Recently, we are shocked with a video animation titled ‘Save Ralph’, a short film with Taika Waititi (the Oscar Winner) as the voice. This video is about a spokes bunny named Ralph who is being interviewed for a documentary as he goes through his daily routine as a “tester” in a lab. #SaveRalph is a powerful stop-motion animation short film produced by Humane Society International which promotes global campaign to ban animal testing for cosmetics.
Furthermore, #SaveRalph campaign addresses the cruelty of animal testing in a real and unexpected way, using the story of one bunny (Ralph) to emphasize on the plight of countless rabbits and other animals in laboratories around the world.
As a human being, of course we would feel pity, angry and disappointed with what is happening to Ralph which represents countless of real animals who suffer from the animal tests just to fulfil human’s greedy lust! This thing is seriously opposed to what Islam has guided in its teachings and practices.
When we talk about Islam, the first thing that comes to mind is usually peace. Islam is derived from the infinitive 'sa-la-ma,' which also serves as the root of the word salam, which means peace. Islam is a way of life that promotes peace, dignity, respect, tolerance, justice, and mercy, while also maintaining the serenity (calmness) that comes from submission to God. Mercy thus perhaps the most important of these characteristics. It is a recurring theme throughout the Qur'an.
There is one story that shows how concerned the prophet SAW is to the things that we did not know would speak, when the prophet SAW went out in expedition with his companions:
One of Prophet Muhammad’s companions narrates,
“We were on a journey and during the Prophet’s absence, we saw a bird with its two chicks; we took them. The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief. When Prophet Muhammad returned he said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its chicks? Return them to her.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Logically, during an expedition, there is a lot of more important things to be catered by the Prophet Muhammad SAW as a leader of an army because there is so much things going around. However, as the bird was hovering over the prophet SAW and his companions, the prophet SAW looked at the bird and asked the companion: “Who has harmed this one in regards to her child?
Subhanallah! There is no doubt that Allah sent down the prophet SAW as mercy to all mankind including the animals. Hence, Islam expects humankind to treat all animals physically and mentally (all living creatures such as birds, sea creatures, and insects) with respect and dignity. Prophet Muhammad continuously advised people to show kindness. He also forbade the practice of cutting tails and manes of horses, of branding animals at any soft spot, and of keeping horses saddled unnecessarily. (Saheeh Muslim)
In reality, people have different feelings for animals, many look upon animals as companions while others view animals as a means for advancing medical techniques or furthering experimental research. However, people who believe that animal testing is justified because animals are sacrificed to make products safer for human use and consumption are completely unacceptable. Animals' pain, suffering, and deaths are not worth the possible human benefits. Thus, animals should not be used in research or product testing.
I believe, making humans' life better should not be used to justify torturing and exploiting animals. The value that humans place on their own lives should be extended to animals' lives as well. Hence, animal testing should be prohibited because it violates the rights of animals, causes pain and suffering to the experimental animals, and other methods of testing product toxicity exist. Humans cannot justify torturing and executing thousands of animals each year to perform laboratory experiments or to test products in order to improve their own lives. Animals should be treated with dignity and respect, and this right is violated when animals are exploited for selfish human gain. After all, humans are animals too.
“My point is, I’m not a space bunny. I’m a tester. My daddy was a tester, my mum, my brothers, my sisters, my kids, all testers, and they all died doing their job. Like I will..”
-Ralph, a tester bunny-
So, let us stop using animal tested cosmetics products and let’s save Ralph’s bunny family!
Thank you, ‘Ralph’ for voicing out when people did not realize your voice in real life.
☹
watch Save Ralph - a short film by Taika Waititi here: https://youtu.be/G393z8s8nFY
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