Ramadan: The Best Time to Teach Children to Love Animals

Editorial Team

Unsplash / Ashraful Islam

Ramadan is not only about refraining from food and drink. For children, Ramadan is a school of life. During this month, they learn patience, learn to share, and just as importantly… learn empathy.

And that empathy can be expanded — not only toward humans, but also toward animals.

When Children Feel Hungry, Empathy Is Growing

When a child says,
“Mom… I’m really hungry…”

That is a golden moment.

Try gently guiding them to think:

“If we feel hungry like this, how do you think a cat outside feels when it doesn’t have a regular meal?”

Simple questions like this help children connect their personal experience with the lives of other creatures. From there, compassion grows naturally.

Allah says:
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to all the worlds.” (QS. Al-Anbiya: 107)

All the worlds. That includes animals.

Islam Teaches Compassion Toward Animals 

In Islamic history, we know Abu Hurairah, a companion of the Prophet who loved cats dearly. His name even means “Father of the Little Kittens.”

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:

“Show mercy to those on the earth, and the One in the heavens will show mercy to you.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi)

The message is simple yet profound: compassion has no boundaries.

Feeding a cat.
Providing water for birds.
Not disturbing animals while they sleep.

All of these can be acts of worship.

Practical Ideas During Ramadan

So that these lessons do not remain only as theory, parents can invite children to do small but meaningful actions:

– Put a bowl of drinking water in front of the house for passing animals.
– Remind children of the feeding schedule for pets before iftar.
– Clean the animal’s cage as part of responsibility.
– Encourage children to donate food for animals.

In this way, children learn that compassion is active — it requires real actions.

Sharpening the Heart, Not Just Restraining the Body

Fasting is not only a physical exercise, but also a training of the heart.

Children who learn to care for animals often become:

– Gentler in their actions

– More responsible

– More sensitive to the suffering of other living beings

And this is the essence of Ramadan — softening the heart.

Imagine if from an early age children understand that:

Giving water to animals is charity.
Caring for animals is responsibility.
Loving animals is part of faith.

Ramadan can be the starting point.

Because when children grow with hearts full of compassion, they do not only become obedient children… they also become empathetic human beings.