Animals Mentioned in the Quran

The bee is another animal that has an entire chapter of the Quran named after them, and in this verse, it appears that Allah Himself has instructed the bee in terms of how to live on earth:

“Your Lord revealed to the honeybee: ‘Make homes in the mountains, in the trees and in the structures they raise.'” (16:68)

Bird

Birds, one of the most commonly mentioned animals in the Quran, appear 18 times in the Quran in 16 different verses. Here are some of the verses in which Allah mentions birds as part of his creation and gift to humankind on earth in better understanding Allah’s glory:

“Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are signs for those who believe.” (16:79)

“Do you not see that all that is in the heavens and the earth, even the birds that go about spreading their wings in flight, extol His glory? Each knows the way of its prayer and of its extolling Allah’s glory. Allah is well aware of whatever they do.” (24:41)

“Do they not see the birds above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them except the Most Beneficent (Allah). Verily, He is the All-Seer of everything.” (67:19)

Calf

Most commonly associated with the story about Prophet Musa and his struggle against the people worshipping a calf, the Holy Quran mentions the calf 10 different times. Here are just a few:

“We appointed forty nights for Moses [on Mount Sinai] and then, while he was away, you took to worshipping the calf- a terrible wrong.” (2:51)

“Remember when We took your pledge, making the mountain tower above you, and said, ‘Hold on firmly to what We have given you, and listen to [what We say].’ They said, ‘We hear and we disobey,’ and through their disbelief they were made to drink [the love of] the calf deep into their hearts. Say, ‘How evil are the things your belief commands you to do, if you really are believers!’” (2:93)

Camel

Mentioned 15 times throughout the Quran, the camel is often framed as an animal not to be harmed, and in regards to the female camel, it is often mentioned as a “trial” and “clear sign." Here are some examples of when the camel is mentioned within the Holy Quran:

“We are going to send the she-camel as a trial for them; so watch them and keep patience.” (54:27)

“And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs) but that the people of old denied them. And we sent the she-camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).” (17:59)

“Verily, those who belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.)” (7:40)

“And the messenger of Allah said to them, ‘[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink'” (91:13)