Islam discusses all aspects of life, including animal handling. This research aimed to explore the concept of animal welfare from the Islamic perspective. The research is a qualitative research using inferential methods. The data was collected using the thematic methods of the Quran interpretation (tafsir maudhui) on animals in the Quran and Hadis and analyzed using the ma’na cum maghza approach. The results showed that the concept of animal welfare in the Islamic perspective derives from three aspects of the animal position as beneficiaries for humans, as God’s creatures, as communities, and part of macrocosmic. The construction of animal welfare in Islam accommodates ethical and legal aspects of treating animals which include basic food sufficiency, adequate rest, safety and comfort, and basic freedom of animal life. In general, the practice of animal welfare in Islam is theology-based ethics that is closely related to human functions as God’s vice-gerents. Thus, the concept of animal welfare from the Islamic perspective is holistic sustainability that includes the welfare of all beings.
Keywords: animal welfare; ethics; Islam; Quran interpretation; theology; holistic sustainability; ma’na cum maghz