The Prophet(PBUH)used to prohib- it separating the mother from its offspring

“We were with the Prophet of Al- lah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, on a journey when he drew apart (to answer the call of nature). In his absence, we saw a red bird that had two young ones with it. We caught them and the small red mother bird came, beating the earth with its wings. In the meantime, the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, returned and said: “Who has put this bird to distress on account of its young? Return them to her.’’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also noticed an ant-hill which we had burnt up. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked: “Who has set fire to this?’’ We replied, “We have done so.” The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “None can chastise with fire except the Lord of the fire.”1