What is the Ruling on Hitting Animals?

All praises be to Allah, there is no doubt that an animal has a soul and has feelings; it aches. And it is painful and difficult for it to do that which exceeds its capabilities. So, it’s not permissible for a Muslim to burden an animal with what it can’t endure, whether that which it carries, a road it can’t travel, or other things which are difficult for it. As for hitting it, it is permissible when needed, provided that it is not severe. It is established that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the Hadeeth of Jabir in the story of his camel, that the Messenger ﷺ followed him, and he hit the camel. So, fundamentally, hitting an animal is allowed if it’s for a necessity and not severe. And the evidence for that from the Sunnah is the Hadeeth of Jabir. However, if it is done unnecessarily, it is severe beating, or it is a beating that leads the animal to something that is difficult for it, then it is not permissible.