[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Showing posts with label humans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humans. Show all posts

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Prostrate in Submission

Adam, Joseph, Earth 


Surah Yusuf (Joseph) 12:1-7


الٓرٰ​ تِلۡكَ اٰيٰتُ الۡكِتٰبِ الۡمُبِيۡن‏ ١ اِنَّاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنٰهُ قُرۡءٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُوۡنَ‏ ٢ نَحۡنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ اَحۡسَنَ الۡقَصَصِ بِمَاۤ اَوۡحَيۡنَاۤ اِلَيۡكَ هٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنَ ​ۖ  وَاِنۡ كُنۡتَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِهٖ لَمِنَ الۡغٰفِلِيۡنَ‏ ٣ اِذۡ قَالَ يُوۡسُفُ لِاَبِيۡهِ يٰۤاَبَتِ اِنِّىۡ رَاَيۡتُ اَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوۡكَبًا وَّالشَّمۡسَ وَالۡقَمَرَ رَاَيۡتُهُمۡ لِىۡ سٰجِدِيۡنَ‏ ٤ قَالَ يٰبُنَىَّ لَا تَقۡصُصۡ رُءۡيَاكَ عَلٰٓى اِخۡوَتِكَ فَيَكِيۡدُوۡا لَـكَ كَيۡدًا ؕ اِنَّ الشَّيۡطٰنَ لِلۡاِنۡسَانِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِيۡنٌ‏ ٥ وَكَذٰلِكَ يَجۡتَبِيۡكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِنۡ تَاۡوِيۡلِ الۡاَحَادِيۡثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعۡمَتَهٗ عَلَيۡكَ وَعَلٰٓى اٰلِ يَعۡقُوۡبَ كَمَاۤ اَتَمَّهَا عَلٰٓى اَبَوَيۡكَ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ اِبۡرٰهِيۡمَ وَاِسۡحٰقَ​ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيۡمٌ حَكِيۡمٌ‏  ٦ ۞ لَقَدۡ كَانَ فِىۡ يُوۡسُفَ وَاِخۡوَتِهٖۤ اٰيٰتٌ لِّـلسَّآٮِٕلِيۡنَ‏ ٧


Alif, Lām, Rā. These are the verses of the clear Book. Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ān that you might understand. We relate to you, [O Muḥammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’ān although you were, before it, among the unaware. [Of these stories mention] when Joseph said to his father, "O my father, indeed I have seen [in a dream] eleven stars and the sun and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me." He said, "O my son, do not relate your vision to your brothers or they will contrive against you a plan. Indeed Satan, to man, is a manifest enemy. And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives [i.e., events or dreams] and complete His favor upon you and upon the family of Jacob, as He completed it upon your fathers before, Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is Knowing and Wise." Certainly were there in Joseph and his brothers signs for those who ask, [such as]

— Saheeh International


الۗرٰ یہ ایک روشن کتاب کی آیات ہیں

ہم نے اس کو نازل کیا ہے عربی قرآن بنا کر تاکہ تم لوگ اسے اچھی طرح سے سمجھ سکو

(اے نبی !) ہم آپ کو سنانے لگے ہیں بہترین بیان اس قرآن کے ساتھ جو ہم نے آپ کی طرف وحی کیا ہے اور یقیناً آپ اس سے پہلے (اس سے) ناواقف تھے

جب یوسف نے اپنے والد (یعقوب) سے کہا اباجان ! میں نے خواب میں دیکھا ہے گیارہ ستاروں اور سورج اور چاند کو میں نے ان کو دیکھا ہے کہ وہ مجھے سجدہ کر رہے ہیں

یعقوب نے فرمایا : اے میرے پیارے بیٹے ! اپنا یہ خواب اپنے بھائیوں کے سامنے بیان نہ کرنا ورنہ وہ تمہارے خلاف کوئی سازش کریں گے یقیناً شیطان تو انسان کا کھلا دشمن ہے

اور اسی طرح تمہارا رب تمہیں منتخب کرے گا اور تمہیں سکھائے گا تاویل الاحادیث میں سے (علم) اور اتمام فرمائے گا اپنی نعمت کا تجھ پر اور آل یعقوب پر جس طرح اس نے اس سے پہلے اپنی نعمت کا اتمام فرمایا تیرے آباء واجداد ابراہیم اور اسحاق ؑ پر یقیناً تیرا رب جاننے والا حکمت والا ہے

یقیناً یوسف اور آپ ؑ کے بھائیوں (کے قصے) میں (بہت سی) نشانیاں ہیں پوچھنے والوں کے لیے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/12/1-7]


Joseph (Yusuf) is an individual, and so are his parents, and brothers, each one an individual person. Joseph sees a dream that the objects in the sky (eleven planets/stars, sun, moon) are prostrating to Him. This dream is realised years later when indeed Joseph is in power in the Egypt (Misr), and his parents and brothers come to him. 

In Surah alHajj, we read: 

Surah alHajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:65-68


 اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ سَخَّرَ لَـكُمۡ مَّا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَالۡـفُلۡكَ تَجۡرِىۡ فِى الۡبَحۡرِ بِاَمۡرِهٖ ؕ وَيُمۡسِكُ السَّمَآءَ اَنۡ تَقَعَ عَلَى الۡاَرۡضِ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِهٖ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوۡفٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏ ٦٥ وَهُوَ الَّذِىۡۤ اَحۡيَاكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُمِيۡتُكُمۡ ثُمَّ يُحۡيِيۡكُمۡ​ ؕ اِنَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ لَـكَفُوۡرٌ‏ ٦٦ لِّـكُلِّ اُمَّةٍ جَعَلۡنَا مَنۡسَكًا هُمۡ نَاسِكُوۡهُ​ فَلَا يُنَازِعُنَّكَ فِى الۡاَمۡرِ​ وَادۡعُ اِلٰى رَبِّكَ​ ؕ اِنَّكَ لَعَلٰى هُدًى مُّسۡتَقِيۡمٍ‏ ٦٧ 

Do you not see that Allāh has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed Allāh, to the people, is Kind and Merciful. And He is the one who gave you life; then He causes you to die and then will [again] give you life. Indeed, mankind is ungrateful. For every [religious] community We have appointed rites which they perform. So, [O Muḥammad], let them [i.e., the disbelievers] not contend with you over the matter but invite [them] to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon straight guidance. And if they dispute with you, then say, "Allāh is most knowing of what you do.

— Saheeh International

کیا تم نے دیکھا نہیں کہ اللہ نے زمین کی سب چیزوں کو تمہارے لیے مسخرّ کردیا ہے اور کشتی کو جو چلتی ہے سمندر میں اس کے حکم سے اور وہ تھامے ہوئے ہے آسمان کو کہ وہ گر نہ جائے زمین پر مگر اس کے حکم سے یقیناً اللہ انسانوں کے ساتھ بہت ہی شفیق ہے بہت مہربان ہے

اور وہی ہے جس نے تمہیں زندہ کیا پھر وہ تمہیں موت دے گا پھر تمہیں زندہ کرے گا یقیناً انسان بڑا ہی نا شکرا ہے

ہم نے ہر امتّ کے لیے قربانی (اور عبادت) کے طریقے مقرر کردیے ہیں جن کی وہ پیروی کرتے ہیں تو انہیں آپ ﷺ سے اس معاملے میں جھگڑنا نہیں چاہیے اور آپ ﷺ اپنے رب کی طرف بلاتے رہیے۔ یقیناً آپ ﷺ ہدایت کے سیدھے راستے پر ہیں

اور اگر یہ لوگ آپ ﷺ سے جھگڑیں تو آپ ﷺ کہیے کہ اللہ بہتر جانتا ہے جو تم کر رہے ہو

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/22/65-68]

All angels were commanded to prostrate to Adam. All except Iblis prostrated. 

Allah has subjected everything that is on Earth for humans. 

Allah also restrains the sky from falling upon the Earth. 

The Hajj is a rite announced by Abraham (Ibrahim alahisalam) and has been going on since then. 

Among the rites is the circumambulation of the cube-shaped Kaaba. 

Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba seven times. 

Pilgrims circumambulate it in anti-clockwise direction. 

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As studied in a previous post, the Micro Shape of the Earth, the smallest geometrical shape a rock breaks into is a cube. 

As we look into the sky, all humans can see sun, moon, planets, and stars move across the sky. Apparently, the sky seems to be going around the Earth. 

We know that almost all objects in the sky are moving around something. That is they are in orbit, revolving around some other object. Many objects are also spinning around their own axis. Almost all of them rotate and revolve in anti-clockwise direction. 

To quote from https://www.spaceacademy.net.au/library/notes/anticlok.htm [as on November 6, 2025]

THE ANTICLOCKWISE SOLAR SYSTEM

If we could stand outside the solar system and look down upon it from above the north pole of the Sun (or the Earth), we would see that nearly all the bodies in the solar system have motions that are anticlockwise.

The Sun rotates on its axis in an anticlockwise direction. The Earth also rotates on its axis in an anticlockwise direction. And the Earth revolves around the Sun in an anticlockwise direction. All the other major planets, and most of the minor planets (asteroids) also orbit the Sun in an anticlockwise direction. (A few comets orbit in the opposite, or clockwise, direction).

Most of the planets rotate about their own axes in an anticlockwise direction. This is called prograde rotation. Venus and Neptune are exceptions. Venus has a very slow clockwise rotation (termed retrograde), and Uranus, although it rotates every 15.5 hours, has its equator inclined at almost a right angle to its orbital plane. It is thus difficult to know whether to describe the rotation of Uranus as prograde with an equatorial inclination of 98o or retrograde with an inclination of 82o.


Allah has created humans to worship him, prostrating to Him alone. 

While we must live on Earth in this dunya, Allah has appointed the Kaaba as a Qibla. 

Allah states that the Kaaba is His House (Q2:125, Q20:26). 

Everything on Earth and in the Sky prostates to and worships Allah: 

Surah alHajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:18


أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ وَٱلنُّجُومُ وَٱلْجِبَالُ وَٱلشَّجَرُ وَٱلدَّوَآبُّ وَكَثِيرٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ وَمَن يُهِنِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۩ ١٨

Do you not see [i.e., know] that to Allāh prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allāh humiliates - for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allāh does what He wills.

— Saheeh International

کیا تم نے دیکھا نہیں کہ اللہ کے سامنے سر بسجود ہیں جو آسمانوں میں ہیں اور جو زمین میں ہیں اور سورج چاند ستارے پہاڑ درخت اور چوپائے اور لوگوں میں سے بھی بہت سارے اور بہت سے (انسان) ایسے ہیں جو عذاب کے مستحق ہوجاتے ہیں اور جس کو اللہ ہی رسوا کر دے پھر اسے عزت دینے والا کوئی نہیں یقیناً اللہ کرتا ہے جو چاہتا ہے

— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)

[https://quran.com/22/18]


The symbolism of the Hajj is certainly something to reflect upon. 


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Related Posts 

Ancient (الۡعَتِيۡقِ) 

The Ancient House 

Micro Shape of the Earth 

Adam and Joseph 

    Q2 30-39 || Q12 

    Q3 33-34, 59-60 || Q12 

    Q7 10-36 || Q12 

    Q15 23-50 || Q12 

    Q18 50-51 || Q12 

    Q20 115-124 || Q12 

    Q38 71-88 || Q12 






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Thursday, October 2, 2025

Dispersal & Migration


The Cow (2:164)


إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلَّتِى تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍۢ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍۢ وَتَصْرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْقِلُونَ ١٦٤

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, and the [great] ships which sail through the sea with that which benefits people, and what Allāh has sent down from the heavens of rain, giving life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and dispersing therein every [kind of] moving creature, and [His] directing of the winds and the clouds controlled between the heaven and earth are signs for a people who use reason.

— Saheeh International

بے شک آسمانوں اور زمین کی بناوٹ میں اور رات اور دن کے آنے جانے میں اور ان کشتیوں میں جو انسانوں کے کام آنے والی چیزیں لے کر سمندر میں چلتی ہیں ، اور اس پانی میں جس کو اللہ نے آسمان سے اتارا پھر اس سے مردہ زمین کو زندگی بخشی اور اس نے زمین میں سب قسم کے جانور پھیلادئے اور ہواؤں کی گردش میں اور بادلوں میں جو آسمان اور زمین کے درمیان حکم کے تابع ہیں ، ان لوگوں کے ليے نشانیاں ہیں جو عقل سے کام لیتے ہیں

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/2/164]


The dispersal of moving creatures is among the signs for those who use reason. 

Dispersal of moving creatures across the Earth is clearly evident. 

Annual migrations of some creatures is an observed and well-studied phenomenon. 

Dispersal is the moving away of creatures from their place of birth, while migration involves the moving away and then return of the individual to its place of departure, or in some cases, generational return, for example monarch butterflies. 

The Quran also mentions human movements across land and sea: 

The Night Journey (17:70)


۞ وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنَـٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَفَضَّلْنَـٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍۢ مِّمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيلًۭا ٧٠

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.

— Saheeh International

اور ہم نے آدم کی اولاد کو عزت دی اور ہم نے ان کو خشکی اور تری میں سوار کیا اور ان کو پاکیزہ چیزوں کا رزق دیا اور ہم نے ان کو اپنی بہت سی مخلوقات پر فوقیت دی

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

[https://quran.com/17/70]


Adam was sent to Earth. His progeny are dispersed across the Earth. The Quran promises the Believers who are reformed of a return to Gardens of Eternity in the Skies. So, it is a generational migration of sorts for all Bani Adam who are allowed the return journey. 

So, studying the narratives in The Quran through the lens of travel, dispersal and migration of humans, the following are some examples: 


In Surah Yusuf, we read about the childhood separation (natal dispersal?) of Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام) from his family. Then, after several years, we read about the travel of the brothers to Egypt (adult dispersal?) in search of food during the years of famine. Eventually, we read about the migration of Jacob (Israel (Yaqub عليه السلام)) and all his sons (Bani Israel) and their entire family to Egypt. 


From Genesis 47 29-30 and 49 29-32, we read about Jacob (Israel (Yaqub عليه السلام))'s request to be buried where his fathers are buried (Canaan). Similarly, in Genesis 50 25, we read about Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام)'s request that his bones are carried off to be buried with his fathers, when Allah rescues the Bani Israel from bondage. 

 

In Surah alQasas, and other places in The Quran, we read about Moses (Musa عليه السلام) being thrown in water (natal dispersal), and being taken up by the Pharaoh and his wife; his reunification with his mother; his migration from Egypt to Madyan (refugee, adult dispersal); his serving for eight to ten pilgrimages (annual seasonal migrations); his return to Pharaoh's court as Messenger of Allah (adult dispersal turning into migration, as in returning to the point of departure); we also read about the Exodus (mass migration) of the Bani Israel from Egypt towards Canaan.  


In Surah atTawbah, we read about the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companion Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه . In Surah alFath, we read about his temporary return to Makkah (place of departure). 


In Surah alIsra, we read about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ travel (pilgrimage, migration) to beyond the seven skies to meet Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ , and his return to Earth. In other places in The Quran, we read about Adam et al being sent to Earth (dispersal), and Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) and Enoch (Idris عليه السلام) being raised up (dispersal). We believe that Jesus (Isa عليه السلام) will return, completing his migration. According to Christian sources, Enoch (Idris عليه السلام) and Elijah (Ilyas عليه السلام) will also return to Earth, both of whom had ascended into the skies alive.  


In Surah alIsra, we read about Bani Israel being the seed of those carried (dispersed) with Prophet Noah (Nuh عليه السلام) in the Ark. 

In Surah alIsra, we also read about Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى dispersing (exiling) the Bani Israel from the land that they were given; and the end-time promise of collecting the Bani Israel back in the land from where they were dispersed (Jewish migration).  


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Related Posts:

Broadcast, Telecast, Disperse 

Human: Body or Soul? 

Humans & The Human Condition 


Muhammad ﷺ – Ascension & Return 

Thunderbolts 


Detailed Guidance in Surah alKahf 


External Links:

Video: 

Migration throughout human history | Nobel Week Dialogue 2023 | The Future of Migration 


UN Migration: IOM: Fundamentals of migration 


Last updated on: October 9, 2025


Thursday, November 24, 2022

People with Horn like growths on their Head

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The Possessor of Two Horns 

In Surah al-Kahf, we learn about a person with the name / title 'ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ'  

The following is an excerpt from: Dhu al Qarnayn visited the Polar Regions? [as on November 25, 2022]

Who was Dhu al Qarnayn? 

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَن ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ ۖ قُلْ سَأَتْلُو عَلَيْكُم مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا

[Al-Quran 18:83, Translator: Mohammad Sarwar] (Muhammad), they will ask you about Dhu 'l-Qarnayn. Say, "I shall tell you something about him". 

‘Dhu al Qarnayn’ is the name or the title/attribute of this person. 

The Quran uses the word قَرْنٍ to generally mean generations. Variations of the root ق ر ن also lend meaning to words for companion, bound together, capable, accompanying. Of the twenty-three times it is used as the noun qarn (قَرْن), twenty are translated as generation(s), and thrice is it used for the name of the person ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ mentioned in Surah al-Kahf (Q18:83, 86, 94). More on this at: Dhul-Qarnayn [two horns, two generations, or both] 

One of the meanings of ‘q-r-n’ in Lane’s Lexicon is ‘The part of the head of a human being which in an animal is the place where the horn grows’. ‘Qarnayn’ is the dual form of the noun. Various commentators have interpreted ‘Dhu al Qarnayn’ as the ‘Lord of the Two Horns’ or ‘Possessor of the Two Horns’. 

... 

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Horns & Horn-like Growths 

Quoting Wikipedia page Horns [as on November 25, 2022] 

A horn is a permanent pointed projection on the head of various animals that consists of a covering of keratin and other proteins surrounding a core of live bone. ...

Quoting Wikipedia page Cutaneous horn [as on November 25, 2022] 

Cutaneous horns, also known by the Latin name cornu cutaneum, are unusual keratinous skin tumors with the appearance of horns, or sometimes of wood or coral. Formally, this is a clinical diagnosis for a "conical projection above the surface of the skin. ...

The Cutaneous horn page lists the names of a few famous cases. Searching for the name at the top of the list reveals many images of this Chinese lady, and of a few other people as well. The following is a screenshot from the Google Images search for: zhang ruifang horn 



An Ancient Greek coin

Silver tetradrachmon(ancient Greek coin) issued in the name of Alexander the Great, depicting Alexander with the horns of Ammon-Ra(242/241 BC, posthumous issue). Displayed at the British Museum.
Wikipedia [as on November 27, 2022] 
Attribution: By Unknown, original uploader was Zeno of Elea at en.wikipedia - http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/ImagesofAlexander/Antiquity_Coins_Alex.html ; transferred from en.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:MARKELLOS using CommonsHelper., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8793631 

The above coin depicts the famous conqueror Alexander as having two horns. Horns have been associated with strength, both with evil and with good. 

Moses is also depicted with two horns, in a famous statue: 


Michelangelo's Moses
Attribution: By Michelangelo - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46476418 

Quoting Wikipedia  page Moses (Michelangelo) [as on November 27, 2022]:

Following the iconographic convention common in Latin Christianity, the statue has two horns on its head.[6][8][9][10][11]

The depiction of a horned Moses stems from the description of Moses' face as "cornuta" ("horned") in the Latin Vulgate translation of the passage found at Exodus chapter 34, specifically verses 29, 30 and 35, in which Moses returns to the people after receiving the commandments for the second time.[12] The Douay-Rheims Bible translates the Vulgate as, "And when Moses came down from the Mount Sinai, he held the two tablets of the testimony, and he knew not that his face was horned from the conversation of the Lord."[13]

Quoting Wikipedia page Moses, Notre Dame (a more recent sculpture) [as on November 27, 2022]:  

Moses is an outdoor bronze sculpture by Croatian artist Josip Turkalj.[1] It is located at the main campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, just outside of the Hesburgh Library. Owned by the University of Notre Dame and commissioned in 1962, the sculpture represents the prophet Moses.

Moses, University of Notre Dame

Attribution: By Eccekevin - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44762498
  

However, The Quran does not mention the breaking of the tablets, after the first descent from the mountain, nor the need for getting of the tablets a second time:   

وَاتَّخَذَ قَوۡمُ مُوۡسٰى مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِهٖ مِنۡ حُلِيِّهِمۡ عِجۡلًا جَسَدًا لَّهٗ خُوَارٌ​ ؕ اَلَمۡ يَرَوۡا اَنَّهٗ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمۡ وَلَا يَهۡدِيۡهِمۡ سَبِيۡلًا ۘ اِتَّخَذُوۡهُ وَكَانُوۡا ظٰلِمِيۡنَ‏ 

وَلَـمَّا سُقِطَ فِىۡۤ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَرَاَوۡا اَنَّهُمۡ قَدۡ ضَلُّوۡا ۙ قَالُوۡا لَٮِٕنۡ لَّمۡ يَرۡحَمۡنَا رَبُّنَا وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا لَنَكُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِيۡنَ‏  

وَلَمَّا رَجَعَ مُوۡسٰٓى اِلٰى قَوۡمِهٖ غَضۡبَانَ اَسِفًا ۙ قَالَ بِئۡسَمَا خَلَفۡتُمُوۡنِىۡ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِىۡ ۚ اَعَجِلۡتُمۡ اَمۡرَ رَبِّكُمۡ​ ۚ وَاَلۡقَى الۡاَلۡوَاحَ وَاَخَذَ بِرَاۡسِ اَخِيۡهِ يَجُرُّهٗۤ اِلَيۡهِ​ؕ قَالَ ابۡنَ اُمَّ اِنَّ الۡـقَوۡمَ اسۡتَضۡعَفُوۡنِىۡ وَكَادُوۡا يَقۡتُلُوۡنَنِىۡ ​ۖ  فَلَا تُشۡمِتۡ بِىَ الۡاَعۡدَآءَ وَ لَا تَجۡعَلۡنِىۡ مَعَ الۡقَوۡمِ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ‏ 

قَالَ رَبِّ اغۡفِرۡ لِىۡ وَلِاَخِىۡ وَ اَدۡخِلۡنَا فِىۡ رَحۡمَتِكَ ​ۖ 

 وَاَنۡتَ اَرۡحَمُ الرّٰحِمِيۡنَ

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ اتَّخَذُوا الۡعِجۡلَ سَيَنَالُهُمۡ غَضَبٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّهِمۡ وَذِلَّـةٌ فِى الۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا​ ؕ وَكَذٰلِكَ نَجۡزِىۡ الۡمُفۡتَرِيۡنَ‏ 

وَالَّذِيۡنَ عَمِلُوا السَّيِّاٰتِ ثُمَّ تَابُوۡا مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِهَا وَاٰمَنُوۡۤا

 اِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِهَا لَغَفُوۡرٌ رَّحِيۡمٌ‏ 

وَلَـمَّا سَكَتَ عَنۡ مُّوۡسَى الۡغَضَبُ اَخَذَ الۡاَلۡوَاحَ 

 وَفِىۡ نُسۡخَتِهَا هُدًى وَّرَحۡمَةٌ لِّـلَّذِيۡنَ هُمۡ لِرَبِّهِمۡ يَرۡهَبُوۡنَ‏

And the people of Moses made, after [his departure], from their ornaments a calf - an image having a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to a way? They took it [for worship], and they were wrongdoers.

And when regret overcame them1 and they saw that they had gone astray, they said, "If our Lord does not have mercy upon us and forgive us, we will surely be among the losers."

And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]. Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?" And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, indeed the people overpowered me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me1 and do not place me among the wrongdoing people."

[Moses] said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother and admit us into Your mercy, for You are the most merciful of the merciful."

Indeed, those who took the calf [for worship] will obtain anger from their Lord and humiliation in the life of this world, and thus do We recompense the inventors [of falsehood].

But those who committed misdeeds and then repented after them and believed - indeed your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.

And when the anger subsided in Moses, he took up the tablets; and in their inscription was guidance and mercy for those who are fearful of their Lord.

[Al-Quran 7:148-154, Translation: Saheeh International]

The Quran does however go on to mention another appointment for which Moses selected seventy men: 

وَاخۡتَارَ مُوۡسٰى قَوۡمَهٗ سَبۡعِيۡنَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيۡقَاتِنَا​ ۚ فَلَمَّاۤ اَخَذَتۡهُمُ الرَّجۡفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوۡ شِئۡتَ اَهۡلَـكۡتَهُمۡ مِّنۡ قَبۡلُ وَاِيَّاىَ​ ؕ اَ تُهۡلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّا ۚ اِنۡ هِىَ اِلَّا فِتۡنَـتُكَ ؕ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَنۡ تَشَآءُ وَتَهۡدِىۡ مَنۡ تَشَآءُ ​ؕ اَنۡتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَارۡحَمۡنَا​ وَاَنۡتَ خَيۡرُ الۡغَافِرِيۡنَ‏  

And Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our appointment. And when the earthquake seized them,2 he said, "My Lord, if You had willed, You could have destroyed them before and me [as well]. Would You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is not but Your trial by which You send astray whom You will and guide whom You will. You are our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us; and You are the best of forgivers.

[Al-Quran 7:155, Translation: Saheeh International]

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Real Horns in Humans 

However, humans do have real horn-like bony extensions in their neck. 

The following is an excerpt from: Our Record in Our Neck [as on November 25, 2022]  

Horns in The Neck 
The Bible refers to the horns in the neck, commanding that humans keep it lowered:

Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.'"
[Psalm 75:5, Translation: New American Standard Bible]

And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.
[Psalm 75:10, Translation: New American Standard Bible]



The Hyoid Bone in the Human Neck 
Anatomography [CC BY-SA 2.1 jp]

According to a study published in 2016: 
The hyoid bone plays an important role in the functions of speaking, swallowing, prevention of regurgitation, and airway maintenance ... 

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Dhu al Qarnayn  

Legend has it that there were two Dhu al Qarnayns. One was a Muslim king at the time of Prophet Abraham,  the other was the pagan Alexander the Greek. 

Then again, it has been quoted that his title was not because of horn-like growths, but rather due to injuries, which left scars on both sides of his head.  

Yet others quote the passage from Daniel 8 20 (Arabic: اما الكبش الذي رأيته ذا القرنين فهو ملوك مادي وفارس) that the two horns represent the kings of Medes and Persia. This ayat mentions two kings of two countries, not the one person who united the two empires.  

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Last updated on: November 29, 2025


Saturday, July 13, 2019

Wal-ʿAṣri (وَالْعَصْرِ)

 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Say, "He (is) Allah, the One.
Allah, the Eternal, the Absolute.
Not He begets and not He is begotten.
And not is for Him equivalent any [one]."
[Al-Quran Surah al-Ikhlas]


Abstract
The usage of the root ʿayn ṣād rā (ع ص ر) across The Quran and some quotes from The Bible.    


Full Text 



وَالْعَصْرِ
إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

wal-ʿaṣri
inna l-insāna lafī khus'rin
illā alladhīna āmanū waʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti watawāṣaw bil-ḥaqi watawāṣaw bil-ṣabri
[Al-Quran 103:1-3; Transliteration]


The Quran declares by وَالْعَصْرِ that all humans are in loss except those who meet the minimum four requirements as listed in Q103:3, that is belief, acts of reform, advice the truth and advise patience. These have been extensively discussed by the scholars, as we all need to worry about whether we meet this basic criteria or not.

The word وَالْعَصْرِ is generally translated as time. However, looking at the usage of the root ʿayn ṣād rā (ع ص ر) in the following ayat:

Screenshot from corpus.quran.com

Curiously, wal-ʿaṣri is translated as 'By the time', when the rest of the words formed with the same root seem to convey a very different meaning, more in the sense of some physical phenomenon. 

The Bible foretells about a whirlwind:  

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished In whirlwind and storm is His way, And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 

"But who has stood in the council of the LORD, That he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened?
"Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone forth in wrath, Even a whirling tempest; It will swirl down on the head of the wicked.
"The anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; In the last days you will clearly understand it.


The Quran questions: 

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ

Are they waiting [except] that comes to them Allah in (the) shadows of [the] clouds, and the Angels, and is decreed the matter? And to Allah return (all) the matters. 
[Al-Quran 2:210] 




Last updated on: July 18, 2019

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Our Record in Our Neck

Abstract 
Surah al-Isra clearly mentions that all humans have their fate tied to their neck. The Bible also mentions the neck and the lowering of the horns in humility and submission. There exists a bone in the neck which is not joined directly with the rest of the skeleton, but is held in place by muscles. It is involved in many key functions. It also contains two pairs of horns. 


Full Text 

وَكُلَّ إِنسَانٍ أَلْزَمْنَاهُ طَائِرَهُ فِي عُنُقِهِ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كِتَابًا يَلْقَاهُ مَنشُورًا
اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا 

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. 
[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is your nafs against you this Day as accountant." 
[Al-Quran 17:13-14, Translator: Sahih International (edited to retain word nafs in italics)] 

The Quran repeatedly reminds us that our eternal life will be in accordance with our faith and deeds. The ayaat quoted above from Surah al-Isra clearly mentions that all humans have their fate tied to their neck, recording in detail, and will be produced for us to read on the Day of Resurrection.

Some important points made in these ayaat are: 

  • all humans have their fate with them 
  • its tied to their necks 
  • the root letters of the word for fate shares its root with the word for birds 
  • this will be taken out on the Day of Resurrection 
  • it will be readable on that Day 
  • we will be commanded to read it 
  • our Nafs will itself be sufficient to take account of our deeds 

In Surah Qaf, we read:

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ
إِذْ يَتَلَقَّى الْمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
وَجَاءَتْ سَكْرَةُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنتَ مِنْهُ تَحِيدُ

And certainly We created man and We know what whispers to him his nafs, and We (are) nearer to him than (his) habli alwareedi.
When receive the two receivers on the right and on the left seated.
Not he utters any word but with him (is) an observer ready.
And will come (the) stupor (of) death in truth, "That (is) what you were [from it] avoiding."

[Al-Quran 50:16-19, first translation at link (edited to retain arabic words in italics)] 
[Note on habli alwareedi at bottom of this post] 


In Surah al-Waqiah, we read

تَنزِيلٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
أَفَبِهَٰذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ
وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ
فَلَوْلَا إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ
وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍ تَنظُرُونَ
وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ
فَلَوْلَا إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ
تَرْجِعُونَهَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

A Revelation from (the) Lord (of) the worlds.
Then is it to this statement that you (are) indifferent?
And you make your provision that you deny.
Then why not when it reaches the throat,
And you (at) that time look on,
And We (are) nearer to him than you but you (do) not see,
Then why not, if you are not to be recompensed,
Bring it back, if you are truthful.
[Al-Quran 56:80-87]


It seems that this record is removed at the time of death. In Surah al-Hajj, The Quran challenges the unbeliever of trying to cut off to see if it removes what enrages him:

مَن كَانَ يَظُنُّ أَن لَّن يَنصُرَهُ اللَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ بِسَبَبٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ لْيَقْطَعْ فَلْيَنظُرْ هَلْ يُذْهِبَنَّ كَيْدُهُ مَا يَغِيظُ

[Al-Quran 22:15] 
Variously translated as: 
[Muhammad Asad] If anyone thinks that God will not succour him in this world and in the life to come, let him reach out unto heaven by any [other] means and [thus try to] make headway: and then let him see whether this scheme of his will indeed do away with the cause of his anguish.
[Abdul Majid Daryabadi] Whosoever hath been imagining that Allah shall not make him victorious in the world and the Hereafter, let him stretch a cord up to the heaven and let him cut it, and let him look if his stratagem can do away that whereat he enrageth.  
[Sahih International] Whoever should think that Allah will not support [Prophet Muhammad] in this world and the Hereafter - let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath], and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?    

The Bible also mentions the neck and the lowering of the horns in humility and submission.

There exists a bone in the neck which is not joined directly with the rest of the skeleton, but is held in place by muscles. It is involved in many key functions. It also contains two pairs of horns. Interestingly, variations in its shape and size are being noted in emerging studies.



Hanging around The Neck
The Bible teaches to bind good around the neck:

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
[Proverbs 3:3, Translation: New American Standard Bible]


My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother;  Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck.
[Proverbs 6:20-21, Translation: New American Standard Bible]


Of course, the heart does enjoy a central place in the scriptures. We also know that its muscle is shaped like a double helix, as discussed in another post. 



Horns in The Neck 
The Bible refers to the horns in the neck, commanding that humans keep it lowered:

Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride.'"
[Psalm 75:5, Translation: New American Standard Bible]

And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, But the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.
[Psalm 75:10, Translation: New American Standard Bible]



The Hyoid Bone in the Human Neck 
Anatomography [CC BY-SA 2.1 jp]

According to a study published in 2016: 
The hyoid bone plays an important role in the functions of speaking, swallowing, prevention of regurgitation, and airway maintenance [1, 2]. Deviations in its position relative to the mandible or larynx, or in its angle of placement, can have significant ramifications for these important functions [2, 3]. The hyoid bone changes its position relative to the vertebrae during normal growth and development. In infancy, the hyoid bone lies just anteriorly to the second and third cervical vertebrae, and eventually lowers to the level of the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae in adults [3]. Hyoid bone descent occurs concurrently with descent of functionally related structures, namely the larynx and epiglottis [4]. The only bone in the body that is free-floating, the hyoid bone maintains attachment with the mandible, tongue, styloid processes, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, clavicles, and sternum by ligament and muscle attachments [1]. Hyoid bone anatomy and physiology have been well documented due to the diverse nature of the muscle attachment sites as well as the multiple important functions that the hyoid bone supports. However, the precise nature and timing of hyoid bone fusion during the course of development has been less documented. ...  


As can be seen in the animation below, the Hyoid is not connected directly with the rest of the skeleton. 



The following shows how the hyoid bone is tied in place with muscles: 

Hyoid Bone & Muscles in the Neck
Page URL
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain]



Shape and Size Details
Interestingly, emerging studies are reporting variations in the shape and size of the Hyoid bone. Though the focus of the researches are variations based on gender, height, weight, etc., however, to cite from a 2018 report: 
Given the significance of being able to do this, a relatively complex categorization system has been developed for various known shapes of the hyoid. Remarkably, it has been noted that 60% of hyoid bones still do not fit into one of these commonly described categories  


Note on habli alwareedi

 وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِ نَفْسُهُ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ

And certainly We created man and We know what whispers to him his nafs, and We (are) nearer to him than (his) habli alwareedi.
[Al-Quran 50:16, first translation at link (edited to retain arabic words in italics)] 


The phrase habli alwareedi is generally translated as jugular vein, but as can be seen in page 2936 of Lane's Lexicon (screenshot below), the phrase has been variously understood.  
However, if it is treated as two separate words, and not a phrase, then: 
Habl is generally translated as rope, and among the shades of meaning employed by the root wāw rā dāl (و ر د) are passing over, rose-coloured, came or led, etc. as can be seen in the screenshots below. 

Looking at how the Hyoid Bone is tied in place by the muscles (above) and the colour of the muscles, and/or the proximity of the carotid artery and jugular vein to the Hyoid Bone (below), all three meanings point towards the same bone. 




Veins in the Neck 
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain] 


Arteries in the Neck
Page URL
Attribution: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain] 
By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See "Book" section below)Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 513, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=559527


 Screenshot from corpus.quran.com  
Screenshot from corpus.quran.com 

 Screenshot from Lane's Lexicon 



Hadith Nabwi ﷺ  


Hadith 11

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

عَلَيْكَ بِحُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ وَطُولِ الصَّمْتِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ مَا عَمِلَ الْخَلائِقُ عَمَلا أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْهُمَا

You must have good character and observe long periods of silence. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, no one can behave with deeds more beloved to Allah than these two.

Source: Shu’ab al-Imān 4591, Grade: Hasan


Hadith 21

‘Amr ibn ‘Absah reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is Islam?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

أَنْ يُسْلِمَ قَلْبُكَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَأَنْ يَسْلَمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِكَ وَيَدِكَ

That you surrender your heart to Allah and that Muslims are safe from your tongue and hand.

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 17027, Grade: Sahih 




Last updated on: August 13, 2022
 

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

The Language of The Birds

...  He has commanded that you worship not except Him. ... [Q12:40]




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.  


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."
[Al-Quran 27:20-28]

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
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.
[Al-Quran 38:17-20, Translation: Sahih International]


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. 
[Al-Quran 6:38, Translation: Sahih International]


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:
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:
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

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).
[Al-Quran 32:23-30, Translation: Pickthall]


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].
[Al-Quran 2:37-42, Translation: Sahih International]

...





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