Benefits of Cattle

Allah's statement,

وَمِنَ الأَنْعَامِ حَمُولَةً وَفَرْشًا ...

And of the cattle (are some) for burden and (some smaller) for Farsh.

means, He created cattle for you, some of which are suitable for burden, such as camels, and some are Farsh.

Ath-Thawri narrated that Abu Ishaq said that Abu Al-Ahwas said that Abdullah said that;

`animals for burden' are the camels that are used for carrying things, while, `Farsh', refers to small camels.

Al-Hakim recorded it and said, "Its chain is Sahih and they did not record it.''

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that;

`animals for burden' refers to the animals that people ride, while, `Farsh' is that they eat (its meat) and milk it. The sheep is not able to carry things, so you eat its meat and use its wool for covers and mats (or clothes).

This statement of Abdur-Rahman is sound, and the following Ayat testify to it,

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْاْ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَآ أَنْعـماً فَهُمْ لَهَا مَـلِكُونَ

وَذَلَّلْنَـهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ

Do they not see that We have created for them of what Our Hands have created, the cattle, so that they are their owners. And We have subdued them unto them so that some of them they have for riding and some they eat. (36:71-72)

and,

وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى الاٌّنْعَـمِ لَعِبْرَةً نُّسْقِيكُمْ مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِ مِن بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ وَدَمٍ لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا سَآئِغًا لِلشَّارِبِينَ

And verily, in the cattle, there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from between excretions and blood, pure milk; palatable to the drinkers. (16:66) until,

وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَآ أَثَـثاً وَمَتَـعاً إِلَى حِينٍ

And of their wool, fur and hair, furnishings and articles of convenience, comfort for a while. (16:80)

Eat the Meat of These Cattle, But Do Not Follow Shaytan's Law Concerning Them

Allah said,

... كُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ ...

Eat of what Allah has provided for you,

of fruits, produce and cattle. Allah created all these and provided you with them as provision.

... وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ...

and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan.

meaning, his way and orders, just as the idolators followed him and prohibited fruits and produce that Allah provided for them, claiming that this falsehood came from Allah.

... إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ ...

Surely, he is to you,

meaning; Shaytan, O people, is to you,

... عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ ﴿١٤٢﴾

an open enemy.

and his enmity to you is clear and apparent. Allah said in other Ayat,

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَـنَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوّاً إِنَّمَا يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُواْ مِنْ أَصْحَـبِ السَّعِيرِ

Surely, Shaytan is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire. (35:6)

and,

يَـبَنِى آدَمَ لاَ يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَـنُ كَمَآ أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْءَتِهِمَآ

O Children of Adam! Let not Shaytan deceive you, as he got your parents out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiment, to show them their private parts. (7:27)

and,

أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِى وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ بِئْسَ لِلظَّـلِمِينَ بَدَلاً

Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you What an evil is the exchange for the wrongdoers. (18:50)

There are many other Ayat on this subject.