and to meet their needs, it is better than its dying a death from which no one benefits. Human beings are more perfect than animals, and their welfare cannot be fully secured without using animals for food, riding, and similar purposes. Allah has, however, forbidden inflicting needless suffering upon animals, such as restraining them as live targets or slaughtering them anywhere other than the throat or the base of the neck when slaughtering them there is possible. In the killing and slaughter He has permitted, Allah has required kindness to the extent possible.

Thus, Sahīh Muslim records from Shaddād ibn Aws that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah has prescribed excellence in all things. When you kill, kill well; and when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each of you sharpen his blade and spare the animal suffering.”

In contrast to those who have renounced “desires,” even those desires which Allah and His Messenger love, there are “two groups.”

One group desires disbelief, wickedness, and disobedience—things which Allah and His Messenger dislike, along with the desire for them.

Another group desires what Allah and His Messenger have commanded, but out of personal inclination, not to worship Allah Most High. These people perform outward acts of obedience while their intentions are corrupt. Thus, the two Sahīh collections report that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked:

“O Messenger of Allah, a man fights to display his courage, another fights out of partisan zeal, and another fights to show off. Which of these is fighting in Allah’s cause?”

He replied:

“Whoever fights so that Allah’s word is supreme