Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, Page 214❖ Introduction
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله
Some scholars argue that the mention of animal resurrection is metaphorical, implying human allegory. However, in the light of clear Qur’ānic verses, authentic Prophetic traditions, and the understanding of the Salaf, it is affirmed with certainty that animals will indeed be resurrected on the Day of Judgment. This is not symbolic, but a real and established matter in Islamic belief.
➊ Qur’ānic Evidences for the Resurrection of Animals
◈ 1. Sūrah al-Anʿām (6:38):
﴿وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم... ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ﴾
"There is no creature on the earth or bird flying with its wings but they are communities like you... Then unto their Lord shall they be gathered."
Imām al-Qurṭubī explains that the pronoun here refers to all creatures, not metaphorical humans.◈ 2. Sūrah al-Takwīr (81:5):
﴿وَإِذَا الْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ﴾
"And when the wild beasts shall be gathered."
An explicit indication that animals will be gathered on the Day of Judgment.◈ 3. Sūrah al-Shūrā (42:29):
﴿وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَثَّ فِيهِمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ جَمْعِهِمْ إِذَا يَشَاءُ قَدِيرٌ﴾
"And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the living creatures He has scattered throughout them; and He is able to gather them when He wills."
The word "إذا" indicates actual occurrence, not possibility — as emphasized by Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah.➋ Prophetic Aḥādīth Confirming Animal Resurrection
✦ 1. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:
"On the Day of Judgment, rights will be restored, even between horned and hornless goats."
Muslim (4/1997), Aḥmad (2/233–235)✦ 2. Narration by al-Qurṭubī from Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
All creatures will be gathered, and justice will be done — even between animals. Then Allah will say, "Become dust!"
Referenced in: Ḥākim (2/316), Ṭabarī (11/347), Ibn Kathīr
Then, Sūrah al-Naba’ (78:40) explains:
﴿وَيَقُولُ الْكَافِرُ يَا لَيْتَنِي كُنتُ تُرَابًا﴾
"The disbeliever will say: Would that I were dust!"
✦ 3. Dāraqutnī’s Report:
From ʿAṭā’:
Animals, upon seeing humans in fear and torment, will say:
"Praise be to Allah Who did not create us like you. We neither hope for Paradise nor fear Hell."
Allah will then say: "Become dust!"
✦ 4. Narration of Abū Dharr رضي الله عنه:
When two goats locked horns in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
"O Abū Dharr, do you know the end of their dispute? Indeed, Allah knows and will judge between them."
Aḥmad (5/162–173), Ṭabarī (11/348)✦ 5. Narration from ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه:
"The goat with broken horns will take retribution from the one with sharp horns on the Day of Judgment."
Aḥmad (1/72), Ibn Kathīr (2/131)✦ 6. Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه:
"All creatures will settle scores, even a gnat with another gnat."
➌ Statements of the Salaf & Scholars
✦ Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā (4/248)"All animals will be resurrected and gathered on the Day of Judgment, as clearly stated in Qur’ān and Sunnah."
He also emphasized that:
“Whoever denies their resurrection is either seriously mistaken, misguided, or even a disbeliever.”
➍ Conclusion
✔ All Qur’ānic verses, authentic aḥādīth, and scholarly statements establish that animals will be resurrected, gathered, and judged with justice on the Day of Resurrection.
✔ Their gathering is not symbolic or figurative — it is a real, definite, and unquestionable truth in Islām.
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللّٰه أعلم بالصواب
