Sultan of Selangor Urges Muslims to Show Kindness and Compassion to Stray Animals and Wildlife

SHAH ALAM, Aug 14 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called on Muslims to consistently practice kindness and show compassion towards all living creatures, including stray animals and wildlife.

In conjunction with today’s Friday sermon titled ‘Ihsan Terhadap Mahkluk Allah SWT’ (Compassion Towards Allah SWT’s Creatures) delivered across mosques in Selangor, His Royal Highness urged the public to deeply reflect upon and internalise its message.

In a statement published on the official Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, Sultan Sharafuddin emphasized that humans, as stewards of the earth, carry a sacred duty to protect, care for, and responsibly manage the natural environment—including animals, flora, hills, oceans, and rivers.

“All these are signs of the greatness of Allah SWT, and their sustainability must be protected and preserved,” His Royal Highness stated.

The Ruler noted that human interaction with other creation must always be anchored on the principles of compassion and moral duty. He highlighted that Prophet Muhammad placed immense emphasis on kindness to animals, with Islamic principles commanding believers to care for them by providing sustenance, or at the very least, avoiding any form of cruelty.

However, Sultan Sharafuddin pointed out that different considerations apply when wildlife directly threatens public safety or causes material damage to property.

“In such circumstances, Islam allows action to be taken to prevent harm, which is in line with the objectives of the Maqasid Syariah, namely protecting life and property,” the royal post explained.

The Sultan concluded that practicing compassion toward animals while taking necessary steps to safeguard human welfare are not contradictory ideals, but rather reflect the inherent beauty and balance of Islamic principles, which place all matters within their proper context.

–NMT