By Alhaji Mohamed Wusha Conteh 30th September 2013 updated 20:00
The Iranian Cultural Consul to Sierra Leone Mr. Reza Ghezla Soufla has briefed journalist in a press conference organized at his Rawdon Street office that the 1st October is usually set aside as International Solidarity Day for the Palestinian youths and children. According to him the day was set aside to reflect on the sufferings and agony the Palestinian youths and children are going through in the hands of the Zionist Regime. He reiterated that as Muslims it is incumbent on us to be in solidarity with our brother Muslim as commanded by the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he said “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself."
Mr. Reza Ghezla Soufla cited several hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) to emphasized the kindness the Holy Prophet teaches to Animals before talking about fellow human being. He said according to Abu Hurayra "The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) forbade making animals suffer." [Bukhari] and in another narration the Prophet said, "A man saw a dog eating mud from (the severity of) thirst. So, that man took a shoe (and filled it) with water and kept on pouring the water for the dog till it quenched its thirst. So Allah approved of his deed and made him to enter Paradise."
Mr. Reza Ghezla Soufla categorically stated that Islam goes beyond any expectations and demands that the psyche of the animal be taken into consideration the Prophet Muhammad [S.A.W] made it imperative to sharpen the blades and to hide it from the sight of other animals. Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reported that once a man laid down a sheep whilst still sharpening his blade; the Prophet [S.A.W] saw and asked: "Would like to it to die twice? Why didn't you sharpen your blade before laying it down?" (Al-Hakim)
Mr. Reza Ghezla Soufla reiterated that Islam has enjoined upon Muslims the correct relationship with animals. They are asked to treat animals well, and they are not allowed to kill animals except for food. The latter permission has to be carried out in accordance with the shari'ah (Islamic law-code). Only in limited cases some animals are allowed to be killed when they endanger the life of the human. He opined that Animals are like humans: “A good deed done to an animal is like a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as cruelty to a human being."
The Iranian Cultural Consul said a woman was once punished after death because of a cat which she had kept confined until it died, and because of this she entered the Fire. She had neither given it food or drink while confining it, nor had she let it free to eat the creatures of the earth." (Muslim). He quoted (Quran 55:10) which reads "And the earth, He has assigned it to all living creatures.
Mr. Reza Ghezla Soufla ended his statement by praying that all will come together to advocate an end to the sufferings the Palestinian people are going through in the hands of the Zionist regime and condemned the rampant killing that is going on in the name of the religion in the world which is contrary to the teaching of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessing be upon him.
