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Branding Livestock and Riding Animals, and Their Characteristics

It is permissible to castrate sheep, unlike horses, for it is reported that “the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade the castration of horses.” He sacrificed two black-and-white castrated rams and did not disapprove of their castration. Sheep are kept for food, and castration does not prevent their use for this purpose; rather, it improves their meat and makes it more palatable. Horses, however, are kept for riding and jihad, and castration diminishes their strength, weakens them, and prevents them from breeding. This is the distinction between the two.

It is disliked to brand any animal on the face, but there is no harm in branding their bodies, since people need identifying marks by which to recognize their livestock and riding animals. As for sheep, a concession permits branding their ears, since branding their bodies is impracticable: their wool would conceal the mark.

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “forbade branding on the face.” It is also reported that “a donkey branded on its face passed by him, and he condemned this.” ʿAbd al-Wahhāb related this in al-Maʿūnah. In Sahīh Muslim, Ibn ʿAbbās is reported to have said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saw a donkey branded on its face and disapproved of it.” Ibn ʿAbbās said: “By Allah, I will never brand any part of the face.” He then ordered that a donkey of his be branded on both sides of its rump. He was thus among the first to brand animals in these places. Success comes from Allah.

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Dreams and Nightmares

Anyone who sees something distressing in a dream should, upon waking, spit lightly to his left three times, seek refuge with Allah, Mighty and Majestic, from the evil of what he has seen, and turn onto his other side, for if he does so