For Muslims, it is undoubtedly essential to treat animals with mercy and kindness. Animal cruelty is accordingly condemned in the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH), and the virtues of being good to animals are stated. The Quran, meanwhile, mentions numerous animals in various verses.
As Muslims, it is crucial for us to teach our children the Quran. The most suitable method of Quran learning nowadays is through an online Quran academy. Online Quran lessons are convenient, as timings are flexible, and there is no need for travel. Children have access to professional online Quran tutors and can easily learn from the comfort of their homes. Thus, online Quran learning is safe and effective.
Animals in the Quran: Cows
In Surah Yusuf, the king said that he’d dreamt of seven lean cows devouring seven fat cows. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Musa (AS) informed his people that Allah had ordered them to slaughter a cow.
He said, “He says, ‘It is a cow neither trained to plow the earth nor to irrigate the field, one free from fault with no spot upon her.’ ” They said, “Now you have come with the truth.” So they slaughtered her, but they could hardly do it. (2:71)
Animals in the Quran: Camels
Camels are also mentioned in a number of places in the Quran. In Surah Ash-Shams, we learn about the she-camel that the people of Thamud were required not to hurt or bother. Yet they hamstrung her and earned Allah’s punishment.
Do (these unbelievers) not observe the camels: how they were created? (88:17) .
Animals in the Quran: Bees
In Surah An-Nahl , Allah tells us about bees and that the honey they produce contains healing for us, which is a sign for those who think.
ALLAH mentioned bees in the following Ayah :
And your Lord inspired the bees: “Make ˹your˺ homes in the mountains, the trees, and in what people construct,
Bees have amazing abilities and provide benefits to humans. Bees are essential for pollinating plants, which allows them to produce food. Honey, which is produced by bees, is also a valuable food and medicine.
Animals in the Quran: The Elephant
In Surah Al-Fil, Allah asks us whether we see how He treated the Companions of the Elephant, sending birds that defeated them by stoning them.
(105:1) Have you not seen1 how your Lord dealt with the people of the elephants?2 (105:2) Did He not bring their plan3 to naught?4 (105:3) And He sent against them swarms of birds5 (105:4) which smote them with stones of baked clay,6 (105:5) and made them like straw eaten up (by cattle).7
Animals in the Quran: Calves
In Surah Al-Baqarah, we learn that when Musa (AS) was away for forty nights, his people started worshipping a calf. When he returned, he reprimanded the people and told them to repent and kill themselves (the transgressors among them), as that is more suitable for them in Allah’s sight.
And ˹remember˺ when We appointed forty nights for Moses, then you worshipped the calf in his absence, acting wrongfully. (2:51)
Animals in the Quran: Crows
In Surah Al-Ma’idah, Allah tells us that he sent a crow that scratched the ground to show Adam’s (AS) son how to hide his brother’s dead body after he had killed him.
Then Allah sent a crow digging the ground, to show him how to cover his brother’s corpse. He said, “Woe to me! I was unable to be like this crow, and bury my brother’s corpse.” So he became full of regrets. (5:31)
Animals in the Quran: Birds
One of Isa’s (AS) miracles, as mentioned in Surah Al-Ma’idah, was that he molded a bird’s figure out of clay and breathed into it, and it became a bird, by Allah’s leave.
We guided ˹young˺ Solomon to a fairer settlement,1 and granted each of them wisdom and knowledge. We subjected the mountains as well as the birds to hymn ˹Our praises˺ along with David. It is We Who did ˹it all˺. (21:79)
In Surah An-Nur, Allah mentions that all beings in the heavens and on earth, including birds, celebrate the praises of Allah. The Hoopoe is a bird that played a role in the story of Sulaiman (AS) in Surah An-Naml.
The Quail
In Surah Al-Baqarah, we learn that Allah sent down manna and quails to the Children of Israel so that they could eat them.
And ˹remember when˺ We shaded you with clouds and sent down to you manna and quails,1 ˹saying˺, “Eat from the good things We have provided for you.” The evildoers ˹certainly˺ did not wrong Us, but wronged themselves. (2:57)
The Fish
In Surah Al-Kahf, when Musa (AS) was traveling with his servant, they forgot their fish, and it went into the sea. In Surah As-Saffat, Allah tells us that a fish swallowed Yunus (AS) after he left his people without Allah’s permission.
But when they ˹finally˺ reached the point where the seas met, they forgot their ˹salted˺ fish, and it made its way into the sea, slipping away ˹wondrously˺. ( 18:61)
The Snake
In Surah Al-Qasas in the Quran, the miracle of Musa (AS), which involves an animal (a snake), is mentioned. When Allah told him to throw down his staff, it began moving like a snake. Musa’s (AS) reaction was one of fright, but Allah reassured him.
And [he was told], “Throw down your staff.” But when he saw it writhing as if it was a snake, he turned in flight and did not return.1 [Allāh said], “O Moses, approach and fear not. Indeed, you are of the secure. (Surah Al-Qasas – 31)
The Wolf
Wolves are among the animals Allah mentions in the Quran. In Surah Yusuf, Yaqub (AS) expressed his sorrow when his sons were taking Yusuf (AS) away, saying that he was worried that a wolf would eat Yusuf (AS) while the brothers were not paying attention. The brothers reassured him that if the wolf were to eat Yusuf with all of them present, they would surely be killed first. Upon returning, they said that they went racing and left Yusuf (AS) with their things, and a wolf ate him.
CONCLUSION
The Quran mentions many animals, and each one is a reminder of Allah’s power and creativity. The Quran also teaches us how to treat animals with kindness and respect. We should be grateful for all of Allah’s creations, including animals.
