Muslims must show compassion towards animals, says sultan

Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has urged Muslims to show compassion towards all animals, including strays and wildlife. This message was conveyed through his Friday sermon titled "Ihsan Terhadap Mahkluk Allah SWT" (compassion towards Allah's creatures), which was delivered at mosques across the state. In a Facebook post, the sultan emphasized that as stewards of the earth, humans have a significant responsibility to care for, protect and manage the environment responsibly.

This includes animals, plants, hills, seas, and rivers. Sultan Sharafuddin stressed that the relationship between humans and other creatures should always be founded on principles of compassion and responsibility, as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad's emphasis on compassionate treatment of animals. While he acknowledged that Islam allows for taking action to prevent harm to humans or property when wildlife poses a threat, he clarified that showing compassion towards animals and ensuring human safety are not contradictory, but rather two aspects of the beauty of Islamic teachings.