Is it permissible to burden an animal beyond its capacity?

Chapter on Maintenance of Slaves

Al-Mughni

Book of Maintenance (Nafaqāt)

Book 46 · Issue 4 · Bab 4

Open in Qurani

Primary text

It is not permissible to burden an animal with what it cannot bear because it is analogous to a slave, and the Prophet (PBUH) forbade tasking a slave beyond their capacity. Furthermore, doing so involves tormenting an animal which inherently possesses sanctity, and causing it harm is not permissible.