72/35. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5541 — Mercy Toward Animals
Branding the faces
Hadith About Beating Animals on the Face and Animal Care
Sahih Bukhari : 5541
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5541
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّهُ كَرِهَ أَنْ تُعْلَمَ الصُّورَةُ،. وَقَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ نَهَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ تُضْرَبَ. تَابَعَهُ قُتَيْبَةُ حَدَّثَنَا الْعَنْقَزِيُّ عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ وَقَالَ تُضْرَبُ الصُّورَةُ.
Salim Narrated from:
Ibn `Umar disliked the branding of animals on the face. Ibn `Umar said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade beating (animals) on the face."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5541In-book reference : Book 72, Hadith 66USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 67, Hadith 449
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5541
This Hadith teaches mercy toward animals in a direct way. Ibn Umar disliked branding animals on the face, and he reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade beating animals on the face. The message is easy to understand: animals should not be harmed in sensitive places. The face is not treated as a place for harsh action. This Hadith about animal treatment in Islam shows that care and restraint are part of Muslim conduct, even when dealing with animals. It also connects animal care with everyday choices, such as how animals are marked, handled, or corrected. The teaching is simple: avoid cruelty and show respect to living creatures.
What we learn from this hadith
- Animals should not be beaten on the face.
- A Muslim should avoid harsh treatment of animals.
- Dislike of branding on the face shows care for sensitive parts of animals.
