Cursing animals

Q: I heard a person cursing his ram because it gave him hard time when it did not want to move. What is the ruling on cursing animals? I heard that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) heard a person cursing his camel and told him not to ride it because it was unlawful for him to ride. Is the owner of the said ram allowed to eat from its meat or would it be unlawful for him?

A: Firstly, the stated Hadith is a Hadith Sahih (a Hadith that has been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish), which was related by Muslim. (Part No. 26; Page No. 73) The incident took place when a woman - not a man - cursed her she-camel. So, it was a she-camel, not a male camel as mentioned in the question. Secondly, any Muslim should not curse other Muslims, animals, or other possessions, because cursing is obscene language which is not appropriate to be used by Muslims. Thirdly, it is not Haram (prohibited) for a person who curses their domesticated animals to eat from their meat, because the basic rule is permissibility. Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not prohibit the owner of the she-camel from eating it; he only ordered her to leave the cursed camel behind and find another one to carry the loads and accompany the caravan of the Messenger (peace be upon him) as a way of rebuking her and the likes of her by incurring a financial punishment.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.