2. Protect animals

As Muslims we are forbidden from killing any living creature without a good reason. This belief is supported by the fact that our Prophet (~) once said: «If a human kills a bird or any higher form of creature without good reason, Allah will ask him (or her) about it.» 353 As Allah (~) says: ~@ ... fl~ ~ 'h ~4i ~ ~ -i; ~:;-;r ~ p; ~ ~_;~ ('\"'A :iL.u)il •_;r-) ~There is not a moving [living] creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but forms communities like you) (Quran 6: 38) 351 Hadith stated as such by AJ:.imed (with a good chain of narration) and mentioned in a different format by Muslim. 352 Bayhaqi. 353 Nasii'i (r.Iiikim graded it as sound). Islam views each of these natural communities as a living entity that deserves our respect, and any violation of this law of mutual respect will disturb the perfect balance of the ecosystems that Allah has made interdependent. Respect for animals is also evident in the ruling that we must show mercy to all living creatures. Allah's Messenger (~ ) said: «A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.»354