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Why God created animals | The purpose of animals and plants on Earth?

God created animals for man and has subjugated to him what is in the heavens and on earth, so that he may benefit from it and enjoy it, and meet his needs, and use it to help him to worship Allaah.

Food, Meals – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad

📖Quran 2:29
It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things.

📖Quran 21:20
Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favors, [both] apparent and unapparent? But of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book [from Him].

📖Quran 45:13
And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth – all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

📖Quran 14:33
And He subjected for you the sun and the moon, continuous in orbit, and subjected for you the night and the day.

📖Quran 10:14
Sahih International
Then We made you successors in the land after them so that We may observe how you will do.

📖Quran 80:24-32
Then let mankind look at his food, How We poured down water in torrents, – Then We broke open the earth, splitting [it with sprouts], And caused to grow within it grain, And grapes and herbage, And olive and palm trees, And gardens of dense shrubbery, And fruit and grass – [As] enjoyment for you and your grazing livestock.

📖Quran 10:24
Sahih International
The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb – [those] from which men and livestock eat – until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought.

📖Quran 41:39
And of His signs is that you see the earth stilled, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and grows. Indeed, He who has given it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed, He is over all things competent.

📖Quran 16:69
Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].” There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.

📖Quran 16:5
And the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat.

📖Quran 16:14
And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, and [He subjected it] that you may seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be grateful.

📖Quran 16:8
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.

📖Quran 16:80
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.

📖Quran 5:5
Sahih International
This day [all] good foods have been made lawful, and the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them. And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith – his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

📖Quran 6:38
Sahih International
And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered

📖Quran 55:8-12
That you not transgress within the balance. And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance, And the earth He laid [out] for the creatures, Therein is fruit and palm trees having sheaths [of dates], And grain having husks and scented plants.

📖Quran 36:80
[It is] He who made for you from the green tree, fire, and then from it you ignite.

📖Quran 16:114
Then eat of what Allah has provided for you [which is] lawful and good. And be grateful for the favor of Allah , if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

📖Quran 21:173
Sahih International
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.

📖Quran 5:3
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah , and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

📖Quran 5:4
They ask you, [O Muhammad], what has been made lawful for them. Say, “Lawful for you are [all] good foods and [game caught by] what you have trained of hunting animals which you train as Allah has taught you. So eat of what they catch for you, and mention the name of Allah upon it, and fear Allah .” Indeed, Allah is swift in account.

📖Quran 5:96
Lawful to you is game from the sea and its food as provision for you and the travelers, but forbidden to you is game from the land as long as you are in the state of ihram. And fear Allah to whom you will be gathered.

📖Quran 7:31
O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive ( too much; too great or extreme) . Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.

📖Quran 40:64
It is Allah who made for you the earth a place of settlement and the sky a ceiling and formed you and perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah , your Lord; then blessed is Allah , Lord of the worlds.

Examples of Animal Uses

Purpose/Benefit Example
Food Cows, chickens, fish, etc.
Milk Cows, goats, sheep, etc.
Clothing Sheep (wool), silkworms (silk)
Transportation Horses, camels, etc.
Artistic Materials Animal hair for paintbrushes, shells for jewelry
Soap Animal fat or bones

Additional pieces of information related to animals and the Qur’an: 

  1. Animals are often used as examples in the Qur’an to illustrate moral lessons and spiritual truths. For example, the story of the ant and the hoopoe bird in Surah Al-Naml (27:18-19) is used to teach the importance of knowledge and wisdom.
  2. The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of treating animals with kindness and compassion. In Surah Al-An’am (6:38), it is stated that every creature on the earth and in the sky is a community like humans, and in Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:4), it is forbidden to hunt game while in the state of pilgrimage.
  3. The Qur’an also describes several animals that are significant in Islamic tradition. For example, the Prophet Muhammad had a special fondness for camels, which were used as a means of transportation and a source of food and milk in the Arabian Peninsula. The Qur’an also mentions the story of Solomon and his ability to communicate with animals, including birds and ants.
  4. Animal sacrifice is a significant ritual in Islam, particularly during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The sacrifice of an animal, such as a sheep or goat, is performed in commemoration of the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for the sake of God. The meat from the sacrifice is distributed to the poor and needy.

Additional Information 

Animal sacrifice is an important ritual in Islam, particularly during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford it are encouraged to sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a sheep or a goat, as an act of devotion and gratitude to God. The meat is distributed to the poor and needy, emphasizing the importance of charity and compassion. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reportedly said, “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 112) This hadith encourages Muslims to be mindful of those around them and to show compassion and generosity to those in need. Animal sacrifice is also associated with the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail in Islamic tradition.