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People can distinguish sounds that range from 15 to 15, 000 hertz (vibrations per second)
while dolphins, for instance, can distinguish sounds between 400 and 200,000 hertz. The
dolphin’s language is too fast for humans to hear and too high pitched.
Nevertheless, it seems that humans and animals share one thing in common: they both
are conscious of their environment and are sensitive to it. Forest monkeys have been reported as
shy and nomad. However, monkeys that get used to city life become aggressive bold and always
sleep at the same place. It seems that city life for monkeys as for humans transform them, so that
they can never come back to a calmer and simpler life. They seem to react the same way to
stress, in other words to emotions than humans.
Essay or discussion:
Animals are doted with senses more developed than humans. However, humans dominate
them. How are humans superior to animals? Which gifts do we have to take care of the
earth better than other living creatures?
THE COVENANT
In Islam, there is no real barrier between animals, rocks and humans. All are able to feel,
utter words, respond to the call of Allah whenever they are permitted to do so. Certain prophets
were given special gifts that are called miracles: Prophet Suleiman (Peace be upon him) was able
to understand the language of animals and he could see the Jinns (another creation of Allah
Ta'alah); Musa (Moses) (peace be upon him) was given the power to part the sea; Muhammad
(peace be upon him) could communicate with rocks and plants.
The real barrier between animals and humans is that humans do not understand how the animals
pray and they cannot understand their language. But animals can suffer, feel love or be
depressed; they remember things and they can decide on their own. Like humans, some animals
are more intelligent than others and like humans some animals can even create tools, build
habitations, or knit (the spider web or some birds nests prove the ability of these animals to sew
and design). What differentiate humans from animals is that the instinct (the inherent) is much
stronger in animals, and humans rely more on their imagination and intelligence for survival.
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The inability for human beings to understand things right away, by instinct, is true from the
beginning of his creation. When asked to take care of the earth, only humans accepted the
challenge out of ignorance. In the Qur'an, it is called "the covenant".
What is the definition of a "covenant"?
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This covenant has a story. Here is what the Qur’an says about it:
72. We did indeed offer Al-Amânah (the Trust or moral responsibility or honesty, and
all the duties which Allâh has ordained) to the Heavens and the Earth and the
Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid of it (i.e., afraid of Allâh’s
Torment). But man undertook. He was indeed unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its
results).
73. (With the result) that Allah has to punish the Hypocrites, men and women, and the
Unbelievers, men and women, and Allah turns in Mercy to the Believers, men and
women: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
[Al-Ahzâb (The Clan) 33: 72-73]
The Trust or the Covenant was offered to all creation. What made the man accepts it besides
being ignorant? What made the animals refuse it?
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Allah says He will punish men who do not keep the Covenant.
The Covenant does not cover only the subject of taking care of the earth, it implies
something else. What is it? How can men betray the Trust? Give examples:
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