The Innocent Sparrow Facing the Threat of Extincti...

Summary

• People do not consider the nefarious business of buying and selling innocent sparrows under the guise of charity and alms as objectionable at all, and despite strict action, they do not refrain from this heinous act.
• We will respect the freedom and life of these innocent sparrows, and build a society where charity truly becomes mercy and not torment for someone.
• We will respect the freedom and life of these innocent sparrows, and build a society where charity truly becomes mercy and not torment for someone.

AI Generated Summary

ByMirza Muhammad Ramzan

Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Publicity, Lahore

 In our world, mercy, love and compassion have always been considered supreme values. Charity and alms-giving is also a beautiful form of these values, whose purpose is to help the needy and show kindness to God’s creation. But it has to be said with regret that sometimes this very noble act, due to ignorance, tradition or misunderstanding, takes the form of cruelty. The killing of innocent house sparrows in the name of charity and alms is a painful example of this cruelty. People do not consider the nefarious business of buying and selling innocent sparrows under the guise of charity and alms as objectionable at all, and despite strict action, they do not refrain from this heinous act.

In our society, charity and alms are considered the best means of gaining piety, sympathy and the pleasure of Allah. But sadly, some people have turned this sacred sentiment into a cruel business for their own interests. Catching innocent house sparrows and selling them, and then selling them in the name of charity to be slaughtered or freed, so that profit can be made from buyers who come in the name of charity.

In markets, such scenes are often seen where these small sparrows are sitting in cages, frightened and in a weak condition. People buy them with the intention that they will get reward by freeing them, or in some cases slaughter them to give charity. But the question is, are we really doing a good deed or are we unknowingly promoting this cruel business?

The reality is that as long as the buying and selling of these sparrows continues, their trapping will also continue. Every person among us who buys such a sparrow, no matter how good the intention, actually strengthens this business. Thus, in the name of virtue, a chain continues whose end is only the suffering and death of these innocent birds.

This issue is not only ethical but also environmental. House sparrows are an important part of our ecosystem. A decline in their numbers can upset the balance of insects and affect the natural environment. Apart from this, it also has a negative effect on children’s minds when they see that a weak creature is being caged and sold for money.

Now the time has come for us to understand our responsibility. We have to create awareness that true virtue cannot be a cause of suffering for a voiceless creature. There are countless better ways of charity and alms – feeding a poor person, helping a sick person, planting a tree, or keeping water and grain for birds.

We should boycott such businesses. Instead of buying sparrows, we should make people aware of its harms. Educational institutions, mosques and the media also have to play a role in this regard so that correct awareness is created among the public.