37/29. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2116a — Animal Care: No Striking the Face
The Prohibition Of Striking Or Branding Animals On The Face
Hadith About Not Hitting Animals on the Face
Sahih Muslim : 2116a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2116a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الضَّرْبِ فِي الْوَجْهِ وَعَنِ الْوَسْمِ فِي الْوَجْهِ .
Jabir Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade (the animals to be beaten) on the face or cauterisation on the face.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2116aIn-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 161USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 24, Hadith 5281
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2116a
The core topic of this Hadith is animal care. Jabir reported that Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade beating on the face and cauterisation or branding on the face. The wording protects the face from harm and marks it as a place that should not be struck or branded. The Hadith is often searched as hadith about animal cruelty, hitting animals on the face, or branding animals in Islam. Its message is simple and firm. Even when people use animals for work, travel, or ownership, they are not free to harm them however they wish. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم set a limit. The face is not a place for beating or marking. This teaches restraint, mercy, and respect in dealing with animals.
What we learn from this hadith
- Animals should not be beaten on the face.
- Animals should not be branded on the face.
- Ownership does not give a person permission to harm without limits.
- The Hadith teaches restraint in how animals are handled.
