Theological and Philosophical Issue of Animal Resurrection

Although the existence of the world after death and otherworldly life are among the fundamental tenets of the whole Muslims, Islamic thinkers are divided as to what category of existents this kind of life belongs. Aside from various interpretations of the Quranic verses and Islamic traditions, the issue of the animal resurrection in theological and philosophical sources of different Islamic schools is closely associated with the two principles of whether animals possess rational soul or not and how would it be possible while they are not religiously obligated. Though it seems certain that animals are not religiously obligated, the fact that they are considered as a community by the Quran, suggests both their knowledge of being and their shared and definite purpose in the life of this world. The two factors of consciousness and purposiveness in animals have caused Quran to identify them with human being and to speak of their other-worldly life. With this assumption, it might be claimed that the resurrection of animals in the Hereafter, in addition to the pleading for justice from themselves, is also meant to plead justice from human being. Thus, the principle of accepting man's responsibility towards animals is open to discussion, one which denies any exploitation of them outside the essential purpose of their creation.