Empowering Muslims to benefit society through faith-based campaigns
Let’s Serve: A Request
One of the key things 1st Ethical are looking to continue doing is to strengthen our collaborations with major organisations/charities and “movements” that all work for the public good with wide ranging projects from animal welfare to maternal care to fostering to environmental awareness to political awareness to children safety etc etc.
Needless to say, but as Muslims we have been obligated to make a difference in many areas and work for the common good and welfare of our wider society. Personally speaking, I’m looking forward to continuing producing indisputable scriptural proof for the necessity to get involved as much as we possibly can in order to bring greater benefit to all those around us, in each and every single cause, whether they be weird and wonderful or boring and vital. Don’t forget that the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said in the good hadith, “The best of you are those who are most beneficial to mankind.”
We have the logistics and the ability to help ensure that happens here at 1st Ethical but what we need are great ideas and great people who are willing to volunteer their minds and then hopefully even volunteer their time if we decide to take some campaigns nationwide etc. We want to collectively be able to serve different people in different areas, a sentiment which was wonderfully taught to us in the actions of the Prophet Jesus (‘alayhis-salam) when one of his followers tried to carry something for him upon which Jesus refused and said to him, “I was sent to serve, not to be served.”
We’ve decided to call this generic effort “Lets Serve” and through this title, we hope to be able to post on this site a request to you all for help and ideas each time we receive interest from specialist/expert partner organisations and stakeholders. So now you know the vision and background of this effort to help foster better relations and civically engage with our wider community. And seriously, don’t think this is some pointless kind of nonsense that has nothing to do with you – one of the most stunning lessons I have learnt in a long life of studying and activism is that just a small number of people can enact great things. It just requires big hearts, a big vision and commitment. People always think that our inactivity and apathy is always because of a lack of money and resources but believe me, it is hardly ever about lack of money and resources. It’s the visionary volunteers and ideas we need, the money then follows out of nowhere! We hope – God willing – that we can count on your support each time we make this public call.
So I’d like to kick this process off with a consultation with your good selves on this page, Facebook, Twitter and other networks: so ok this might sound like a strange place to start considering all the challenges we have in this country but we’re due to partner with some leading charities on the issue of animal welfare (just trust us on this!) but before we can do that, we need to be able to frame exactly where we as Muslims can help. What areas/campaigns can we easily and effectively promote and illustrate our support of certain aspects of the relationship between humans and animals that will earn the Muslim community a greater appreciation from animal lovers around the country?
Do we focus on pets, animal compassion, certain ethical standards etc? The classical body of fiqh surrounding this subject is quite fixed and not really going to help us too much in this area I fear, hence the need for some imagination and quality. So lets see what ideas and thoughts you have.
iMuslim
Salam – great initiative, may Allah grant us success, ameen.
I hate to start with problems… but hoping some solutions may come from it.
The British Muslim community do not seem like ‘animal lovers’ mainly because:
1) Some of us are against the use of stunning of animals prior to slaughter. It is seen as cruel, even by other meat eaters. Though there is evidence to suggest that zabiha slaughter without stunning causes the animal less pain, we humans are emotional creatures; we tend to anthropomorphize animals, assuming they think and feel the same way we would do in their positions. Allah knows best.
There is also a problem with the poor treatment of animals prior to slaughter, which is unIslamic. There are very few ‘organic’ options out there for Muslims.
2) We do not typically keep dogs as pets, and the British love their dogs! It’s not just that we don’t keep dogs… many people make faces or flinch whenever they see a dog. Like their very existence is haram. I have to admit to moving away sometimes, only because I fear they may drool on me, and I need to pray in these clothes.
Anyway, we’ve become too exaggerated in our response to Allah’s creatures, and that doesn’t help our image with the dog lovers of the UK.
These are two points to consider before partnering with the NSPCA or other animal rights groups, as we don’t want to be hypocritical, saying we love animals, but then are happy with their mistreatment before they end up on our plates, or that we secretly loathe the nation’s favourite animal companion.
Saying that, I think a good partnership would be with the few organic Muslim farms operating in the UK. Promoting their work as a shining example of how animals should be raised. And also, encouraging us to eat less meat. We cannot possibly live an organic lifestyle, and eat meat every day, or even every other day. It’s a simple matter of insufficient supply due to the nature of organic methods – it just won’t happen.
This is the problem my family faces now. I would love us all to go organic, but the meat costs more (but tastes better), and so it is a harder sell as it would require sacrifice on our parts. One day insha’Allah.
Yusuf
Salam alaikum,
I agree with the post above about exaggerated negative responses to certain animals. In my experience this manifests as a rabid hatred of dogs and also shying away from studying veterinary medicine because “I might have to treat pigs”. I know so many talented young people who are passionate about animals but who were convinced by parents/friends/elders to avoid vm for this reason.
I think all these issues boil down to a poor understanding of fiqh and of the priorities of shari’a. Simple leaflets in masajid would go a long way to educate people correctly.
May Allah guide us,
Wa Salam
Nj
Salam! Not pak, hope you don’t mind. How about working with a charity that involves animals but may not necessarily be only about them? Like charities that provide horse riding opportunities for disabled people? Also, how about conservation charities like the world wildlife fund, or organizations that rescue wild animals like orangutans which have been trapped and abused. There are a lot of really worthy organizations, not just in the uk but based in Asia as well. UK based organizations that focus on local issues like saving the hedgerows and support local flora are also good opportunities. Would be great if kids could also be involved and help out!
iMuslim
I really like the above ideas masha’Allah. I remember seeing a TV advert for a charity that rescues overworked and abused donkeys – they give them veterinary assistance and help the owners (who are usually in developing countries where the animals are still used for carrying heavy loads) to look after them better. It reminds me of the hadith about the camel that was suffering because it was overloaded with goods, and the Prophet’s advise against this practice, sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam.
ADMIN
Here are some further ideas from our social networks, showing the name first of the contributor, followed by their comment, the time it was made and support of those comments:
Umer Siddique – Sorry dude, did you really say “Paks” and “animal rights activists” in the same breath about the same people?
Monday at 14:15 · Like · 5 people
Yusuf Azima Paks – love food, any halal animal will do!
Monday at 14:29 · Like · 5 people
Naila Ghani – Guinea Pigs.
They‘re like the cutest animals (had adopted some myself) but they‘re also being used as .. well ..guinea pigs.
They can stand symbol for the fight of animallover against injustice..
Just an idea.
Because we muslims also melt away at seeing cuteness
Monday at 14:52 · Like · 1 person
Ardraysh Ayahz Ihsan – just dont use dogs, its a paks kryptonite
Monday at 15:02 · Like
Asmaa Yusuf – Salaam, very interesting. I think you should start with the chickens
. I dont even know what its called but raise awareness about the inhumane conditions that battery hens are kept etc or Cats, cats are cool
Monday at 15:10 · Like · 2 people
Omar Ahmad – Aoa brother, very interesting idea . It pains me to say that Pakistanis, especially the very poor, who live and work with animals in their daily routine, such as donkey cart drivers, are so cruel to these poor creatures, that they often over burden, over work and then underfeed them to add insult to injury. They fail to realise that in looking after the donkey, they will not only get more out of them but also please our creator a well. There needs to be an awareness campaign by WWF and other animal stakeholders. Jazaka Allah kharun.
Monday at 15:41 · Like
Asad Rashid – Stray/Abandoned Kitten adoption campaign followed by clinics on how to take care of an abandoned kitten.
Monday at 15:48 · Like
Suhaib Qazi – I agree with Sister Asmaa above, we have to highlight the plight of chickens. The condition the chickens we eat are kept in is practically torture.
It’s a shame that we muslims have been caught up in the commercialism that exists in this society, where increasing production/reducing prices always has a victim, and in this case its the chickens.
If you dont know what i’m talking about then check out Jamie Oliver/Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall campaign a few years back (prob on youtube).
We need to either (a) seriously improve the conditions the chickens are kept in or (b) go organic (which is pricey!). And maybe we also need to ask ourselves “do you we really need to eat as much chicken as we do?”. I mean, there’s always daal……
Monday at 15:50 · Like · 4 people
Faryal Zaffar – There are so many stray dogs and cats roaming around in pakistan, and there are so many of these animals that are starving. I recently saw a stick thin little kitten looking for food, it was awful. In Pakistan at least there aren’t enough organization to look after the strays, and the mere indifference of the public is a tragedy.
Monday at 15:56 · Like
Meherban Irtaza – I think a project that will educate the Muslim community on which kind of pets we can keep in our house. Because they are so many myths in our communities about different animals. I mean we are not well educated on which animals are permissible to keep according to Shariah.
Monday at 16:08 · Like · 1 person
Meherban Irtaza – Another idea will be working with organisations like HMC and help them increase their operations from insuring Halal supply of meat to better living conditions for the animals which are supplied to the Muslim community.
Monday at 16:11 · Like
Maariyah Qahhar – Sister Asmaa and brother Suhaib have hit the nail on the head!!! an awareness of Free-Range Chickens is much needed. I stopped eating chickens unless they were free-range a good 5 years ago. The muslim community have turned a blind eye to the thulm that takes place before the slaughtering of chickens, Please remember:
“Eat of the tayyibat (good lawful things) wherewith we have provided you, and commit no transgression or oppression therein, lest my anger should justly descend on you. And he on whom my anger descends, he is indeed perished. (Surat 20:81).
Monday at 16:28 · Like
Ajith Gopinath – There are many who go to pet dealers to buy kittens and such, and these dealers usually have ‘pet factories’. Instead it would be better to adopt one from one of the adoption houses because they usually have many that they find themselves struggling to keep.
Monday at 16:54 · Like
Umm Yusuf Byron – Paks and animal lovers– kind of an oxymoron no?
Ok- the battery farming is a good idea. Also how about supporting groups opposed to cruel sports involving animals eg fox hunting- check out the website for league against cruel sports… Let’s oppose greyhound racing etc ( harming the betting institutes too-).
There’s also supporting guide dogs–their training etc?….sorry that’s the best my little brain could do for now. =)
Oh and I’m sure there are many non Paks who visit this site and have valuable opinions-let’s hear from them too =)
Monday at 17:21 · Like
Omar Ahmad – Aoa Meherban, it is lawful to have a cat, our blessed Rasul salalaho alaihe was fond of cats and once instead of awaking a cat sleeping on his cloak during salah, he cut the cloak around the cat, so as not to disturb it, MashaAllah, that is the lesson for us, of how we must treat animals . It is also lawful to have a dog if you keep it outside and have it as a guard dog. Also it is forbidden to sell puppies as per a reliable Hadith sharif. Jazak Amullah Khayrun.
Monday at 17:23 · Like · 1 person
Meherban Irtaza – ^Thanks bro..but try telling this to me mum…i am sure u will strugle.:)
Monday at 18:05 · Like
Hassaan Qureshi – why Paks AE? hahaha
I have a cat and my opinions on pets first off is that they are a great to have in one’s home bringing companionship to a home. The other key issue to taking in a pet is the overpopulation of stray cats and animals.
at the same time in relation to animals rights, one needs to make sure they can support a pet. It is not inexpensive to keep a cat with food, litter, shots, neuter, etc this is just a portion, so I think this should be addressed as well.
Islamic point of view can definitely be shared and be made aware
Monday at 19:44 · Like · 2 people
Varisha Saleem – AE, can indian muslims suggest something?
Monday at 19:46 · Like
Varisha Saleem – I love animals, and so does my sister….my mom cant touch them but she has a lot of sympathy for them!
Even when we forget to leave some milk for the stray cat which comes everyday to our home, my mom would never!!
But it is so sad to see that stray animals are treated so badly in the area in my city where muslims are majority! The boys there kick the poor dogs for no reason! And obviously cats are driven away because they drink milk!
I guess, there isn’t much we can do about cats but dogs are the ones which are worst treated here!
And muslims dont do anything, because they THINK that dogs are hateful in Islam. In India, there is Big problem about COWS!
Okay, so people worship cow here but they let it open on streets and cows just sit in the middle of road causing nuisance but often calfs getting hit by trucks and cars!!
Wallahi, i almost got hit by a cow today , i dunno why it was running on the road!!
Yikes!
But the cows, are not well treated….they roam on roads and often i see cows which are hurt badly and are bleeding and no one is taking them home :’(
And then sometimes i have seen a pregnant cow being chased away by a truck or going into labor on road…..it is just so sad to see all this…..i really dont know what should be done!
Just a thought…..Is neutering animals allowed??
Monday at 19:55 · Like · 1 person
Varisha Saleem – Okay, so after all the rant…..it is my younger sister’s retirement dream that she’ll open an animal welfare society!
She thinks that we should collect stray animals and keep them. Safer societies and safe for animals.!
I think we should explain people scientififcally how good it is to halal animals…..afterall, even if nonmuslims dun agree, it is a lot merciful way!!
In this regard, i think this video is very beneficial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quhVxLUwiBw
Monday at 20:02 · Like
Varisha Saleem – Also, we must remind muslims from Quran that we have to be VERY VERY MERCIFUL in all our actions….and these actions include treating animals kindly!
Also, that it is not right to cage birds and that we must report any bird poachers we see.
Monday at 20:07 · Like
Safia Aslam – Not read ALL the above posts… HOWEVER, here are my thoughts if this is the Q
“What areas/campaigns can we easily and effectively promote and illustrate our support of certain aspects of the relationship between humans and animals that will earn the Muslim community a greater appreciation from animal lovers around the country?”
I think the most EFFECTIVE steps to take would be for EVERY muslim to stop purchasing products – household, beauty, etc that have animal in them or that have been tested on animals… covers a few areas- educates us muslims most importantly of the amount of haram we have in our homes and skin (make up). In addition to this we are caring for our furry friends
Monday at 21:59 · Like
Gemma Hall – Thanks Safia for adding me i am an animal rights activist and will help if i can. Regarding Islam and animal rights i am not too sure of how you feel on the issues BUT animal rights activists try to encourage pre-stunning of halal meat which most of the time doesnt happen especially if the meat is brought in from abroad. Also i have been asked about/told that muslims should not use products containing animal products,you will not believe the stuff that goes into products such as shampoo,washing powder etc. If you want to avoid this then look for the BUAV leaping bunny,vegan symbol or label stating ‘no animal ingriedients’. The co-op,marks and spencers,superdrug and sainsburys OWN brand products usually have this on. Also LUSH is a fab shop for girls wanting animal free beauty products. There are also lots of independant companies that display this for example method,bull dog and astonish. If you want more info google buav gocrueltyfree for lists. The charity WSPA is also a great charity and does alot of work in pakistan to rescue bears used for bear baiting which is an illegal but popular ‘sport’ there. Bears have their claws and teeth removed,are tied up and dogs are set on them to kill them without even being able to fight back. Very cruel for both the bears and dogs. Regarding charity and animal rights we do not support or fund charities that use animals in their medical research. That doesnt mean i dont want or support medical progress but we should encourage all charities to use the humane and more accurate non-animal methods avaliable. I hope this helps,thanks Safia x
Monday at 22:18 · Like · 2 people
Gemma Hall – These are easy but important things we can ALL do
Monday at 22:30 · Like
Hafsa Fatima – Unfortunately, majority of the Pakistanis have so many issues that they are currently dealing with. I guess even animals on the streets would be feeling concerned for the nation! Well apart from all the different and important points we may come across here, as believers we all should try, anything in our hands possible enough to serve.
Monday at 23:08 · Like · 2 people
Asiya Mohammed – ah, this one only requires the input of the select few…gotcha! =)
20 hours ago · Like
Nosheen Ayyub – jazakAllahu khair!! As a new homeschooling mum – absolutely love the initiative! Based on your initiative, InshaAllah we’ll be learning and coordinating a trip to the local animal rescue centre. Personally what would strike a chord with me is compassion towards animals – pet and farm animals category in particular. I guess I relate to various stories I heard in the context of learning compassion towards animals in Islam… The prostitute who gave a drink of water to a thirsty dog before herself… Abu Hurayrah being named so due to his cat… Sulayman AS stopping the army for the ants.. I feel targeting muslim children is important.. they have a way of getting through to their parents about such issues simply because when they are passionate about somethign they dont let down! Instilling rahma in our children is foremost as a part of their tarbiyyah – rahma extends to all Allah’s creation. I look forward to updates on this initiative – May Allah give you success and us the tawfiq to support the initiative in whatever capacity possible.
10 hours ago · Like · 1 person
Abu Eesa Niamatullah
Also this as well was contributed as a campaign we could help in?
http://www.rspb.org.uk/offers/ftbd-facebook/index.html