Is Spending Money on Animals Considered Sadaqah, and Is Its Reward Like Helping Humans?
Question
I’ve heard that showing kindness to animals is rewarded in Islam, so would giving money to rescue or care for animals be considered sadaqah in the same way as helping people? And is the reward the same as giving sadaqah to help humans?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
1. The Shari Context
Islam strongly encourages mercy toward animals and considers kindness to them a source of reward.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“In every living being with a moist liver there is reward.”
Sahih al Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
And he ﷺ told the story of a man who gave water to a thirsty dog, after which:
“Allah thanked him and forgave him.”
Sahih al Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
Likewise, the Prophet ﷺ informed us of a woman punished for abusing a cat by imprisoning it without feeding it.
This shows that treatment of animals is a serious moral matter in Islam.
2. Scholarly Discussion
The scholars explain that:
- Spending money to feed, rescue, shelter, or treat animals is considered a form of sadaqah and mercy
- Reward is given according to:
- Intention
- Benefit
- Level of need fulfilled
However, they also distinguish between:
- Human needs, especially:
- Poverty
- Hunger
- Illness
- Religious obligations
- And care for animals
Because humans are honored with greater sanctity and responsibility in the Sharia, helping needy humans is generally considered greater in reward and priority, especially when humans are in desperate need.
3. Application to the Question
So in practical terms:
- Yes, donating to animal rescue, feeding animals, or caring for them is a form of rewarded charity (sadaqah)
- A Muslim is rewarded for mercy toward animals
However:
- The reward is not necessarily equal in every case to helping humans
- Helping poor, sick, oppressed, or needy people generally carries greater virtue and priority
For example:
- Feeding a starving human is greater than feeding a healthy animal
- Supporting orphans, widows, students of knowledge, or the poor usually carries a higher level of reward
But if:
- Animals are suffering severely
- There is cruelty or neglect
- Or there are no humans in immediate need in that context
then helping animals remains a noble and rewarded act.
4. Relevant Usul Principle
تقديم الأعلى مصلحة على الأدنى
Giving priority to the greater benefit over the lesser benefit
This principle means that when multiple good deeds exist, the one with greater benefit and sanctity is prioritized. Since human life and welfare hold a higher rank in the Sharia, helping humans is generally given precedence over animals, while still recognizing the virtue of mercy toward animals.
Final Ruling
Caring for animals and spending money on their rescue or treatment is a rewarded form of sadaqah in Islam. However, helping needy humans is generally greater in reward and priority due to the higher sanctity and responsibilities associated with human life. Both are acts of mercy beloved to Allah.
And Allah knows best.