Grazing of sheep is a sunnah of our Beloved Prophet(peace be upon him) and other prophets(as) before him. Many saints of Islam, throughout history have adopted this noble Sunnah. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked that sheep is one of the most gentle animals. There are numerous hadith (Prophetic traditions) about showing kindness and compassion towards sheep.
Hadith #1
According to Abd Allah b. Amr (Radiyallahu Anhu), Once Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) passed by a man who was milking a sheep and said to him, “When you milk her, leave some for her lamb because it is one of the most gentle animals.”
{ Al-Tabarani in Mu’jam Al-Awsat 1:271 Hadith #885; Abu Nua’yam in Hilya al-Awliya , 8:176; al-Haythami in Maj’ma al-Zawaid 8:196}
Hadith #2
Hazrat Abu Hurayra (Radiyallahu Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) said ,”…..Tranquility is found among those who rear goats and sheep.”
{Sahih Muslim,Kitab Al-Iman,Hadith #93}
Hadith #3
According to Hazrat Abu Hurayra (Radiyallahu Anhu) , Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said,” On the Day of Resurrection, you will most certainly restore the rights of those to whom they are owed; even the hornless sheep will take revenge on the horned sheep.'”
{Sahih Muslim , Ch. The Prohibition of Oppression”, Hadith #2582;Ahmad b. Hanbal in Al-Musnad 2:301 Hadith #7983; Al-Tirmidhi in al-Sunan 4:614 Hadith #2420; Abu Ya’la in al-Musnad 11:395 Hadith #6513;al-Bayhaqi in Al-Sunan Al-Kubra 6:93 , Hadith #11285}
According to Ahmad,“The hornless sheep will ram the horned sheep.”
Abusing Sheep for the sake of amusement.
Once Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) passed by some people who were using a sheep for archery practice.
He detested that and said ,‘Do not mutilate animals.’
{Reported by Al-Nasai in Al-sunan: Bk. of the Sacrificial Animals,Ch. Prohibition of siezing animals for targetting, 7:238 Hadith #4440; Sunan Al-Kubra 3:72 Hadith #4529;Abu Yala in Al-Musnad 12:162 Hadith #679; Ibn Asakir in Tarikh Al-Damashq , 59:244;Al-Ayni in Umdat al-Qari 21:125}
Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu anhu) said , “Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) forbade instigating fights between animals.”
{Sunan Abu Dawud , Kitab Al-Jihad , 3:26 Hadith #2562; Sunan Al-Tirmidhi,Kitab al-Jihad 4:210 , Hadith #1708; Musnad Abu-Yala 4:389 , Hadith #2509;al-Tabarani in Al-Muj’am Al-Kabir , 11:85 Hadith #11123;Al- Bayhaqi in Sunan al-Kubra 10:22 Hadith #19567 and Shu’ab al-Iman 5:246 , Hadith #6539}
Incident of Hazrat Musa(AS) and the lamb
Once Hazrat Mûsa (AS)’s lamb ran away from the flock. Mûsa (AS) ran behind it for miles in order to catch it, and in the process hurt his feet over thorns till they were bleeding.The same thing also happened to the lamb, until it finally stood at one place, breathing heavily, unable to run any more.
Hazrat Mûsa (AS) caught the tired little animal and instead of being angry at it, tears flowed out of his eyes as he consoled the animal saying: “O sheep, if you did not feel sorry for Mûsa, at least you should have pitied yourself. Why did you put yourself into so much trouble?”
Before removing the thorns from his own feet, Hazrat Mûsa (AS) first removed the thorns from the sheep, then rubbed and pressed its legs, lifted it up onto his shoulders and carried it back to its flock.
Imâm Fakhruddin Râzi (RA) writes that the malâika (angels) said to Allâh,“O Allâh! this person is worthy of becoming a Prophet because of his qualities of tolerance and patience . O Allâh! do make him a Prophet.”
Allâh Ta’âla replied: “I have already chosen him to be my Prophet.”
Those from whom Allâh has destined high stages, He imbues them with noble qualities and strength of tolerance.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) :: The Merciful written by Shaykh Ul Islam Dr. Tahir ul Qadri and Tafseer Razi
