Animal care
Animal care
This is an opportunity for Muslim Scouts to appreciate the beauty of creation and to reflect on their duty to care for all of Allah creations.
You can read the story of the dog at the well together.
The story of the dog at the well
A man was walking along the road when he felt very thirsty.
He saw a well, so he went down into it, drank his fill, and then came out.
He saw a dog panting and biting the dust with thirst, and said, `This dog's thirst is as severe as mine was.'
So he went back down into the well, filled his shoes with water, held them in his mouth while he climbed out, and gave the dog water.
Allah thanked him and said all of the man’s sins were then forgiven.
They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, will we be rewarded for kindness towards animals?’
Allah said, ‘In every living creature, there is reward.’
You could also think about examples of the prophets’ care for animals:
- Prophet Noah or Nuh who protected animals from flooding.
- Prophet Sulaiman who used his ability to understand and talk to animals to protect even the smallest of insects. You could explore the story of the ants.
Reflection questions
- Why is it important to care for and protect animals?
- What would the world be like without animals?
- Can you think of any ways the prophets cared for animals?
Activities to try
Make a bird feeder
Make a bird feeder packed with delicious treats for our feathered friends.
Takes: 1 hour
Make a bird feederBuild a bug hotel
Make a bug hotel for your brilliant neighbourhood minibeasts to check into!
Takes: 3 hours
Build a bug hotelBuild a bee hotel
Welcome these crucial critters to your meeting place or garden.
Takes: 1 hour
Build a bee hotel
A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being.
Prophet Mohammad
