The Prophet (pbuh) not only preached to
the people to show kindness to each other but also to all living souls. He
forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals
at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily. [Sahih Muslim] If
he saw any animal over-loaded or Milad he would pull up the owner and
say,
"Fear Allah in your treatment of
animals." [Abu Dawood]
A companion came to him with the young ones
of a bird in his sheet and said that the mother bird had hovered over them all
along. He was directed to replace her offspring in the same bush (Mishkat, Abu
Dawood)
During a journey, somebody picked up
some birds eggs. The bird's painful note and fluttering attracted the attention
of the Prophet (pbuh), who asked the man to replace the eggs. [Sahih
Bukhari]
As his army marched towards Makkah
to conquer it, they passed a female dog with puppies. The Prophet (pbuh) not
only gave orders that they should not be disturbed, but posted a man to see that
this was done.
He stated, "Verily, there is heavenly reward for every act of kindness done to
a living animal."
Muhammad (pbuh) also used to command mercy for all animals
such that they are fed well, watered well, not forced to carry too heavy a
burden, and not tortured or maimed for one's enjoyment.
AbuHurayrah said:
"The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, said, 'While a man was walking on a road he became very thirsty. He found
a well, went into it, drank, and came out. [Upon exiting he met] a dog panting
and eating the dirt out of thirst. The man said: 'This dog has become stricken
with the same degree of thirst which had stricken me.' He went down into the
well and filled his shoe and then held it in his mouth until he climbed out and
gave the dog water to drink. Allah thanked him (for his good deed) and forgave
him.' They said, 'O Messenger of Allah, are we rewarded for taking care of
beasts?' He said, 'There is a reward [for you] in every creature with a moist
liver.'"(Narrated by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and Malik)
AbuHurayrah said:
"Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: 'A woman was punished
because of a cat. She neither provided it with food nor drink, nor set it free
so that it might eat the insects of the earth.' "
(Narrated by Muslim and Al-Bukhari).
Sahl ibn Amr said:
"The Messenger of Allah passed by a camel who's stomach
quite touched it's back (from lack of food). Upon seeing this he said: 'Fear God
in these unspeaking animals! Ride them [while they are] in good health, and eat
them [while they are] in good health' " (Narrated by
Abu-Dawood)
Excellent Qualities 
