The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "A woman was tormented because of a cat, which she had confined and starved until it died. She did not allow it to eat or drink while it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the insects of the earth. As a result of her evilness, she was condemned to Hell."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

(104) On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "A man walking along a path felt very thirsty. Reaching a well he descended into it, drank water to his fill and came out, then he saw a dog with its tongue hanging out, trying to lick up mud to quench its thirst. The man said to himself that the dog was feeling the same extreme thirst at he had felt a little while ago. So he descended once more into the well, filled his leather hosier with water and came up holding it by his teeth and gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated the act of this man and forgave his sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked: 'Messenger of Allah, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals as well? He said. "There is recompensation for kindness to every living thing."

(Bukhari and Muslim)

Bukhari's version concludes with:

"Allah appreciated his action and admitted him to Paradise".

(105) On the authority of Abu Y'ala Shaddad bin Aus (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah, has made it obligatory to adopt a benevolent attitude towards everything. If you have to kill any animal kill it in the kindest way. When you have to slaughter an animal, you must make it less painful for the animal you slaughter. Every one of you must get his knife sharpened to reduce the suffering of the animal to be slaughtered."

(Muslim)