Fundamental needs of animals in Islam includes their rights in Islam, and human beings have to fulfill them. The very first needs of animals which are vital to them include sufficient and proper food, water, a comfortable place to rest and live, and physical health. These and some other rights of the animals are discussed in this article.

Food for Animals in Islam

Animals are unable to talk and express their needs. Captivating the animals and inhibiting them from the blessings that God has reserved for them are unfair [1]. Every animal with either lawful (Halal) or unlawful (Haram) meat, with or without benefit to its owner, birds or cattle, should be provided with adequate food and water, otherwise should be released to seek for its requirements [2]. The animals’ rights in food provision can be listed as:

Feeding the animal adequately, otherwise, it should be released in pastures or nature to find food [3];
Paying special attention to the animal, with whether lawful  [i] (Halal) or unlawful [ii] (Haram) meat, which gives milk to its baby because it requires double food supply [4]. Imam Ali (AS) ordered the alms-tax collectors nor to separate the camel from its baby neither to milk the whole milk of the camel as it might be harmful to the baby camel [5];

Not to feed the animal with unlawful food since it is detestable (Makruh) [6];
Not to leave the animal hungry. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) blamed a man who had left his camel hungry: “you should fear God!” [7];
Watering animal. Partial (Wudu) and full (Ghusl) ablution are some sorts of washing body which are obligatory for Muslims in certain conditions and are prerequisites for some religious duties. Regarding Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), if an animal is dying of thirst and there is not enough water to both water the animal and perform the ablution, at certain conditions, watering the animal is the priority [8]. Imam Baqir (AS) said that whoever waters a thirsty animal, God will place him at the shelter of His Throne the day that there is no protection except Him [9].

Health and Treatment of Animals in Islam

Hygiene and health of the animal are emphasized in Islam. Providing animals with healthy food and water, a clean place to live and the required treatments and medications are of the duties over their owners. Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) obliges the owner of the animal to pay the expenses of the treatment of the animal [10].

Rest and Peace

It is over every Muslim to consider the rest and peace of the animal. Thereby, an appropriate place should be provided for the animal. Also, a suitable time should be considered for the exploitation of the animal, especially during the night that they need to rest. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) advised to let the animals rest whenever they are utilized and ordered not to oppress them[11].

These and other Islamic advises demonstrate how much care is given to the animals in Islam. This is contrary to the modern thinking ideas that consider animals as machines to serve humans without needing any rest. 

Reproduction

Human beings are not allowed to deprive animals of reproduction [12]. According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), sterilizing the animal is equal to dismembering it [12]. 

Affection toward Animals in Islam

An animal raised by a human being has the right of affection over its owner. Hence, it is detestable that the owner of the animal slaughters the animal that he\she has raised [13]. This shows that Islam considers the rights due to a harmonious cohabitation for humans over each other as well as for animals over humans. Imam Sajjad (AS) made a will to bury his camel after its death so that it might not be torn apart by the wild animals [14]. 

Respect for the Animals in Islam

Animals trained for purposes such as companionship, detection, protection, farm work, etc.  have received great care in Islamic teachings such that keeping a trained dog at home is permitted if the hygiene tips are considered [15]. It is narrated that a man who had his horse with him, saluted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). Prophet (PBUH&HP) saluted both the man and his horse in return [16].

This demonstrates the importance of keeping respect for the animals, especially those that are trained. In this regard, branding iron animal on the face (which was common in the past among some ethnic groups) is forbidden in Islam and is considered unfair [17]. Also, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) ordered not to rest while seated on the animals’ back [18].

Punishments for Ignoring the Rights of the Animals in Islam

Respecting the rights of the animals in Islam is so important that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) said that whoever ignores the rights of the animals that he\she had owned, he\she should wait in the judgment day until those animals pass over while crushing or butting him\her [19]. 

Notes:
[i]. e.g., cow or sheep.
[ii]. e.g., dog. 

References:

1. A. Javadi Amoli, “Mafatih al-hayat”, p. 675.
2. Sheikh al-Tusi, “Al-Mabsoot”, vol. 6, p. 47.
3. H. T. Nuri Ṭabarsi, “Mustadrak al-Wasail”, vol. 8, p. 36.
4. A. Javadi Amoli, “Mafatih al-hayat”, p. 678.
5. “Nahj al-Balagha”, letter 25.
6. Sheikh al-Tusi, “Tahdhib al-Ahkam”, vol. 9, p. 115.
7. M. B. Majlesi, “Bihar al-Anwar”, vol. 61, p. 111.
8. A. Javadi Amoli, “Mafatih al-hayat”, p. 681.
9. “Makarim al-Akhlaq”, p. 135.
10. M. H. Najafi, “Jawahir al-Kalam”, vol. 36, p. 436-437.
11. J. Suyuti, “Jami al-Sagheer”, vol. 1, p. 102.
12.  A. Javadi Amoli, “Mafatih al-hayat”, p. 686.
13.  A. Al-Barqi, “Al-Mahasin”, p. 634.
14. Shaykh al-Saduq, “Thawab al-A'mal wa 'Iqab al-A'mal”, p. 50.
15. Animals in Islam
16. F. Rawandi, “Al-Nawader”, p. 41-42.
17. Shaykh Saduq, “Al-Amali”, p. 507.
18. Q. Nu'man, “Da'a'im al-Islam”, vol 1, p. 347.
19. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, “Sahih Muslim”, vol. 3, p. 74.

After an exhausting day of unending work, you decide to have a night out with your friends. And you end up in a nightclub or casino where you can enjoy your time by playing a fun and simple-looking game. In no time you find yourself engaged in a gamble which seems to be going on forever. And you end up either losing the money – no matter how much - you have gained through too much effort, or achieve some money without doing any profitable action in return. That is only one instance of this kind of so-called fun called gambling. Though, it sometimes turns out to be much more than simple entertainment and results in losing one’s whole living in a matter of a few seconds. But does Islam allow its followers to go through such an experience? The answer is a definite No [i] & [ii], for this is a lose-lose situation for both parties, financially and psychologically, even though it may not look so. In this matter, Islam, as always plans what is best for the lives of human beings. Let’s regard this issue in depth. Is Gambling in Islam Allowed?

Which Kinds of Games are Forbidden (Haram) in Islam?

According to all Islamic jurists, games that include the special means of gambling such as cards, backgammon, etc. are forbidden if they are accompanied with betting. Moreover, every kind of game that is played through betting is forbidden. Nevertheless, some scholars believe that playing with the special means of gambling, even without betting, is not allowed [iii]&[1]. This is because the one who plays with particular means of gambling will automatically be accused of betting or may seem like doing it.

  Why is Gambling in Islam Forbidden (Haram)?

The adverse effects of gambling on one’s life as well as the society he/she lives in are many and have been mentioned by many Islamic and/or non-Islamic scholars.

Gambling Threatens Financial Health of the Society and Social Security

According to a study done in the United States, “more than $5 billion has been lost each year to gambling addictions. In addition, $40 billion has been spent on social services and creditor losses. These studies go on to state that two out of three gambling addicts will engage in illegal acts to pay for their gambling debts. The effect is that the addiction places a severe hardship on prison systems, public assistance programs and legal systems” [3].

Lose of credit and job is only one among many financial losses that are caused by gambling on an individual but it will not be limited to him/her and requires the society to take care of him/her. Moreover, when a game turns to a real-life lose or win, the one who engages in it sees his/her opponent as a real-life enemy whom he/she needs to defeat. This, as a result, spreads the feeling of enmity, avarice, and vengeance within the society [2]. Quran also emphasizes the evilness of this action: “Indeed Satan seeks to cast enmity and hatred among you through wine and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and prayer. Will you, then, relinquish?” (5:91).  

Gambling Undermines Psychological and Physical Well-being of the Individual 

No matter you lose or win in this game, the effect would be detrimental for you. Let’s say you are a very lucky person and win every time you gamble, what would you do with the growing sense of greed for money? Or with this incessant desire to gamble more and more to the point that you cannot think about anything except gambling? Losing also brings its own destructive results; aside from losing the money that you could spend in a much useful way for yourself or your family, you lose your own self-confidence and feel undermined.

The pressure that is inflicted upon the gambler will inevitably lead to physical problems. According to a study, “the stress of gambling problems sometimes causes health problems, for both the person who gambles and the family. This can include anxiety, depression and stress-related problems such as poor sleep, ulcers, bowel problems, headaches, and muscle pains”. Also, in some cases this mental pressure caused the individual to feel suicidal and want to end his/her life [5].

When your mind is occupied with gaining more money, how to beat your opponent on the next gamble or how to pay your debts, no place will remain for you to turn and remind yourself of your duty toward Allah and His mercy upon you. And when Allah is absent from your heart and mind, the result is the constant feeling of insecurity and stress, for: “…The hearts find rest in Allah’s remembrance!”(13:28).   

The Last word

Finally, gambling is the cause of many harms to the individual as well as the society. Based on a general rule in Islam, no one is allowed to either “cause harm or return harm” [6] to him/herself or others. As it was mentioned above, gambling brings many financial as well as psychological complexities for the people involved in it and the society they live in. Therefore Islam does not allow its followers to bear such disadvantages.   

Notes:

[i] (2:219), (5:90).

[ii] Imam Reza (AS) Said: “Allah forbids His followers from any kind of gambling and ordered them to refuse doing them and called them impure and evil…” [4].

[iii] It is important to note that for the participants in horse racing and archery the action of betting is allowed [2]. The reason for that was Islam’s attention to the importance of learning the martial arts for Muslims.

References:

1. Gambling in Islam
2. Sayyid Abdul Husayn Dastghaib Shirazi, Greater Sins, Vol.1
3. Gambling addiction
4. Fiqh al-Reza, p.284.
5. Shaikh al-Hur al-Aamili, Wassail Al-Shia, vol. 18, p.32