [Muslim]
Once a bird was distressed because someone had taken its young from
her nest. Allaah's Messenger then said: "Who has distressed this one
because of its baby. Return its baby to her." [Abu Daawood]
3. The Muslim must be kind to the animal, even when he is about to
slaughter it. Allaah's Messenger has said: "Verily, Allaah has
prescribed excellence in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill in a kind
manner. If you slaughter, slaughter in a kind manner. Each of you
should sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal he is
slaughtering." [ Muslim]
4. A Muslim should never torture an animal by any means of torture,
such as beating it, making it carry more than it can handle,
mutilating it or burning itby a fire. The Prophet also prohibited the
tying down of animals until they die. Allaah's Messenger once said: "
A woman entered the Hell-fire because of a cat that she tied down. She
neither fed it nor let it free to eat the insects of the earth until
it died." [Al-Bukhaari]
Allaah's Messenger once passed by an anthill that had been burnt to
the ground and he said: "It is not becoming that anyone should punish
by fire except the Lord of the Fire." [ AbuDaawood]
However, it is permissible to kill the harmful animals, such as
voracious dogs, wolves, snakes, scorpions, rats etc. This is based on
the Prophet's statement: " Five noxious or harmful animals are to be
killed whether or not one is in the state of pilgrimage: the snake,
the speckled raven that has whiteness either on its back or stomach,
the rat, the voracious dog and the kite (a birdsimilar to a hawk)."
[Muslim]
It is also confirmed from Allaah's Messenger that he cursed the
scorpion and killed it. [Al-Bayhaqi]
Other related matters:
1. It is allowed to brand grazing animals in their ears for some
overriding need. The Prophet was seen branding, by his own hand, the
camels given in charity.As for other than camels, sheep, goats and
cows, it is not allowed to brand them. The Prophet saw a donkey
branded on his faceand said: "May Allaah curse the one who branded
that (donkey) on its face." [Muslim]
2. One must recognize the right of Allaah concerning his animals by
paying the Zakaah due on them if they are from the animalsconcerning
which one must pay Zakaah.
3. One must not become so preoccupied with animals or playing with
them that one disobeys Allaah, or does not remember Allaah properly.
Allaahhas said, (what means): "O you who believe! Let not your
properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of
Allaah." [Quran 63:9]
Allaah's Messenger stated concerning horses: "A horse may be kept for
one of three reasons. For one man, it may be a source of reward, for
another it may be a source of living and yet for another it may be a
sinful burden. As for the one for whom it is a source of reward, he is
the one who keeps his horse for the sake of Jihaad in Allaah's cause
(i.e. fighting); he ties it with a long rope in a pasture or in a
garden. So whatever its rope allows it to eat will be regarded as
good, rewardable deeds (for its owner). And if it breaks off its rope
and jumps over one or two hillocks, even its dung will be considered
among his good deeds. A horse is a shelter for theone who keeps it so
that he may earn his living honestly and takes it as a refuge to keep
him from following forbidden means. (The third is) a horse is a sinful
burdenfor him who keeps it out of pretense and show and with the
intention of harming Muslims." [ Al-Bukhaari]
These are, in general, the etiquettes that a Muslim should adhere to
with respect to animals, out of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger
and in adherence to what the Islamic law has ordered him… the
Sharee'ah of mercy… the Sharee'ah of general goodness for all
creatures, be they human or animal.