... He has commanded that you worship not except Him. ... [Q12:40]
Mission of the Messengers - XXVIII
Abstract
The Quran mentions the language of the birds. Scientists are discovering genetic commonalities in human and bird speech and language development.
Birds and snakes emerge in many mythologies as sacred and as symbols of power. All power belongs to Allah and he bestows power on whom He wills. So, from being revered as sacred in non-Abrahamic religions, the birds and snakes came under the command of the Jewish King Solomon, and became soldiers in his army.
The Bani Israel are under a ratified covenant. So, it is not surprising that early in The Quran, right after the story of Adam, the Bani Israel are reminded of their covenant.
Birds and snakes emerge in many mythologies as sacred and as symbols of power. All power belongs to Allah and he bestows power on whom He wills. So, from being revered as sacred in non-Abrahamic religions, the birds and snakes came under the command of the Jewish King Solomon, and became soldiers in his army.
The Bani Israel are under a ratified covenant. So, it is not surprising that early in The Quran, right after the story of Adam, the Bani Israel are reminded of their covenant.
Full Text
وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَانُ دَاوُودَ وَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ الطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْمُبِينُ
And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."
[Al-Quran 27:16, Translation: Sahih International]
The Quran mentions the language of the birds. It can be observed that the birds sing and they also speak with each other. Some birds, for example parrots, can learn human words, and some humans, for example villagers of Kusköy, Turkey, can whistle and communicate with each other like birds (links below). However, the rare ability mentioned by Prophet-King Solomon in Q27:16 was their ability to have meaningful conversations with birds. Solomon even had birds serving in his army:
وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ
And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows.
[Al-Quran 27:17, Translation: Sahih International]
Surah anNaml also records the inspection of the troops, potential court-martial, and the subsequent conversation between Solomon, the Commander, and his soldier, The Hoopoe:
وَتَفَقَّدَ الطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ الْغَائِبِينَ
لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ وَجِئْتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ
إِنِّي وَجَدتُّ امْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ
وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
أَلَّا يَسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ
اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ
قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ
اذْهَب بِّكِتَابِي هَٰذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَانظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ
And he inspected the birds and said, "Why not I see the hoopoe or is he from the absent?
I will surely punish him (with) a punishment severe or I will surely slaughter him unless he brings me a reason clear."
So he stayed not long, and he said, "I have encompassed that which not you have encompassed it, and I have come to you from Saba with news certain.
Indeed, I found a woman ruling them and she has been given of every thing and for her (is) a throne great.
And I found her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah, and has made fair-seeming to them the Shaitaan their deeds, and averted them from the Way, so they (are) not guided,
That not they prostrate to Allah, the One Who brings forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you conceal and what you declare,
Allah (there is) no god but He, (the) Lord (of) the Throne the Great."
He said, "We will see whether you speak (the) truth or you are of the liars.
Go with my letter, this, and deliver it to them. Then turn away from them and see what they return."
Attribution:
By Shantanu Kuveskar - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56688810
Curiously, the Hoopoe nestlings are also found to be able to make hissing sounds like snakes. In fact many other birds are also known to be able to make hissing sounds. This is interesting in the context that both birds and jinns (snakes) were serving in Solomon's army! Moreover, snakes and birds also feature as symbols of power in Ancient Egypt and prior civilisations.
Solomon was the heir of David, from the tribe of Bani Israel (children of Israel), who had been led across the sea by Moses when Allah rescued them from the Pharaoh. Thereafter, they were given The Book, and a covenant was ratified with them.
David & The Birds
Regarding the Prophet-King David, where we read about the great grace bestowed on him, we find the mention of the birds:
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا يَا جِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُ وَالطَّيْرَ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ
And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], "O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well]." And We made pliable for him iron,
[Al-Quran 34:10, Translation: Sahih International]
اصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُودَ ذَا الْأَيْدِ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِشْرَاقِ
وَالطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً كُلٌّ لَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ
إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِشْرَاقِ
وَالطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً كُلٌّ لَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ
Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to Allah ].
Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [ Allah ] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.
And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.
Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [ Allah ] in the [late] afternoon and [after] sunrise.
And the birds were assembled, all with him repeating [praises].
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.
Communities & Communication
Every creature is organised in communities, and everything communicates!
وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ
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.
Genetic Findings
Scientists are discovering genetic commonalities in human and bird speech and language development. The expression of FOXP2 is mentioned frequently in many reports.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOXP2:
Mythology
Scientists are discovering genetic commonalities in human and bird speech and language development. The expression of FOXP2 is mentioned frequently in many reports.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOXP2:
Forkhead box protein P2 (FOXP2) is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the FOXP2 gene, also known as CAGH44, SPCH1 or TNRC10, and is required for proper development of speech and language. The gene is shared with many vertebrates, where it generally plays a role in communication (for instance, the development of bird song).
...
Differences between song-learning and non-song-learning birds have been shown to be caused by differences in FOXP2 gene expression, rather than differences in the amino acid sequence of the FOXP2 protein.
Mythology
Many mythologies mention human-bird conversations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_the_birds:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopoe#Relationship_with_humans
Covenant, Leadership & Power
Birds and snakes emerge in many mythologies as sacred and as symbols of power. All power belongs to Allah and he bestows power on whom He wills. After the destruction of the ancient mighty civilisations, the last of whom was Ancient Egypt, the Bani Israel were tested with kingdom and leadership. So, from being revered as sacred in non-Abrahamic religions, the birds and snakes came under the command of the Jewish King Solomon, and became soldiers in his army. To put it in another way, from human subservience to Satan, in a reversal of roles, the Allah-fearing human came to rule over everyone else on Earth.
The Quran mentions this fact as:
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ فَلَا تَكُن فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَائِهِ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ
We verily gave Moses the Scripture; so be not ye in doubt of his receiving it; and We appointed it a guidance for the Children of Israel.
And when they became steadfast and believed firmly in Our revelations, We appointed from among them leaders who guided by Our command.
Lo! thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they used to differ.
Is it not a guidance for them (to observe) how many generations We destroyed before them, amid whose dwelling places they do walk? Lo! therein verily are portents! Will they not then heed?
Have they not seen how We lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat, and they themselves? Will they not then see?
And they say: When cometh this victory (of yours) if ye are truthful?
Say (unto them): On the day of the victory the faith of those who disbelieve (and who then will believe) will not avail them, neither will they be reprieved.
So withdraw from them (O Muhammad), and await (the event). Lo! they (also) are awaiting (it).
The Bani Israel are under a ratified covenant. So, it is not surprising that early in The Quran, right after the story of Adam, the Bani Israel are reminded of their covenant:
Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_the_birds:
In mythology, medieval literature and occultism, the language of the birds is postulated as a mystical, perfect divine language, green language, adamic language, Enochian, angelic language or a mythical or magical language used by birds to communicate with the initiated. ...
... In Egyptian Arabic, hieroglyphic writing is called "the alphabet of the birds".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopoe#Relationship_with_humans
...
Hoopoes are distinctive birds and have made a cultural impact over much of their range. They were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt, and were "depicted on the walls of tombs and temples". At the Old Kingdom, the hoopoe was used in the iconography as a symbolic code to indicate the child was the heir and successor of his father. ...
Covenant, Leadership & Power
Birds and snakes emerge in many mythologies as sacred and as symbols of power. All power belongs to Allah and he bestows power on whom He wills. After the destruction of the ancient mighty civilisations, the last of whom was Ancient Egypt, the Bani Israel were tested with kingdom and leadership. So, from being revered as sacred in non-Abrahamic religions, the birds and snakes came under the command of the Jewish King Solomon, and became soldiers in his army. To put it in another way, from human subservience to Satan, in a reversal of roles, the Allah-fearing human came to rule over everyone else on Earth.
The Quran mentions this fact as:
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ فَلَا تَكُن فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِّن لِّقَائِهِ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِّبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا نَسُوقُ الْمَاءَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَامُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
قُلْ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ لَا يَنفَعُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِيمَانُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَانتَظِرْ إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
قُلْ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ لَا يَنفَعُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِيمَانُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَانتَظِرْ إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ
We verily gave Moses the Scripture; so be not ye in doubt of his receiving it; and We appointed it a guidance for the Children of Israel.
And when they became steadfast and believed firmly in Our revelations, We appointed from among them leaders who guided by Our command.
Lo! thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they used to differ.
Is it not a guidance for them (to observe) how many generations We destroyed before them, amid whose dwelling places they do walk? Lo! therein verily are portents! Will they not then heed?
Have they not seen how We lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat, and they themselves? Will they not then see?
And they say: When cometh this victory (of yours) if ye are truthful?
Say (unto them): On the day of the victory the faith of those who disbelieve (and who then will believe) will not avail them, neither will they be reprieved.
So withdraw from them (O Muhammad), and await (the event). Lo! they (also) are awaiting (it).
The Bani Israel are under a ratified covenant. So, it is not surprising that early in The Quran, right after the story of Adam, the Bani Israel are reminded of their covenant:
فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتِيَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِي أُوفِ بِعَهْدِكُمْ وَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ
وَآمِنُوا بِمَا أَنزَلْتُ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ وَلَا تَكُونُوا أَوَّلَ كَافِرٍ بِهِ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا بِآيَاتِي ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا وَإِيَّايَ فَاتَّقُونِ
وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.
We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally."
O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you and fulfill My covenant [upon you] that I will fulfill your covenant [from Me], and be afraid of [only] Me.
And believe in what I have sent down confirming that which is [already] with you, and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And do not exchange My signs for a small price, and fear [only] Me.
And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].
...
References & Links
Related Posts in this Blog
External Links
https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-42256155
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_bird
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopoe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_the_birds
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26694-humans-and-birds-share-the-same-singing-genes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOXP2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_bird
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoopoe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_the_birds
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26694-humans-and-birds-share-the-same-singing-genes/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FOXP2
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