
Lesson 1 · Rahmah · ages 5-7
Mercy to animals
A woman was forgiven for giving water to a thirsty dog. Kindness to an animal is real worship, not a small thing.
- The thirsty dog
The Prophet ﷺ told of a man who filled his shoe with water for a panting dog, and Allah forgave him for it.
- Reward in every living thing
The companions asked if animals earn reward too — the Prophet ﷺ said there is a reward for kindness to every living thing.
- No branding the face
The Prophet ﷺ forbade striking or branding an animal on the face.
- Do not overload or exhaust
Animals must not be made to carry more than they can, and they are watered and fed before their owner rests.
- Even in slaughter, be merciful
The Prophet ﷺ commanded excellence in everything, including sharpening the blade and not causing extra pain.
وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَٰٓئِرٍۢ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّآ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم ۚ مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مِن شَىْءٍۢ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
Wa maa min daaabbatin fil ardi wa laa taaa'iriny yateeru bijanaahaihi illaaa umamun amsaalukum; maa farratnaa fil Kitaabi min shai'in summa ilaa Rabbihim yuhsharoon
“And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.”
وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمَ خَلَقَهَا ۗ لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌۭ وَمَنَٰفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
Wal an 'amaa khalaqahaa; lakum feehaa dif'unw wa manaafi'u wa minhaa taakuloon
“And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat.”
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلطَّيْرُ صَٰٓفَّٰتٍۢ ۖ كُلٌّۭ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُۥ وَتَسْبِيحَهُۥ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
Alam tara annal laaha yusabbihu lahoo man fissamaawaati wal ardi wat tairu saaaffaatim kullun qad 'alima Salaatahoo wa tasbeehah; wallaahu 'aleemum bimaa yaf'aloon
“Do you not see that Allah is exalted by whomever is within the heavens and the earth and [by] the birds with wings spread [in flight]? Each [of them] has known his [means of] prayer and exalting [Him], and Allah is Knowing of what they do.”
“A man saw a dog eating mud from the severity of thirst, so he took a shoe and filled it with water and kept on pouring the water for the dog till it quenched its thirst.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 173
“Verily Allah has enjoined goodness to everything; so when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.”
Sahih Muslim 1955
Do this before next time
Put out water for birds or a street animal this week and check it is still full tomorrow.




