How Prophet Muhammad,(PBUH)treated living creatures

Introduction

Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was sent as a mercy to the entire creation – not just to his own family and tribe or the Arabs or to human beings alone.

Human beings were made the custodian of creation on earth and this custodianship entails treating all living creatures with kindness and mer- cy. These qualities are best shown by the actions and narrations of the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He reminded people that they will be answerable to Allah for their treatment of other living crea- tures. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not merely admonish people to refrain from physical cruelty towards animals; he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa allam, even took into consideration the emotional distress and maternal feelings of defenseless creatures.