43/41. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4444 — The Prohibition of Animal Target Practice
Prohibition Of (Eating) An Animal, Which Ws Used As A Target
Animal Target Practice Is Forbidden in This Hadith
Sunan an-Nasai : 4444
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4444
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ الْكُوفِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ هَاشِمٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ صَالِحٍ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تَتَّخِذُوا شَيْئًا فِيهِ الرُّوحُ غَرَضًا " .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The messenger of Allah forbade us from using anything with a soul as a target. (Sahih)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4444In-book reference : Book 43, Hadith 84English translation : Vol. 5, Book 43, Hadith 4449
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4444
This narration repeats a clear prophetic prohibition: anything with a soul must not be used as a target. It is an important hadith about animal cruelty because it addresses an act that may be presented as practice or sport. The command removes that excuse. A living creature can feel fear and pain, so it must not be made to stand in place while people shoot at it. The wording also helps readers understand Islamic animal welfare in a practical way. Mercy is not only about feeding animals. It also means refusing to expose them to avoidable injury. The hadith does not add details about hunting, food, or other cases. Its direct subject is target practice, and its lesson is to keep all living beings away from such abuse.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet forbade using living beings as targets.
- Practice and sport do not make cruelty acceptable.
- Animal welfare includes protection from avoidable injury.
- The command is broad and not limited to one type of animal.
