Green Scripture - Animals — Green Muslims

Animals

Animals, birds and insects are mentioned in the Qur’an for mankind to appreciate and learn from. In domesticated animals we learn excellence, loyalty, patience and many other values whereas from the wild animals we learn that the power of a united front, even if by a flock of birds, could overcome the strongest of animals, such as elephants. They can have close-knit family units, they have needs and wants, their own language and traditions, and will, like all living things, return to the Almighty in the end. Not only do they serve as a wonderful sample in so many ways for people to reflect on, but also are provided to humans as gifts and good that animals bring, praised for their beauty and help, for which humankind should be grateful. Man has the right to use the earth, the animals, and the minerals to help him in his subsistence on earth. However, harming them (like that of the miracle she-camel) brings about the wrath of the creator, therefore Islam has set kindness and mercy towards them as one of its founding bricks of values, thus disrespecting God given gift is being disgraceful to God. The Qur’an serves us as a reminder to learn how respect them as we would our own communities, and the reading selections should provide you a basic sense of the animals’ importance in Islam. There you learn whether feared or revered, the role that wild and domesticated animals play in relaying messages and lessons remains profound and timeless, with a new generations of Muslims rediscovering them each time they read the Quran.

*If you click on “Read More” you will be provided alternative translations of the same selections. Bolded throughout for additional emphasis.

2. Al-Baqarah (The Cow): 164

In the creation of the heavens and earth; in the alternation of night and day; in the ships that sail the seas with goods for people; in the water which God sends down from the sky to give life to the earth when it has been barren, scattering all kinds of creatures over it; in the changing of the winds and clouds that run their appointed courses between the sky and earth: there are signs in all these for those who use their minds.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 26, 2019

2. Al-Baqarah (The Cow): 204-205

There is [a kind of] man whose views on the life of this world may please you [Prophet], he even calls on God to witness what is in his heart, yet he is the bitterest of opponents. When he leaves, he sets out to spread corruption in the land, destroying crops and live-stock- God does not like corruption.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 24, 2019

6. Al-An'am (The Cattle): 38

all the creatures that crawl on the earth and those that fly with their wings are communities like yourselves. We have missed nothing out of the Record- in the end they will be gathered to their Lord.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 20, 2019

16. An-Nahl (The Bee): 5-8

And livestock––He created them too. You derive warmth and other benefits from them: you get food from them; you find beauty in them when you bring them home to rest and when you drive them out to pasture. They carry your loads to lands you yourselves could not reach without great hardship––truly your Lord is kind and merciful–– horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and use for show, and other things you know nothing about.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 11, 2019

16. An-Nahl (The Bee): 10-18

It is He who sends down water for you from the sky, from which comes a drink for you, and the shrubs that you feed to your animals. With it He grows for you grain, olives, palms, vines, and all kinds of other crops. There truly is a sign in this for those who reflect. By His command He has made the night and day, the sun, moon, and stars all of benefit to you. There truly are signs in this for those who use their reason. He has made of benefit to you the many-coloured things He has multiplied on the earth. There truly are signs in this for those who take it to heart. It is He who made the sea of benefit to you: you eat fresh fish from it and bring out jewellery to wear; you see the ships cutting through its waves so that you may go in search of His bounty and give thanks. He has made mountains stand firm on the earth, to prevent it shaking under you, and rivers and paths so that you may find your way, and landmarks and stars to guide people. Can He who creates be compared to one who cannot create? Why do you not take heed? If you tried to count God’s blessings, you could never take them all in: He is truly most forgiving and most merciful.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 10, 2019

16. An-Nahl (The Bee): 49

It is to God that everything in the heavens and earth submits, every beast that moves, even the angels- they are free from arrogance

Sevim KalyoncuApril 9, 2019

16. An-Nahl (The Bee): 65-69

It is God who sends water down from the sky and with it revives the earth when it is dead. There truly is a sign in this for people who listen. In livestock, too, you have a lesson- We give you a drink from the contents of their bellies, between waste matter and blood, pure milk, sweet to the drinker. From the fruits of date palms and grapes you take sweet juice and wholesome provisions. There truly is a sign in this for people who use their reason. And your Lord inspired the bee, saying, ‘Build yourselves houses in the mountains and trees and what people construct. Then feed on all kinds of fruit and follow the ways made easy for you by your Lord.’ From their bellies comes a drink of different colours in which there is healing for people. There truly is a sign in this for those who think.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 8, 2019

17. Al-Isra (The Night Journey): 44

The seven heavens and the earth and everyone in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not celebrate His praise, though you do not understand their praise: He is most forbearing, most forgiving.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 6, 2019

19. Maryam (Mary): 40

It is We who will inherit the earth and all who are on it: they will all be returned to Us.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 5, 2019

20. Taha (Ta-Ha): 53-55

It was He who spread out the earth for you and traced routes in it. He sent down water from the sky. With that water We bring forth every kind of plant, so eat, and graze your cattle. There are truly signs in all this for people of understanding. From the earth We created you, into it We shall return you, and from it We shall raise you a second time.

Sevim KalyoncuApril 4, 2019

21. Al-Anbya (The Prophets): 79

and made Solomon understand the case [better], though We gave sound judgement and knowledge to both of them. We made the mountains and the birds celebrate Our praises with David- We did all these things

Sevim KalyoncuApril 2, 2019

22. Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage): 18

Do you not realize [Prophet] that everything in the heavens and earth submits to God: the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, and the animals? So do many human beings, though for many others punishment is well deserved. Anyone disgraced by God will have no one to honour him: God does whatever He will.

Sevim KalyoncuMarch 30, 2019

24. An-Nur (The Light): 41

[Prophet], do you not see that all those who are in the heavens and earth praise God, as do the birds with wings outstretched? Each knows its [own way] of prayer and glorification: God has full knowledge of what they do.

Sevim KalyoncuMarch 26, 2019

24. An-Nur (The Light): 45

and God created each animal out of [its own] fluid: some of them crawl on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some on four. God creates whatever He will; God has power over everything.

Sevim KalyoncuMarch 25, 2019

27. An-Naml (The Ant): 60-64

Who created the heavens and earth? Who sends down water from the sky for you– with which We cause gardens of delight to grow: you have no power to make the trees grow in them– is it another god beside God? No! But they are people who take others to be equal with God. Who is it that made the earth a stable place to live? Who made rivers flow through it? Who set immovable mountains on it and created a barrier between the fresh and salt water? Is it another god beside God? No! But most of them do not know. Who is it that answers the distressed when they call upon Him? Who removes their suffering? Who makes you successors in the earth? Is it another god beside God? Little notice you take! Who is it that guides you through the darkness on land and sea? Who sends the winds as heralds of good news before His mercy? Is it another god beside God? God is far above the partners they put beside him! Who is it that creates life and reproduces it? Who is it that gives you provision from the heavens and earth? Is it another god beside God?’ Say, ‘Show me your evidence then, if what you say is true.’

Sevim KalyoncuMarch 22, 2019

55. Ar-Rahman (The Beneficent): 5-13

The sun and the moon follow their calculated courses. The plants and the trees submit to His designs. He has raised up the sky. He has set the balance. So that you may not exceed in the balance: Weigh with justice and do not fall short in the balance. He set down the Earth for His creatures, with its fruits, its palm trees with sheathed clusters, its husked grain, its fragrant plants. Which, then, of your Lord’s blessings do you both deny?

Sevim KalyoncuMarch 10, 2019

57. Al-Hadid (The Iron): 1

Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies God––He is the Almighty, the Wise.

Sevim KalyoncuMarch 9, 2019

80. 'Abasa (He Frowned): 24-32

Let man consider the food he eats! We pour down abundant water and cause the soil to split open. We make grain grow, and vines, fresh vegetation, olive trees, date palms, luscious gardens, fruits, and fodder: all for you and your livestock to enjoy.

Sevim KalyoncuMarch 5, 2019