Surah Al-An'aam (6) — Ayah 38

(Ayah 38) ➊ {وَ مَا مِنْ دَآبَّةٍ فِي الْاَرْضِ …:} means any creature that walks on the earth (see Surah An-Nur: 45) and any bird that flies with two wings, but all are communities like you. Here is a question: the meaning of "ta'ir" is itself "bird" (one that flies), so what is the need for the words "that flies with its two wings"? The answer is that sometimes a fast runner is also called a "bird," as it may be said, "the horse was flying." The words "two wings" have removed this possibility and clarified that here the real bird is meant, which flies with wings, not just something fast.

➋ {اِلَّاۤ اُمَمٌ اَمْثَالُكُمْ:} means that all creatures that walk on the earth and fly are communities like you; they are born like you, reach youth, then die. Like you, their creation, their provision, the fulfillment of all their needs, and the arrangement of their interests are all the responsibility of Allah Almighty. (See Surah Hud: 6) Just as Allah Almighty takes care of their interests, He also takes care of all your interests. Sending signs and miracles according to the demands of these people is itself against their own interests.

➌ {مَا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتٰبِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ:} {’’ الْكِتٰبِ ‘‘} refers to the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz), which encompasses all the conditions of the creatures; there is nothing whose explanation is left out in it. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The pen has dried over what you are going to do." [بخاری، القدر، باب جف القلم علی علم اللہ… قبل ح : ۶۵۹۶ ] {’’ الْكِتٰبِ ‘‘} here can also mean the Noble Qur'an. Razi said (this meaning is more apparent) in the sense that Allah Almighty has explained all the principles (fundamental matters) of the religion in it, and the details not mentioned have been explained by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) through his words and actions, as Allah Almighty said: «وَ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتٰبَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ » [ النحل : ۸۹ ] "We have sent down to you the Book as a clarification of all things." And Muslims were commanded that whatever the Messenger commands you, do it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it, as He said: «وَ مَاۤ اٰتٰىكُمُ الرَّسُوْلُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَ مَا نَهٰىكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوْا » [ الحشر : ۷ ] In summary, the Prophetic hadith is also a divine book, and there is nothing in the religion that has not been explained in {’’ الْكِتٰبِ ‘‘ } (Qur'an and hadith).

➍ {ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُوْنَ:} The disbelievers have been warned that when Allah Almighty is not unaware of the conditions of any animal or bird on earth, and its record of deeds is preserved and it will also be recompensed, then why do you think that you will not be recompensed for your deeds? (Razi)

➎ From this verse: «ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُوْنَ» and another verse: «وَ اِذَا الْوُحُوْشُ حُشِرَتْ» [ التکویر : ۵ ] (And when the wild beasts are gathered) it is known that animals will also be resurrected on the Day of Judgment. They will not be held accountable for disbelief, polytheism, faith, or deeds, but any injustice that one animal did to another will certainly be recompensed, as Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Surely, the rights will be given to those entitled to them, to the extent that the hornless goat will be recompensed by the horned goat." [ مسلم، البر والصلۃ، باب تحریم الظلم : ۲۵۸۲ ] Some scholars think that this is stated as a parable, because animals are not legally responsible, but the explicit words "recompense" in the hadith negate this view.