The Hereafter Life of Animals in Islamic Theology: A Comparative Study between Islamic Schools and Inter-Religious Teachings

The life after death and the Hereafter life of human beings are among the tenets of all Muslims. However, the ‎question is set forth by the theologians as to whether animals’ life will end by worldly death, or like humans, they ‎will transfer to the other world and enjoy an immaterial life, too. The issue of animal Hereafter life is closely associated with the question if animals possess a rational ‎soul or not. Since the Qur’ān has regarded animals as an umma, we are to accept that there has been a kind of identity ‎and unity among the animals in understanding the world of being and the purpose of life, and this has prompted the application of the term umma to them‏.‏‎ The two ‎factors of consciousness and purposiveness in animals have caused the Qur’ān to identify them with the human beings and to ‎speak of their otherworldly life‏.‏‎ Accordingly, the resurrection of animals in the Hereafter, in addition to the ‎pleading for justice from themselves, is also meant to plead justice from the human being. Thus, the principle of ‎accepting the human’s responsibility towards animals is open to discussion, one which denies any exploitation of them ‎outside the essential purpose of their creation.‎‎