Uriel Soberanes via Unsplash
I have been thinking a lot lately about animal welfare and the duties and responsibilities incumbent towards other sentient creatures. This is particularly so considering the advent of hajj season, the ritual slaughter of many a sacrificial animal and the exaggerated celebratory (non-vegetarian) meals shared with family.
Having spent my childhood and most of adulthood pet-free owing to cultural conditioning and the many misplaced beliefs regarding an animal’s lack of hygiene, I developed an unhealthy fear and aversion to them.
This distance was only cemented by framing the fraternisation with animals as a religious matter. It was supposed that the contamination of one’s clothes and physical surroundings with their excrements would invalidate the prayer and have ramifications for other acts of worship. Whilst this view has some merit in regard to keeping certain pets within one’s living quarters; it does not apply to all.
A blanket mischaracterisation of the matter could serve as a missed opportunity to push back against the growing loneliness in society and deprive vulnerable individuals of the benefit of a pet’s company.
Individuals in specific need include the Autistic Muslimah who may find joy, comfort and unconditional positive regard from her furry friends not otherwise available to her from human counterparts. The impact on her psychological and emotional health cannot be underestimated and the gains to self-esteem impressive.
I can attest to the positive impact that homing cats has on mental health and confidence. Not only do they help me self-regulate and enhance my mood but they have forced me to shed outdated and inaccurate beliefs regarding animals. They have also required me to become more outward focused.
More specifically, they have made me more aware of my surroundings, the environment and what my role as a Muslim woman is regarding the conservation of the planet to ensure it remains habitable for all denizens of our ecosystem.
An additional spiritual benefit I had not envisioned when adopting Udon and Pistachio is that my love for them would spur a more transcendent love of others. Flailing in the trenches with these kittens and navigating illness, fear and the inescapable drama that arise in the course of living closely with pets have been a catalyst for personal growth, stretching my humanity to include other sentient non-human beings. In this is a lesson that any child would do to learn early and an antidote to the non-belonging that Autistic Muslimahs may experience.
As such, I call on parents to encourage the interaction of children with animals and to spend more time outdoors. This may enhance their empathy toward defenceless others and foster a sense of personal responsibility to provide care to those in need.
Getting clear on the status of animals and on animal welfare from an Islamic ethical perspective may also foster a God-conscious attitude and nip any cognitive distortions from developing in the bud. At least, this way they will not be deprived of an accessible, healthful and halal source of pleasure. They may also find another avenue that continues to invite Allah’s mercy into their lives.
To my neurokin, pet ownership is a big step (and an expensive one) but one that has unimagined rewards. This could be the missing piece in your self-care toolkit.
Comments