Ethical Rights of Animals in Islam

The Islamic tradition includes teachings on animal rights, including the rights of quadrupeds, birds, and insects, which the Muslims are required to observe. According to these teachings, those who violate these rights and behave aggressively towards animals will be held responsible before their Creator and will face the consequences of their wrong actions. This article is an attempt to study the ethical rights of animals in the Quran and jurisprudential traditions and to show the roles of these two sources in emphasizing the ethical rights of animals. The findings of the research indicate that the ethical rights of animals in the Quran and jurisprudential traditions encompass different aspects of their existence, including but not limited to the right to life, nutrition, health, and reproduction.