Islam is a beautiful religion that talks about equality, peace and compassion. Most of the Islamic texts are written in Persian, an extremely rich language and the ground for some of the finest and deepest prose and poetry which has a profound impact on the being. History boasts of deep thinkers and philosophers like Bukhari, Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Al-Ghazhali and others.
The Quran talks about compassion towards all beings. “There is not an animal on the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you.” (Quran, 6.38–sura ‘Al-An’am,’ or ‘Cattle’) Imam Hazzrat Ali in his book Nahjul Balaga directs Muslims not to make their stomach a graveyard of innocent animals and birds. Ferdowsi in the famous Shah-nameh highlighted the importance of cow in the form of Barmayeh who became the wet nurse of Fereydun, raised him to become a fearsome warrior who avenged the killing of this magical cow as well as his father, by executing Zahhak and assuming the throne. Ghazali in his Ihya Ulum-id-din observed that beef creates diseases, milk has got cure and clarified butter has medicinal effect. The noted Hadith scholar Tabarani resonates this thought in Al Jami. More recently, Maulvi Mohammad Ismail wrote a poem that was taught in primary schools till 1960s, and it expressed gratefulness to Lord for creating a being as benevolent as the cow.
Unfortunately, such philosophers and thinkers seem to have vanished or at least become a rare breed, particularly in India. While nations like Iran have taken into account Islamic tenets and put a complete ban of slaughter of cows, in our own nation the Hadith and Quran are openly flouted.
According to Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 104, Prophet Muhammad was asked by his companions if kindness to animals was rewarded in the life hereafter. He replied: “Yes, there is a meritorious reward for kindness to every living creature.” Vedas, too, echo the same thought. Cow is called Dhenu in the Vedas. Atharvaved (11.1.34) states dhenu sadanam rayeenaam, that is, cow is the fountainhead of all bounties. Cow is indeed the source of nourishment of creation; its milk and derivatives–ghee, curd, butter, etc.—form an important dietary component for humans; the dung is a fuel and natural fertiliser, it also protects against radiation; the urine acts as a natural pesticide and has medicinal uses. It is an intelligent being and the karmic implications of causing hurt to it are severe, and the karmic benefits of serving it are also manifold. Various cultures describe the benefits of preserving and serving this animal. It is said that if you regularly feed cows and they lick your head, your hidden mental abilities fructify—for Kabir, his poetic abilities manifested only once he was licked by a cow on his head.
In India, cow has been revered and protected by Hindus and Muslims alike through history. Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar narrates the Messenger of Allah said: “It is necessary upon a Muslim to listen to and obey the ruler, as long as one is not ordered to carry out a sin.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, No. 2796) Babar instructed Humayun not to kill cows. Fatwa-e-humayuni states, “Slaughter of cow is not a law in Islam.” There existed mutual respect and admiration among both religions which was disrupted by colonial rulers. There is an urgent need of togetherness among Hindus and Muslims by removing doubts about religion. Let protection of cow be the common denominator as both religions talk about it. Both agree its milk is nectar and its meat death, which is also medically proven. High amounts of coagulants are found in cow meat that thicken the blood hampering normal functioning and leading to cardiovascular diseases.
All faiths emphasise upon the law of karma (action and reaction). One can only imagine what we are calling upon ourselves by abusing the cow that nourishes and nurtures us. The effects on our bodies are immediate, the effects on our lives would take a few years to manifest, the pain that human civilisation is going through today possibly is the effect of this cause.
Yogi Ashwini is the spiritual head of Dhyan Ashram. Email: dhyan@dhyanfoundation.com