Q. As a teacher I have been asked by students about certain practices in poultry farms. The birds are caged and not allowed to move freely in order to maximize the production of eggs. Is this permissible in Islam? Moreover, the male birds are removed and destroyed after a day or two of being hatched, because it is uneconomical to feed them. What does Islam say to this?
N. Ahmad
A. You need to look carefully at the conditions and practices in such farms. What is clear in Islamic principles is that it is prohibited to cause suffering to animals of any kind, except where there is danger to man, which should be removed. Here if we are speaking only about chicken being caged, we should consider their living conditions. Are they kept permanently in cages? If so, this is wrong because they will not be able to function properly. Larger birds, such as ducks and geese, are force-fed in order to quickly grow in size and provide more meat. I saw a documentary on this aspect and I have no doubt that it is a cruelty to animals, which Islam does not allow. When you see the food being forced into the body of the bird, you will be exceedingly disgusted. Killing male birds after one or two days of hatching is not permissible either. It is killing a life in order to save a trifling amount. This is wrong. The male birds could be left in a place where they can look after themselves. If they cannot, then looking after them should be considered part of the business costs. Unfortunately too many practices are driven by hard economic factors. Islam does not accept such a rigidly materialistic approach. There must be a clear element of humanity in all our actions. If we deprive ourselves of this element, we are bound to suffer adverse consequences.
Divorce and the Waiting Period
Q. After living separately from my husband for seven months we agreed to divorce and on the day when the divorce took place we went out together as friends. I would like to know how long my waiting period should be. Some people suggested that it should be only for one period, since the primary purpose of the waiting period is to ascertain whether the woman is pregnant. Can I go out during my waiting period? I will be living with my parents.
(Name and address withheld)
A. The fact that you have been living separately does not affect the duration of your waiting period. It lasts for three periods of menses or three periods of cleanliness. It is true that one of the primary purposes of the waiting period is to ascertain whether the wife is pregnant. In this case, her waiting period lasts until she delivers her baby. However, another equally important purpose is to give the couple a chance to review their situation and assess whether they can resume their married life. Hence, a divorcee continues to live in her divorcing husband’s home, but they use separate bedrooms. He is required to look after her, providing for her living needs in the same way as he provides for his wife, according to his means. She, however, is not required to do any housework, but to look after her children if she has any. Therefore, there is no problem with you going out together after the divorce had taken place. During your waiting period you can go out normally. There is no problem with that.