Human beings are not the only residents of this universe, there are numerous creatures in the world and they all have their lives regulated in a way that indicates careful planning and elaborate design. Moreover, they all confirm the oneness of the Creator and the consistency of His law of creation. Subhan Allah!
Allah says in the Quran:
وَمَا مِنۡ دَآبَّةٍ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَلَا طٰۤـئِرٍ يَّطِيۡرُ بِجَنَاحَيۡهِ اِلَّاۤ اُمَمٌ اَمۡثَالُـكُمۡؕ مَا فَرَّطۡنَا فِى الۡـكِتٰبِ مِنۡ شَىۡءٍ ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّهِمۡ يُحۡشَرُوۡنَ
“There is not an animal that walks on earth and no bird that flies on its wings but are communities like your own. No single thing have We left out of the book. Then to their Lord shall they all be gathered.” (Surah 6:38) All animals that walk on earth, be they insects, reptiles, or vertebrates and all flying creatures, including every winged insect or bird, and indeed every living creature, belong to a community which shares certain characteristics and a particular way of life, just as human beings do. Allah (swt) has not left any type of His creation without providing it with an elaborate plan to organize its existence and without taking account of what it does with its life. At the end, all creatures are gathered to their Lord for judgement. This short ayat, which makes an all-important statement about life and the living, has a strong effect on our hearts as it describes Allah’s -
complete supervision
elaborate planning
total knowledge
superior power
We cannot elaborate here on each of these aspects, because such elaboration is beyond the scope of this work. What we need to say is that directing our attentions to the system of creation, Allah’s management and knowledge of them and His (swt) ultimate gathering of them to Himself, is much greater than providing physically miraculous signs, seen only by one isolated generation. This round concludes with a statement that Allah’s will and law remain operative when people choose either to follow His guidance or to go astray: “Those who deny Our revelations are deaf and dumb, groping along in darkness. Whomever Allah wills, He lets go astray; and whomever He wills, He guides along a straight path.” (Surah 6:39) Throughout the Quran, Allah reminds us all about the role of animals on earth, their own duty towards Allah, and how we (as humans) should be aware of treating animals with kindness and respect as creations of Allah. There are more than 200 ayats in the Quran that mention animals, and six surahs are also dedicated to an animal:
Surah Al Baqarah (The Cow)
Surah Al Anaam (The Cattle)
Surah Al Nahl (The Bees)
Surah Al Naml (The Ants)
Surah Al Ankabut (The Spider)
Surah Al Fil (The Elephant)
Here are some of the animals mentioned in the Quran, while acknowledging that Allah Knows Best as to why and how we acknowledge our shared existence with animals here on earth:
1. The Calf
associated with the story about Prophet Musa and his struggle against the people worshipping a calf
ثُمَّ اتَّخَذْتُمُ الْعِجْلَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَأَنْتُمْ ظَالِمُونَ
And [recall] when We made an appointment with Moses for forty nights. Then you took [for worship] the calf after him, while you were wrongdoers (Surah 2:51)
يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّكُمْ ظَلَمْتُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ بِاتِّخَاذِكُمُ الْعِجْلَ
And [recall] when Moses said to his people, “O my people, indeed you have wronged yourselves by your taking of the calf [for worship]. So repent to your Creator and kill yourselves. That is best for [all of] you in the sight of your Creator.” Then He accepted your repentance; indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful (Surah 2:54)
ثُمَّ اتَّخَذْتُمُ الْعِجْلَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَأَنْتُمْ ظَالِمُونَ
And Moses had certainly brought you clear proofs. Then you took the calf [in worship] after that, while you were wrongdoers. (Surah 2:92)
قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَأُشْرِبُوا فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْعِجْلَ بِكُفْرِهِمْ
And [recall] when We took your covenant and raised over you the mount, [saying], “Take what We have given you with determination and listen.” They said [instead], “We hear and disobey.” And their hearts absorbed [the worship of] the calf because of their disbelief. Say, “How wretched is that which your faith enjoins upon you, if you should be believers (Surah 2:93)
ثُمَّ اتَّخَذُوا الْعِجْلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ
The People of the Scripture ask you to bring down to them a book from the heaven. But they had asked of Moses [even] greater than that and said, “Show us Allah outright,” so the thunderbolt struck them for their wrongdoing. Then they took the calf [for worship] after clear evidences had come to them, and We pardoned that. And We gave Moses a clear authority (Surah 4:153)
وَاتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَهُ خُوَارٌ
And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf – an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers (Surah 7:148)
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا الْعِجْلَ سَيَنَالُهُمْ غَضَبٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ
Indeed, those who took the calf [for worship] will obtain anger from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world, and thus do We recompense the inventors [of falsehood] (Surah 7:152)
And many other ayats from the Quran; Surah 11:69, Surah 20:88, and Surah 51:26, shows that calf was used in the form of meal as well.
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ فَجَاءَ بِعِجْلٍ سَمِينٍ
Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf (Surah 51:26)
2. The Cattle
The word نَّعَم mentioned 33 times in Quran in 31 ayats.
وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ جُلُودِ الْأَنْعَامِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ
And Allah has made for you from your homes a place of rest and made for you from the hides of the animals tents which you find light on your day of travel and your day of encampment; and from their wool, fur and hair is furnishing and enjoyment for a time. (Surah 16:80)
وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِي الْأَنْعَامِ لَعِبْرَةً نُسْقِيكُمْ مِمَّا فِي بُطُونِهَا
And indeed, for you in livestock is a lesson. We give you drink from that which is in their bellies, and for you in them are numerous benefits, and from them you eat. (Surah 23:21)
إِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا كَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا
Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way. (Surah 25:44)
فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَامُهُمْ وَأَنْفُسُهُمْ
Have they not seen that We drive the water [in clouds] to barren land and bring forth thereby crops from which their livestock eat and [they] themselves? Then do they not see? (Surah 32:27)
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ
And among people and moving creatures and grazing livestock are various colors similarly. Only those fear Allah , from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving. (Surah 35:28)
3. The Bees
The word نحلة mentioned 01 times in Quran in 01 ayat
The bee is another animal that has an entire Surah of the Quran named after them, and in this ayat, it appears that Allah Himself has instructed the bee in terms of how to live on earth:
وَاَوۡحٰى رَبُّكَ اِلَى النَّحۡلِ اَنِ اتَّخِذِىۡ مِنَ الۡجِبَالِ بُيُوۡتًا وَّمِنَ الشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعۡرِشُوۡنَۙ
“Your Lord revealed to the honeybee: ‘Make homes in the mountains, in the trees and in the structures they raise'” (Surah 16:68)
4. The Ants
The Topic نمل mentioned 03 times in Quran in 01 ayat
The ant, one of the smallest creatures on earth, has an entire Surah of the Quran named after them. Mentioned during a story about Prophet Solomon, the Quran states:
وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيۡمٰنَ جُنُوۡدُهٗ مِنَ الۡجِنِّ وَالۡاِنۡسِ وَالطَّيۡرِ فَهُمۡ يُوۡزَعُوۡنَ
حَتّٰٓى اِذَاۤ اَتَوۡا عَلٰى وَادِ النَّمۡلِۙ قَالَتۡ نَمۡلَةٌ يّٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّمۡلُ ادۡخُلُوۡا مَسٰكِنَكُمۡۚ لَا يَحۡطِمَنَّكُمۡ سُلَيۡمٰنُ وَجُنُوۡدُهٗۙ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُوۡنَ
“And mustered for Solomon were his forces from among the Jinns and the humans and the birds. So all of them were kept under (his) control, Until when they reached the valley of the ants, one of the ants said, ‘O ants, enter your dwelling places, lest Sulaiman and his armies crush you unknowingly'” (27:17-18)
When Solomon gathered what the ant said, he smiled joyously at her words.’ Yet he soon realized what had just happened. He realized that it was all a great gift Allah had granted him, lifting the barriers that separate different types of creation. He therefore turned to God in acknowledgement of His favours: “My Lord! Direct my whole being so that I will always be grateful for Your grace which You have bestowed on me and on my parents.” (Surah 27:19) It is a direct address to his Lord, one that expresses the feeling that He is so close to him. He wants his whole being: organs, feelings and thoughts; heart, mind and tongue; words, actions and directions; talents, abilities and energies to be brought together to offer thanks for all the favors bestowed on him and his parents. Solomon’s prayer indicates how profound his appreciation of Allah’s grace was. He felt that Allah’s blessings overwhelmed his whole being as also his parents.
5. The Spider
The word “Spider عنكبوت”mentioned 02 times in Quran in 01 ayat.
The spider, having an entire surah named after it in the Quran, is an often misunderstood and wrongfully feared animal – and many Muslims remember the story of a spider’s web that saved the Prophet’s life while he was forced to take cover from those attempting to attack him. The spider is mentioned here in the Quran as part of a deeper parable:
مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنْكَبُوتِ اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًا ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنْكَبُوتِ ۖ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew. (Surah 29:41)
6. The Elephant
The word Elephant فِيلِ mentioned 01 times in Quran in 01 ayat
Although the elephant has an entire surah named after them, this animal is in fact only mentioned once in the Holy Quran, although the Surah in question tells the story of how Allah sent down an army of birds to defeat those who attempted to take over Mecca:
“Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the People of the Elephant? Has He not turned their plan into nullity? And He sent upon them flying birds in flocks, throwing upon them stones of baked clay, So He made them like green blades eaten (up)” ( Surah 105:1-5)
Other Animals mentioned in the Quran are :
7. Ape
The Topic قرد mentioned 03 times in Quran in 03 ayats
Apes are also mentioned in the Quran – interestingly, often as a punishment from Allah. Scientists today have discovered that humans share about 98% of our DNA with apes – while this could be explained in that we are all similar creations of Allah (while acknowledging that Allah Knows Best), it becomes highly interesting to study this sharing of similar DNA with these following ayats:
مَنْ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الْقِرَدَةَ وَالْخَنَازِيرَ
“Say, ‘Shall I tell you about the ones whose retribution with Allah is worse than that (which you deem bad)? They are those whom Allah has subjected to His curse and to His wrath; and He has turned some of them into apes and swine, those who worshipped Taghut (Satan, the Rebel). Those are worse in their situation, and far more astray from the straight path'” (Surah 5:60)
فَلَمَّا عَتَوْا عَنْ مَا نُهُوا عَنْهُ قُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ
“So when they were insolent about that which they had been forbidden, We said to them, ‘Be apes, despised'” (Surah 7:166)
فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ
“And you know the case of those of you who broke the Sabbath, how We said to them: ‘Become apes, despised and hated'” (Surah 2:65)
8. Bird
The word طائر mentioned 18 times in Quran in 16 ayats.
Birds, one of the most commonly mentioned animals in the Quran, appears 18 times in the Quran in 16 different ayats. Here are some of the ayats in which Allah mentions birds as part of his creation and gift to humankind on earth in better understanding Allah’s glory:
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ فِي جَوِّ السَّمَاءِ
“Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are signs for those who believe” (Surah16:79)
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالطَّيْرُ صَافَّاتٍ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُ وَتَسْبِيحَهُ
“Do you not see that all that is in the heavens and the earth, even the birds that go about spreading their wings in flight, extol His glory? Each knows the way of its prayer and of its extolling Allah’s glory. Allah is well aware of whatever they do” (Surah 24:41)
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَافَّاتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ
“Do they not see the birds above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them except the Most Beneficent (Allah). Verily, He is the All-Seer of everything” (Surah 67:19)
9. Camel
The word نَاقَةُ بَعِيرٍجمل etc mentioned 15 times in Quran in 15 ayats
Mentioned 15 times throughout the Quran, the camel is often framed as an animal not to be harmed – and in regards to the female camel, is often mentioned as a “trial” and “clear sign”. Here are some examples of when the camel is mentioned within the Holy Quran:
إِنَّا مُرْسِلُو النَّاقَةِ فِتْنَةً لَهُمْ فَارْتَقِبْهُمْ وَاصْطَبِرْ
“We are going to send the she-camel as a trial for them; so watch them and keep patience” (Surah 54:27)
وَآتَيْنَا ثَمُودَ النَّاقَةَ مُبْصِرَةً فَظَلَمُوا بِهَا
“And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs) but that the people of old denied them. And We sent the she-camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction)” (Surah 17:59)
وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ
“Verily, those who belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.)” (Surah 7:40)
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ نَاقَةَ اللَّهِ وَسُقْيَاهَا
“And the messenger of Allah said to them, ‘[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink'” (Surah 91:13)
10. Crow
The word Crow غُرَابًا mentioned 02 times in Quran in 01 ayat
Associated often with death or darkness, the crow is mentioned once in the Quran in regards to the murder of Habil by Qabil (Cain and Abel), the son of Adam:
فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ غُرَابًا يَبْحَثُ فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيُرِيَهُ كَيْفَ يُوَارِي سَوْءَةَ أَخِيهِ ۚ قَالَ يَا وَيْلَتَا أَعَجَزْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِثْلَ هَٰذَا الْغُرَابِ فَأُوَارِيَ سَوْءَةَ أَخِي ۖ فَأَصْبَحَ مِنَ النَّادِمِينَ
“Thereupon Allah sent forth a crow who began to scratch the earth to show him how he might cover the corpse of his brother. So seeing he cried: ‘Woe unto me! Was I unable even to be like this raven and find a way to cover the corpse of my brother?’ Then he became full of remorse at his doing” (Surah 5:31)
11. Dog
The word Dog كلب mentioned 05 times in Quran in 03 ayats
Appearing 3 times in the Quran, the dog is an often misunderstood animal throughout the Muslim world – both hated and loved, the dog is an interesting example of how Allah (swt) has placed us in relation to other creatures on earth. From its position of protecting the people of the cave to its simplicity, the dog is mentioned here:
وَكَلْبُهُمْ بَاسِطٌ ذِرَاعَيْهِ بِالْوَصِيدِ
“You would have thought they were awake, though they lay asleep. We turned them over, to the right and the left, with their dog stretching out its forelegs at the entrance. If you had seen them, you would have turned and run away, filled with fear of them” (Surah 18:18)
فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْ
“If it had been Our will, We could have used these signs to raise him high, but instead he clung to the earth and followed his own desires – he was like a dog that pants with a lolling tongue whether you drive it away or leave it alone. Such is the image of those who reject Our signs. Tell them the story so that they may reflect” (Surah 7:176)
12. Donkey and Mule
The word Donkey حِمَار mentioned 05 times in Quran in 05 ayats and the word Mule بغل mentioned 01 time in Quran in 01 ayat
While many of us today see the donkey as a low, simple, or amusing animal, we must remind ourselves that Allah has created every single creature on earth Himself – there are lessons to learn even from the donkey. Here is where the donkey is mentioned in the Holy Quran:
وَاغْضُضْ مِنْ صَوْتِكَ إِنَّ أَنْكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ
“And be moderate in your walk, and lower your voice. Surely, the ugliest of voices is the voice of the donkeys” (Surah 31:19)
مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا
“The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its legal laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example (or the likeness) of people who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah. And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers, etc.)” (Surah 62:5)
The mule is an animal that is the offspring of a male donkey and female horse, and today is often used as a means of transporting people and goods. Appearing in the Quran only once, in relation to donkeys and horses being used for adornment and transportation.
وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً
“And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know” (Surah 16:8)
13. Fish
The word Fish حوت mentioned 05 times in Quran in 05
Fish are mentioned 5 times in the Quran, both in relation to a source of food and to the large fish that swallowed Prophet Yunus (AS). Here is where fish are mentioned in the Holy Quran:
فَالْتَقَمَهُ الْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ
“Then a (big) fish swallowed him [Prophet Yunus] and he had done an act worthy of blame” (Surah 37:142)
فَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تَكُنْ كَصَاحِبِ الْحُوتِ إِذْ نَادَىٰ وَهُوَ مَكْظُومٌ
“So, remain patient with your Lord’s judgment, and be not like the Man of the Fish [Prophet Yunus], he cried out while he was in anguish” (Surah 68:48)
إِذْ تَأْتِيهِمْ حِيتَانُهُمْ يَوْمَ سَبْتِهِمْ شُرَّعًا
“And ask them about the town that was by the sea – when they transgressed in [the matter of] the sabbath – when their fish came to them openly on their sabbath day, and the day they had no sabbath they did not come to them. Thus did We give them trial because they were defiantly disobedient” (Surah 7:163)
14. Fly
The word Fly ذباب mentioned 01 times in Quran in 01 ayat
Although mentioned only once in the Quran, the significance of the fly should not be overlooked. Here is where it is mentioned in the Quran:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَنْ يَخْلُقُوا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا لَهُ
“O people, a parable is set forth: pay heed to it. Those who call upon aught other than Allah shall never be able to create even a fly, even if all of them were to come together to do that. And if the fly were to snatch away anything from them, they would not be able to recover that from it. Powerless is the supplicant; and powerless is he to whom he supplicates” (22:73)
15. Frog, Locust, Lice, and Moth
The word Frog ضفدع and Lice قُمَّلَ mentioned 01 time in Quran in 01 Ayat, the word Locust جرادة mentioned 02 times in Quran in 02 ayats, and the word Moth فَرَاش mentioned 01 times in Quran in 01 ayat.
Frogs are also mentioned within the Quran, and in this case, is mentioned in connotation with the plague sent down as a punishment from Allah:
فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الطُّوفَانَ وَالْجَرَادَ وَالْقُمَّلَ وَالضَّفَادِعَ
“So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood: (as a succession of) manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.)” (Surah 7:133)
خُشَّعًا أَبْصَارُهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌ مُنْتَشِرٌ
Their eyes humbled, they will emerge from the graves as if they were locusts spreading (Surah 54:7)
While the moth is only mentioned once within the Quran, it is in relation to the Day of Judgement, and remains a powerful reminder of how scattered and helpless we will be on that Day. The moth is mentioned in the Quran here:
يَوْمَ يَكُونُ النَّاسُ كَالْفَرَاشِ الْمَبْثُوثِ
“And what can make you know what is the Striking Calamity? It is the Day when people will be like moths, dispersed” (101:3-4)
16. Sheep and Goat
The word Goat ماعز mentioned 01 times in Quran in 01 ayat and the word Sheep غَنَم mentioned 03 times in Quran in 03 ayats
Mentioned only once within the Holy Quran, here the goat is named in relation to other animals such as sheep and cattle:
وَ مِنَ الۡاَنۡعَامِ حَمُوۡلَةً وَّفَرۡشًا ؕ كُلُوۡا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّٰهُ وَ لَا تَتَّبِعُوۡا خُطُوٰتِ الشَّيۡطٰنِ ؕ اِنَّهٗ لَـكُمۡ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيۡنٌ ۙ
ثَمٰنِيَةَ اَزۡوَاجٍ ۚ مِنَ الضَّاۡنِ اثۡنَيۡنِ وَمِنَ الۡمَعۡزِ اثۡنَيۡنِ ؕ قُلۡ ءٰٓالذَّكَرَيۡنِ حَرَّمَ اَمِ الۡاُنۡثَيَيۡنِ اَمَّا اشۡتَمَلَتۡ عَلَيۡهِ اَرۡحَامُ الۡاُنۡثَيَيۡنِ ؕ نَـبِّـُٔـوۡنِىۡ بِعِلۡمٍ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِيۡنَ ۙ
“[He gave you] livestock, as beasts of burden and as food. So eat what God has provided for you and do not follow in Satan’s footsteps: he is your sworn enemy; [God gave you] eight animals, in [four] pairs: a pair of sheep and a pair of goats – ask them [Prophet], ‘Has He forbidden the two males, the two females, or the young in the wombs of the two females? Tell me based on knowledge if you are telling the truth'” (6:142-3)
Sheep, and ewes – which are female sheep – are mentioned numerous times in the Holy Quran. Commonly associated with the Prophet Musa and Prophet Dawud, here are some instances when sheep are mentioned in the Quran:
وَمَا تِلۡكَ بِيَمِيۡنِكَ يٰمُوۡسٰى
قَالَ هِىَ عَصَاىَۚ اَتَوَكَّؤُا عَلَيۡهَا وَاَهُشُّ بِهَا عَلٰى غَـنَمِىۡ وَلِىَ فِيۡهَا مَاٰرِبُ اُخۡرٰى
“‘And what is that in your right hand, O Musa (Moses)?’ He said: “This is my stick, whereon I lean, and wherewith I beat down branches for my sheep, and wherein I find other uses'” (Surah 20:17-18)
وَدَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ إِذْ يَحْكُمَانِ فِي الْحَرْثِ إِذْ نَفَشَتْ فِيهِ غَنَمُ الْقَوْمِ
“And remember Dawud and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the matter of the field into which the sheep of certain people had strayed by night: We did witness their judgment” (Surah 21:78)
قَالَ لَقَدۡ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعۡجَتِكَ اِلٰى نِعَاجِهٖ ؕ وَاِنَّ كَثِيۡرًا مِّنَ الۡخُلَـطَآءِ لَيَبۡغِىۡ بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلٰى بَعۡضٍ اِلَّا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَقَلِيۡلٌ مَّا هُمۡ ؕ وَظَنَّ دَاوٗدُ اَنَّمَا فَتَنّٰهُ فَاسۡتَغۡفَرَ رَبَّهٗ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَّاَنَابَ
“He (Dawud) said, ‘He has certainly wronged you by demanding your ewe to be added to his ewe. Many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and very few they are.’ And Dawud realized that We had put him to a test, so he prayed to his Lord for forgiveness, and bowing down, he fell in prostration, and turned (to Allah)” (Surah 38:24)
17. Hoopoe
The word Hoopoe هُدْهُدَ mentioned 01 times in Quran in 01 ayat
The hoopoe bird is part of the story of Prophet Solomon, in which the animal is a bringer of important news to Solomon, who was blessed with the ability to converse and understand the language of birds and animals. The hoopoe is mentioned here:
وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ
لَاُعَذِّبَـنَّهٗ عَذَابًا شَدِيۡدًا اَوۡ لَا۟اَذۡبَحَنَّهٗۤ اَوۡ لَيَاۡتِيَنِّىۡ بِسُلۡطٰنٍ مُّبِيۡنٍ
فَمَكَثَ غَيۡرَ بَعِيۡدٍ فَقَالَ اَحَطْتُّ بِمَا لَمۡ تُحِطۡ بِهٖ وَ جِئۡتُكَ مِنۡ سَبَاٍۢ بِنَبَاٍ يَّقِيۡنٍ
“(On another occasion) Solomon inspected the birds and said: ‘Why is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Is he among the absentees? I will surely punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear reason’. But the hoopoe stayed not long, he (came up and) said: ‘I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba’ (Sheba) with true news'” (Surah 27:20-22)
18. Quail
The word Quail سلوى mentioned 03 times in Quran in 03 ayats
Mentioned in the Holy Quran 3 times, the quail is mostly understood to be in relation to Allah’s gift to humankind for a source of food and good tidings. The quail is mentioned here:
وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْغَمَامَ وَأَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَىٰ
“And We shaded you with clouds and sent down on you Al-Manna and the quails, (saying): ‘Eat of the good lawful things We have provided for you,’ (but they rebelled). And they did not wrong Us but they wronged themselves” (Surah 2:57)
وَوَاعَدْنَاكُمْ جَانِبَ الطُّورِ الْأَيْمَنَ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَىٰ
كُلُوۡا مِنۡ طَيِّبٰتِ مَا رَزَقۡنٰكُمۡ وَلَا تَطۡغَوۡا فِيۡهِ فَيَحِلَّ عَلَيۡكُمۡ غَضَبِىۡۚ وَمَنۡ يَّحۡلِلۡ عَلَيۡهِ غَضَبِىۡ فَقَدۡ هَوٰى
“O Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you at the right side of the mount, and We sent down to you manna and quails, [Saying], ‘Eat from the good things with which We have provided you and do not transgress [or oppress others] therein, lest My anger should descend upon you. And he upon whom My anger descends has certainly fallen [i.e., perished]'” (Surah 20:80-1)
وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْغَمَامَ وَأَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَىٰ
“And We divided them into twelve descendant tribes [as distinct] nations. And We inspired to Moses when his people implored him for water, ‘Strike with your staff the stone,’ and there gushed forth from it twelve springs. Every people [i.e., tribe] knew its watering place. And We shaded them with clouds and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], ‘Eat from the good things with which We have provided you.’ And they wronged Us not, but they were [only] wronging themselves” (7:160)
19. Horse
The word Horse حصان خَيْلٍ mentioned 06 times in Quran in 06 ayats
The horse is an animal both respected, heavily utilized in transport, domestication, and war, and is also mentioned in the Quran as an important animal in a part of the wealth and adornment of our earthly lives:
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنْطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ
“Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him” (Surah 3:14)
وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ وَمِنْ رِبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
“And prepare for them whatever power and whatever garrisoned horses you can, to (spread) awe thereby into (the hearts) of the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others, apart from them (i.e., besides them) that you do not know; Allah knows them. And whatever you expend in the way of Allah will be repaid you in full, and you will not be done an injustice” (Surah 8:60)
20. Mosquito
The word Mosquito بعوضة mentioned 01 time in Quran in 01 ayat
Although today mosquitos are seen as annoying and dangerous pests that can bite and spread disease, they are mentioned in the Holy Quran as part of a parable – reminding us of the power in understanding each creature’s relation to Allah Himself. The mosquito is mentioned here:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا
“Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example – that of a mosquito or what is smaller than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, ‘What did Allah intend by this as an example?’ He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient” (Surah 2:26)
21. Worm
Although easily one of the most disregarded animals on earth, the worm in fact has much power and influence over the ecosystem – and with death (the worm is often used for imagery in describing everyone’s eventual death and burial in the ground, with our bodies disturbingly being the food for worms). The worm is interestingly mentioned in the Holy Quran here:
فَلَمَّا قَضَيۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ الۡمَوۡتَ مَا دَلَّهُمۡ عَلٰى مَوۡتِهٖۤ اِلَّا دَآ بَّةُ الۡاَرۡضِ تَاۡ كُلُ مِنۡسَاَتَهُ ۚ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ الۡجِنُّ اَنۡ لَّوۡ كَانُوۡا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ الۡغَيۡبَ مَا لَبِثُوۡا فِى الۡعَذَابِ الۡمُهِيۡنِ ؕ
“Then when We decreed death for him [Sulaiman (Solomon)], nothing informed them (jinns) of his death except a little worm of the earth, which kept (slowly) gnawing away at his stick, so when he fell down, the jinns saw clearly that if they had known the unseen, they would not have stayed in the humiliating torment” (Surah 34:14)
22. Pig
The word Pig خنزير mentioned 05 times in Quran in 05 ayats
The pig is mentioned in the Quran as both the animal and as the meat that is forbidden to eat for Muslims (unless it is out of absolute necessity). The pig, although looked at with much disgust through the Muslim world, must be looked at both scientifically and religiously to understand why it was placed here on earth by Allah:
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ
“He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful” (Surah 2:173)
مَنْ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الْقِرَدَةَ وَالْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ الطَّاغُوتَ
“Say, ‘Shall I tell you about the ones whose retribution with Allah is worse than that (which you deem bad)? They are those whom Allah has subjected to His curse and to His wrath; and He has turned some of them into apes and swine, those who worshipped Taghut (Satan, the Rebel). Those are worse in their situation, and far more astray from the straight path'” (Surah 5:60)
إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنْزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ
“Say, ‘I do not find, in what has been revealed to me, anything (out of the cattle under discussion) prohibited for anyone who eats it, unless it be carrion or blood that pours forth, or flesh of swine – because it is impure – or there be an animal slaughtered sinfully by invoking on it the name of someone other than Allah. However, if anyone is compelled by necessity, neither seeking pleasure nor crossing the limit, then your Lord is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful'” (Surah 6:145)
According to the Quran, the only foods explicitly forbidden are meat from animals that die of themselves, blood, the meat of pigs and any food dedicated to other than God.
23. Snake
The word “Snake ثُعْبَانٌ جَانٌّ etc”mentioned 05 times in Quran in 05
Snakes are often feared and loathed around the world – and in the Quran, snakes are mentioned in relation to Prophet Musa when he is with the magicians in the Pharoah’s court and his staff (or cane) is turned into a snake:
فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُبِينٌ
“Then (Moses) threw his rod, and behold! it was a serpent, plain (for all to see)!” (Surah 7:107)
فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُبِينٌ
وَّنَزَعَ يَدَهٗ فَاِذَا هِىَ بَيۡضَآءُ لِلنّٰظِرِيۡنَ
“So, he threw down his staff, and in no time it was a serpent, clearly visible, and he drew out his hand, and right then it was a white light to the onlookers” (Surah 26:32-33)
فَلَمَّا رَآهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَانٌّ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ
“‘And throw your stick!’ But when he [Prophet Musa] saw it moving as if it were a snake, he turned in flight, and looked not back. (It was said): ‘O Musa (Moses)! Draw near, and fear not. Verily, you are of those who are secure'” (Surah 28:31)
24. Wolf
The word Wolf ذئب mentioned 03 times in Quran in 03 ayats
Mentioned in relation to Prophet Yusuf, the wolf is presented as a potentially dangerous animal that could attack or even kill Yusuf. The wolf is mentioned in the Holy Quran here:
قَالَ اِنِّىۡ لَيَحۡزُنُنِىۡ اَنۡ تَذۡهَبُوۡا بِهٖ وَاَخَافُ اَنۡ يَّاۡكُلَهُ الذِّئۡبُ وَاَنۡـتُمۡ عَنۡهُ غٰفِلُوۡنَ
قَالُوۡا لَـئِنۡ اَكَلَهُ الذِّئۡبُ وَنَحۡنُ عُصۡبَةٌ اِنَّاۤ اِذًا لَّخٰسِرُوۡنَ فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوۡا بِهٖ وَاَجۡمَعُوۡۤا اَنۡ يَّجۡعَلُوۡهُ فِىۡ غَيٰبَتِ الۡجُبِّۚ وَاَوۡحَيۡنَاۤ اِلَيۡهِ لَـتُنَـبِّئَـنَّهُمۡ بِاَمۡرِهِمۡ هٰذَا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُوۡنَ
وَجَآءُوۡۤ اَبَاهُمۡ عِشَآءً يَّبۡكُوۡنَؕ قَالُوۡا يٰۤاَبَانَاۤ اِنَّا ذَهَبۡنَا نَسۡتَبِقُ وَتَرَكۡنَا يُوۡسُفَ عِنۡدَ مَتَاعِنَا فَاَكَلَهُ الذِّئۡبُۚ وَمَاۤ اَنۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنٍ لَّنَا وَلَوۡ كُنَّا صٰدِقِيۡنَ
“They said: ‘O our father! We went racing with one another, and left Yusuf (Joseph) by our belongings and a wolf devoured him; but you will never believe us even when we speak the truth’. And they brought his shirt stained with false blood. He said: ‘Nay, but your ownselves have made up a tale. So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert'” (Surah 12:17-18)
25. Lion
The word Lion قَسْوَرَةٍ mentioned 01 time in Quran in 01 ayat
The lion is mentioned once in the Quran, in relation to those with disbelief running from a giant fear or large prey they cannot flee – in this case, with the lion used as a parable. The lion is mentioned in the Holy Quran here:
فَمَا تَنۡفَعُهُمۡ شَفَاعَةُ الشّٰفِعِيۡنَؕ
فَمَا لَهُمۡ عَنِ التَّذۡكِرَةِ مُعۡرِضِيۡنَۙ
كَاَنَّهُمۡ حُمُرٌ مُّسۡتَنۡفِرَةٌ ۙ
فَرَّتْ مِنْ قَسْوَرَةٍ
“So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them. Then what is wrong with them (i.e. the disbelievers) that they turn away from (receiving) admonition? As if they were frightened (wild) donkeys. Fleeing from a lion!” (Surah 74:48-51)
Sunnah ways to treat animals:
Narrated Salim: that Ibn `Umar disliked the branding of animals on the face. Ibn `Umar said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade beating (animals) on the face."
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّهُ كَرِهَ أَنْ تُعْلَمَ الصُّورَةُ،. وَقَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ نَهَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ تُضْرَبَ. تَابَعَهُ قُتَيْبَةُ حَدَّثَنَا الْعَنْقَزِيُّ عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ وَقَالَ تُضْرَبُ الصُّورَةُ.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5541; Book 72, Hadith 66; Vol. 7, Book 67, Hadith 449
It was also narrated from Sasmurah that: the Messenger of Allah forbade selling animals in exchange for animal's ion credit. (Grade: Sahih) Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4620; Book 44, Hadith 172; Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 4624
It was narrated that 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The Messenger of Allah commanded us to examine the eyes and ears (of animals), and no0t to sacrifice and animals with its ears slit from the front, and animal with its ears slit form the back, a animal with its tail cut, nor an animals with a round hole in its ear." (Grade: Hasan)
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ آدَمَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ - عَنْ زَكَرِيَّا بْنِ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ شُرَيْحِ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ نَسْتَشْرِفَ الْعَيْنَ وَالأُذُنَ وَأَنْ لاَ نُضَحِّيَ بِمُقَابَلَةٍ وَلاَ مُدَابَرَةٍ وَلاَ بَتْرَاءَ وَلاَ خَرْقَاءَ .
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4372; Book 43, Hadith 12; Vol. 5, Book 43, Hadith 4377
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that: The Messenger of Allah said: "Cats do not invalidate the prayer, because they are one of the things that are useful in the house." (Grade: Hasan)
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَجِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " الْهِرَّةُ لاَ تَقْطَعُ الصَّلاَةَ لأَنَّهَا مِنْ مَتَاعِ الْبَيْتِ " .
Reference : Book 1, Hadith 103; Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 369; Book 1, Hadith 399
Abu Huraira also told that Allah's messenger used to come to the house of some of the Ansar, but that near it was a house which he never visited. That distressed the people, so they said, “Messenger of God, you visit so and so’s house, but you never visit ours.” The Prophet replied, “It is because there is a dog in your house. ” They said, “There is a cat in their house,” and he replied, “A cat is a beast of prey.” (The explanation given is that a cat uses its fangs to kill its prey and is not unclean whereas the dog eats filth and is considered unclean.) Daraqutni transmitted it.
Reference : Mishkat al-Masabih 4513; Book 22, Hadith 198
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: Dawud ibn Salih ibn Dinar at-Tammar quoted his mother as saying that her mistress sent her with some pudding (harisah) to Aisha who was offering prayer. She made a sign to me to place it down. A cat came and ate some of it, but when Aisha finished her prayer, she ate from the place where the cat had eaten. She stated: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: It is not unclean: it is one of those who go round among you. She added: I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performing ablution from the water left over by the cat. (Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ صَالِحِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ التَّمَّارِ، عَنْ أُمِّهِ، أَنَّ مَوْلاَتَهَا، أَرْسَلَتْهَا بِهَرِيسَةٍ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ رضى الله عنها فَوَجَدْتُهَا تُصَلِّي فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَىَّ أَنْ ضَعِيهَا فَجَاءَتْ هِرَّةٌ فَأَكَلَتْ مِنْهَا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَتْ أَكَلَتْ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَكَلَتِ الْهِرَّةُ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ بِنَجَسٍ إِنَّمَا هِيَ مِنَ الطَّوَّافِينَ عَلَيْكُمْ " . وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ بِفَضْلِهَا .
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 76; Book 1, Hadith 76; Book 1, Hadith 76
A'isha, the wife of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Four are the vicious (birds, beasts and reptiles) which should be killed in the state of Ihram or otherwise: kite (and vulture), crow, rat, and the voracious dog. I (one of the narrators, `Ubaidullah b. Miqsam) said to Qasim (the other narrator who heard it from `A'isha): What about the snake? He said: Let it be killed with disgrace.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1198a; Book 15, Hadith 71; Book 7, Hadith 2717
It was also narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever kills a house lizard with one blow will have such and such a reward. Whoever kills it with two blows will have such and such a reward,” less than the first. “And whoever kills it with three blows will have such and such reward,” less than that mentioned the second time. (Grade: Sahih) Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3229; Book 28, Hadith 30; Vol. 4, Book 28, Hadith 3229
Narrated Ibn `Umar: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A woman entered the (Hell) Fire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth. "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 3318; Book 59, Hadith 124; Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith 535
وَاِنۡ يَّمۡسَسۡكَ اللّٰهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهٗۤ اِلَّا هُوَؕ وَاِنۡ يَّمۡسَسۡكَ بِخَيۡرٍ فَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ
And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good - then He is over all things competent. (Surah 6:17)
وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادۡعُوۡنِىۡۤ اَسۡتَجِبۡ لَـكُمۡؕ اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ يَسۡتَكۡبِرُوۡنَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِىۡ سَيَدۡخُلُوۡنَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِيۡنَ
And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.
Rest Allah knows best.
Source: Quran, Sunnah, Tafsir, In the shade of the Quran, and if anyone is interested to know all 200 ayats mentioned in the Quran regarding animals, then here is the link: https://www.thelastdialogue.org/article/list-of-all-animals-mentioned-in-quran/