Be kind to animals
Donald Trump's recent ruling on the importation of elephant heads has been turning heads to the important issue of animal rights.
While I am not a PETA activist or someone who abstains from consuming animal products, as a practicing Ahmadi Muslim, I firmly believe in the importance of being kind and compassionate towards animals. From the life of the Prophet Muhammad, we find countless examples of his kind treatment towards animals. He forbade his followers from branding cattle on the forehead, asked them to practice extra care when slaughtering animals, and many times, upon seeing animals in distress, immediately took measures to alleviate their pain. For instance, once he and some of his followers were out, when he saw a bird fluttering about in distress. He asked what had happened and his companions replied that they had taken its eggs. He immediately asked them to return the eggs to the nest.
My mother told me a beautiful incident which always brings tears to my eyes from the life of a man who lived about a hundred years ago in India. He was known to be very spiritual and his prayers would often get accepted. Once, a person asked him how he had attained this spiritual status and he said that there is only once incident that he could remember after which he felt that his spiritual level had been elevated.
He then related the incident of a rainy day when he was at the mosque. He saw a dog bring her pups into the mosque and place them in a corner to shield them from the rain and then go out in search of food. While she was gone, a man who cleaned the mosque took the pups and placed them outside. The dog returned and, seeing her pups gone, became distressed. She went out, found them and brought them back to the mosque.
The man was watching and his heart filled with love and compassion for the dog and her pups. At that time, someone sent over food for him for lunch but instead of eating it himself, he placed it before the dog who ate from it and also fed her pups. Upon finishing, the dog let out three barks of appreciation. It was after this incident, the man said, that his prayers would often get accepted.
I think that all spiritual traditions offer beautiful insights into how we should lovingly co-exist with the other creatures on this Earth. When I initially heard about Donald Trump's ruling on allowing elephant trophy heads into the country, I was very upset, but I applaud his move to change his earlier decision. I hope he takes the time to reflect upon the wisdom taught by various spiritual traditions and also everyday people in regards to the humane treatment of animals, and cultivate further compassion towards our animal friends.
Tahira Tahir
North Delta
