In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
"By the racers, panting,
And the producers of sparks [when] striking,
And the chargers at dawn,
Stirring up thereby [clouds of] dust,
Arriving thereby in the center collectively—
Indeed mankind, to his Lord, is ungrateful."
(Quran 100:1–6)
The Lord of all creation, swears by the horse in Surat Adiyat. These verses paint a vivid picture of strength, speed, courage, and unwavering loyalty. The horse charges forward despite exhaustion, obeying its rider even in the midst of danger. Allah the Most High highlights these noble qualities before turning our attention to a painful contrast: the horse faithfully serves its master, human beings are often ungrateful to their Lord.
This divine oath reveals the special place horses occupy within Allah's creation. They are not merely animals of transport or war; they are symbols of devotion, endurance, and nobility. It is therefore fitting that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, spoke of horses with affection, honored them, and taught his followers to treat them with mercy.
The Quran repeatedly mentions horses as one of Allah's favors. Allah Most High says:
"And He created the horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and as adornment." (Quran 16:8)
Notice that Allah Almighty describes horses not only as a means of transportation but also as an adornment—a source of beauty and dignity. Their strength, grace, and majestic presence are signs of the Creator's artistry.
The Prophet Muhammad, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, recognized this blessing and encouraged appreciation for horses, saying: "Goodness is tied to the forelocks of horses until the Day of Resurrection."
This statement reflects the honor Allah Most High has placed upon them. Horses have accompanied humanity through journeys, service, and sacrifice, and their noble qualities continue to be a source of benefit.
In many societies, strength is often confused with harshness. Powerful animals are frequently driven beyond their limits or treated as mere tools. The Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, rejected this mindset. Although horses played an important role in travel and defense during his time, he consistently taught that animals are creatures of Allah Almighty and deserve compassion. He warned against causing unnecessary suffering and reminded believers that mercy extends beyond human beings.
The Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, said: "Whoever is merciful even to a sparrow, Allah will be merciful to him on the Day of Resurrection."
The Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, understood the physical and emotional needs of animals. He forbade practices that inflicted pain or humiliation and encouraged proper care. Horses were not to be neglected, starved, overworked, or treated as lifeless equipment.
Islam teaches that every creature glorifies Allah Most High in its own way. The horse that runs, serves, and carries burdens is not an object; it is a living creation entrusted to human care.
This perspective transformed the relationship between people and animals. Ownership became stewardship. Power became responsibility. Strength became balanced with mercy.
Allah's Messenger, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, not only spoke about the virtues of horses, but also demonstrated affection and care toward them. Among his horses was a famous horse named Sakb, known for its speed. The Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, valued his horses and took an active interest in their well-being. He did not view them merely as tools of transport or battle, but as living creatures entrusted to human care.
In one narration the Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, encouraged horse owners to provide for their animals generously and described caring for horses for a noble purpose as a source of ongoing reward. He taught that feeding, watering, and maintaining them could become acts of worship when done sincerely for the sake of Allah.
His appreciation for horses was also evident in the way he recognized and praised their qualities. One of the companions, Abu Talhah Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, owned a horse known as Mandub. When news spread that enemy forces were approaching Madinah, the Prophet, may Allah send peace be upon him, immediately borrowed his horse and rode out alone to investigate. After returning, he reassured the people and praised the horse, saying, "We found it to be like the sea." This meant that it was swift, powerful, and expansive in its gallop. The narration reflects the Prophet's familiarity with horses and his appreciation for their strength and reliability. He noticed their qualities, cared for them, and praised them when praise was due, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him.
The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, likewise understood that care for animals was part of a believer's moral responsibility. A famous incident involving Umar ibn Khattab may Allah be pleased with him, illustrates the seriousness with which they approached such matters. Umar once purchased a horse for use in the path of Allah. Later, the horse became injured, and its owner offered to buy it back at a reduced price. He consulted the Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, who advised him not to take it back, teaching an important lesson about sincerity and detachment from what has been dedicated for Allah's sake.
The narration also reminds us that even when a horse lost some of its value through injury, it was not viewed as a disposable possession. Its condition and treatment remained matters worthy of concern and ethical conduct. The early Muslims often regarded the condition of a person's horse as a reflection of that person's character. A well-cared-for horse testified to gratitude, responsibility, and mercy, while neglect revealed a failure in stewardship.
For this reason the Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, encouraged believers to excel in kindness toward all creatures. Mentioned in the Quran by Allah and honored by His Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, the horse became a living example of the balance Islam teaches: power joined with compassion, strength restrained by mercy, and service met with gratitude.
The opening verses celebrate the horse's courage and loyalty. Yet the lesson is not only about the horse: it is also about us. Allah presents the horse as a model of faithful service before exposing humanity's tendency toward ingratitude.
The Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him demonstrated how to respond to this lesson. He admired strength but never separated it from compassion. He valued horses for their power, yet he honored them as creatures of Allah Almighty. His example teaches us that true nobility lies not in domination but in mercy.
In a world that often prizes power alone, the Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, offers a different vision: strength guided by compassion, authority restrained by mercy, and gratitude expressed through care for all of Allah's creation.
The horse charges through dust and danger with loyalty to its rider. The believer, inspired by that example, strives to show loyalty to Allah through gratitude, mercy, and excellence in all dealings—including with the animals entrusted to our care.
This is the prophetic balance: strength with mercy.
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