Part One: The Jurisprudential Perspective
The Holy Quran
The Almighty says
وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ (8)
"And [He created] horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and as an adornment; and He creates what you do not know." (8)
He created horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and to serve as a source of beauty and an aesthetically pleasing sight. Furthermore, He creates—for the purpose of transportation and other uses—things of which you have no prior knowledge, so that your faith in Him and your gratitude toward Him may increase.
An Insight into the Noble Verse
1- Horses, mules, and donkeys: Have you noticed how God—Blessed and Exalted is He—grouped the members of this specific animal family (the equine family) together in a single verse? This serves as an indication of the excellence of the Quranic classification—a classification revealed 1,446 years ago.
2- "That you may ride them
This is the primary purpose.
3- "And as an adornment"
Shortly, you will see that the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted the ownership of horses as a form of prestige and aesthetic pleasure, without objecting to those who kept them. Today, many people—both in the East and the West—own horses as a form of adornment, driven by a passion for raising purebred steeds.
4- "And He creates what you do not know"
We all understand this to encompass bicycles, automobiles, elevators—especially those capable of ascending into space—spacecraft, and more. Had the Quran not mentioned this aspect, we might have been so overwhelmed by the shocks of technological advancement that we would have suffered from something akin to post-traumatic stress.
The Almighty says
﴿ مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا ۚ بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾ سورة الجمعة
"The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah, yet failed to uphold it, is like that of a donkey carrying volumes [of books]. How wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah! And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people." (Surah Al-Jumu'ah)
Allah presents a parable regarding the Jews who were given the Torah and tasked with acting upon the commands and guidance contained within it; yet, despite their knowledge of it, they failed to fulfill their obligations toward it or put its teachings into practice. He likens them to a donkey carrying many books (*asfar*) upon its back—an animal that neither understands their contents nor derives any benefit from the knowledge they hold.
From this noble verse, we learn the following
1- The verse informs us that the Children of Israel failed to benefit from the scripture they possessed (the Torah) by adopting its rulings and acting upon them. Their situation is likened to that of a donkey carrying a heavy load of books—books it can neither read nor comprehend.
2- Furthermore, the Almighty—Blessed and Exalted is He—tells us that the worst among people are those who emulate the behavior of the Children of Israel: carrying the scripture merely for the sake of seeking a blessing, or transporting it from place to place, while failing to implement its laws.
3- Such an individual is described as a "wrongdoer" (*zalim*)—one who may be wronging himself or others. After all, divine scriptures were revealed for the purpose of adjudicating between people, as well as establishing personal precepts that govern the relationship between a servant and their Lord alone.
2- The Noble Hadiths
A hadith narrated by Asma, who said: "During the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), we slaughtered a horse and ate it." This is supported by the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade the consumption of the meat of domestic donkeys on the day of Khaybar, while permitting the consumption of horse meat.
Eating the meat of donkeys (a subject with differing opinions)
The first hadith:
"The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade the consumption of the meat of domestic donkeys."
The Malikis, in a different view,
have argued that the meat of domestic donkeys may be eaten, though it is considered *makruh tanzihi* (disliked, but not sinful)
The view that the meat of a wild donkey (onager) is *halal* (permissible)
It is narrated from ‘Amr ibn Umayyah—may Allah be pleased with him—that: "Al-Sa‘b ibn Jaththamah gifted the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) the hindquarters of a wild donkey while he was at al-Juhfah; the Prophet ate from it, and those with him also ate from it."
The view that the meat of a mule is *haram* (prohibited): (A mule is the offspring of a horse and a donkey)
Animals that are the product of a cross between an animal whose meat is permissible to eat and an animal whose meat is prohibited are considered *haram*—such as the mule, which is the offspring of a female horse and a donkey. Some scholars have argued that the offspring follows the status of its mother.
Drinking Donkey Milk
In *al-Ādāb*, Ibn Muflih states that, according to a narration by Hanbal regarding donkey milk, it should not be consumed—not even out of necessity. Ibn Mansur and others also reported that when asked about a patient who had been prescribed a medicine to be taken with donkey milk, [Ahmad ibn Hanbal] advised against it. Furthermore, Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah, citing his chain of narration, records that al-Hasan was asked about donkey milk and replied, "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prohibited both their meat and their milk."
Using Donkey Milk for Medicinal Purposes or Consumption
The First Hadith
In *Mawahib al-Jalil*, al-Hattab cites Ibn Rushd, who reports from Malik that there is no harm in using donkey milk for medical treatment, taking into account the difference of opinion regarding the permissibility of consuming the animal itself. Ibn Habib attributes this view to Malik, Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, al-Qasim, and 'Ata'; he also mentions a narration suggesting that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) permitted its use for medical treatment. Ibn al-Mawwaz also held the view that it is permissible.
An Insight from the Noble Hadith
It is permissible to utilize donkey milk for medicinal purposes—though not for general consumption or as a primary source of nutrition. This reflects a rational perspective; indeed, in the West today, donkey milk is used extensively due to its rich nutritional content. Thus, this constitutes a Prophetic piece of guidance that remains relevant and applicable from the present day until the Day of Judgment.
The Second Hadith
Hadith 5444 in *Sahih al-Bukhari*... Abdullah ibn Muhammad narrated to us, saying: Sufyan narrated to us, from al-Zuhri, from Abu Idris al-Khawlani, from Abu Tha’labah al-Khushani (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade... [The narrator] said: I asked him, "Should we perform *wudu* (ablution) with, or drink, the milk of female donkeys?"... He replied: "Muslims used to use it as a remedy and saw no harm in doing so. As for the milk of female donkeys, it has reached us that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade the consumption of their meat, but no instruction—neither a prohibition nor a permission—has reached us regarding their milk..."
Consider the scientific evidence
Some health benefits of donkey milk
Lower risk of allergies
One of the benefits of donkey milk is its similarity to human milk; it is considered a better alternative to breast milk than cow's milk. It has been used to nourish infants for centuries.
Donkey milk is also less allergenic than cow's milk
The people who cannot tolerate cow's milk—whether due to an allergy or lactose intolerance—can often consume donkey milk without any issues.
The Antimicrobial properties
The donkey milk typically does not contain the foodborne pathogens that might be found in other types of milk. This means it has a longer shelf life before it begins to spoil.
Also, Benefits in
Whooping cough
Benefits for the immune system
Anti-diabetic
Donkey Milk in Cosmetics
The story of Cleopatra and her donkey-milk baths may well be an ancient urban legend. However, there is evidence to suggest that donkey milk is beneficial for the skin. It is used in various cosmetic and skincare products due to its content of vitamins, proteins, and fatty acids, which help moisturize and soften the skin. Historically associated with accounts of Cleopatra’s skincare regimen, donkey milk is still incorporated today into certain creams, soaps, and cosmetic masks.
The Key Benefits Attributed to Its Use in Cosmetics
Moisturizing the skin and helping to reduce dryness
Soothing sensitive or irritated skin, thanks to its hydrating and calming properties.
Promoting skin softness and improving its overall appearance, owing to its content of vitamins (such as A, C, and E) and various proteins.
Sometimes marketed as an anti-aging ingredient; however, the actual results depend on the product's complete formulation, not solely on the presence of donkey milk.
An Important Notes
It is not a medical treatment for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or acne, and it cannot replace specialized dermatological care.
Individuals with an allergy to milk proteins should first test the product on a small area of skin or consult a dermatologist.
Donkey milk is most commonly found in products such as soaps, face and body creams, gentle cleansers, and moisturizing masks.
The Drawbacks of Consuming Donkey Meat
The scientific research and analysis have now established the harmful effects of consuming donkey meat. Although donkey meat may be of higher quality than horse meat, it contains certain components that could potentially lead to the development of tumors and cancer.
Below are five specific drawbacks associated with donkey meat:
In many cases, donkey meat is not easily processed by the human body. Here are some further reasons why:
1. Donkey Meat Is Acidic
The standard North American diet contains a high proportion of acidic foods, including donkey meat. Such food is difficult for the body to digest and break down, forcing the kidneys to work harder and resulting in an excess of acid within the body. Beyond weakening the immune system, an overabundance of acid can also promote the development of chronic diseases. Another factor to consider is how donkey meat is typically consumed: it is often fried, overcooked, and served without green vegetables. Consequently, not only is acidity generated within the body, but it also remains unneutralized.
2. Donkey meat contains palmitic acid
According to research conducted by Dr. Paolo Polidori, Dr. Clarita Cavallucci, Dr. Silvia Vincenzetti, and Dr. Daniela Beghelli from the University of Camerino in Italy, donkey meat contains palmitic acid. Researchers have found that palmitic acid can significantly raise levels of "bad" cholesterol. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that palmitic acid increases bad cholesterol levels more than other saturated fats, such as stearic acid. See the research conducted by the World Health Organization.
3. Donkey meat contains toxins
Donkey meat absorbs toxins like a sponge. Excessive amounts of toxins accumulate in the bodies of donkeys due to the fat that makes up a large part of their biological composition. Consequently, consuming donkey meat—which is laden with toxins—passes these substances on to subsequent generations, eventually finding their way into our food supply.
4. Donkey meat causes cancer and osteoporosis
Consuming large quantities of donkey meat also contributes to other debilitating health conditions, including osteoporosis and cancer. Contrary to popular belief, excessive protein intake is not healthy for the body. Furthermore, the consumption of donkey meat can lead to the accumulation of significant fatty deposits in the body. This, in turn, can result in the formation of plaques, which may cause the calcification of bones and tissues, leading to long-term health issues such as heart disease.
5. Donkeys are fed poor-quality fodder
Most donkeys raised using traditional methods are fed fodder from the bottom of a container—a practice that is entirely unnatural for them. Consequently, these donkeys suffer not only from a lack of well-being on multiple levels but also from physiological impairment. Due to this unnatural diet, many lack the essential nutrients required for good health. This not only affects the animals' own health but, ultimately, also impacts those who consume their meat. Such feed is not part of the natural, original diet that donkeys would consume in the wild.
3. Producing daily-care soap from donkey milk
Donkey milk soap is crafted using fresh, organic, chilled donkey milk, which is added after the saponification process to preserve its beneficial and regenerative properties. Free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, it is excellent for sensitive skin. The inclusion of fresh, organic donkey milk imparts unique qualities and benefits to the soap; it is gentle, non-irritating, and suitable for all skin types. Donkey milk contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, and proteins, all of which offer numerous benefits for the skin.
Some claim that donkeys are intelligent animals; is this true?
How intelligent are donkeys? Everything we know about their intelligence: Memory
1- Donkeys (*Equus asinus*) are considered intelligent animals
They are renowned for their remarkable memory, being capable of remembering people, places, and situations. This ability to recall information helps them navigate their environment and form relationships.
2- They perform tasks such as carrying loads and pulling carts
And are utilized in agricultural work and mining operations. Donkeys have been trained to navigate through dark mines and have proven invaluable during rescue operations.
3- Donkeys learn easily and adapt well to new tasks, routines, and commands.
A donkey’s heightened sensitivity to danger—such as the presence of toxic gases or structural instability in a mine—makes them useful as early-warning systems. They may exhibit signs of distress or unease before humans become aware of potential hazards. In the wild, donkeys demonstrate a heightened awareness of potential threats; they employ their problem-solving skills to escape predators or dangerous situations by identifying exits or places to hide.
The Role of Donkeys in Disaster Recovery
The role of working donkeys in disaster recovery and strengthening community resilience
This project explores the often-overlooked role of donkeys and mules in settings affected by disasters, conflicts, and crises. It provides various examples of how donkeys support vulnerable populations during times of crisis—including war and conflict, drought and climate change, and natural disasters. Despite this, the contributions of donkeys are rarely acknowledged in academic research, media reports, or international policy. The project includes a field investigation into the role of mules in post-disaster recovery efforts, specifically following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.
The Role of Donkeys in Mitigating Climate Change
The research has taken a critical turn, revealing a strong link between climate change and zoonotic diseases. This suggests that the resulting implications must be considered when developing national policies concerning animal health and human public health. The increasing interaction between humans and animals has become a pivotal factor that requires continuous monitoring and oversight. While many countries have made significant progress, others remain in a precarious situation.
The Causal Links Between
The zoonotic Disease Outbreaks, Epidemic Crises, and Climate Change
The governments should recognize the valuable contribution that working animals make toward alleviating poverty, ending hunger, preventing disease transmission, and managing environmental crises. Climate change adaptation and mitigation plans should incorporate provisions for the health, welfare, and protection of working animals—measures that, in turn, will enhance the security and safety of human communities. A collective, multifaceted, and effective approach to addressing critical issues such as climate change and health crises is vital for the sustainability of the planet and all its inhabitants; helping animals means helping people.
The Key Takeaways
1. Donkeys are intelligent animals—contrary to the common misconception that they are "stupid." A word of advice: never underestimate or belittle anyone; it may simply be that your own knowledge is limited.
2. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) established different rulings regarding the meat of donkeys versus their milk. Who, then, taught the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) this distinction, given that it concerns the very same animal?
3- The role of donkeys during times of crisis and disaster recovery extends beyond merely carrying burdens; they also offer therapeutic benefits—much like horses and other domesticated animals. God, the Exalted, did not create these animals solely for the purpose of being beasts of burden; rather, their potential for providing therapy to humans should be actively utilized, especially in the wake of crises such as wars or natural disasters.