The “Qura’n has mentioned another kind of knowledge for Solomon which seems strange at first for it speaks about talking to the birds and understanding them. Verse 16 of Surah Naml (and not Verse 16 of Surah Nahl as in the Arabic text) says:

“And Solomon was David heir. He said, “O people! We have been taught the speech of the birds.”

There is a great discussion about it:

Is it true that the animals talk (meaningfully)? How is their speech? Is their dialogue the same in various conditions or does the condition change them?

There is no doubt that the birds have different voices according to their capacity in different conditions, like happiness, anger, hunger thirst disease and dangers. It is true that those who study their conditions do understand them.

But it is farfetched to assume that this is the meaning conveyed in these verses because they speak about something very profound. Our discussion is about their conversation with man and that too about lofty meanings.

Some people consider all these symbolic references to be frivolous and they say it is impossible for animals to speak meaningfully. But the knowledge of Solomon about their speech and his conversation with them is God’s miracle and tells us about this special knowledge.

There is another Question. Can the birds convey such specific messages like the hoopoe who said that the Queen Saba worshipped the sun and not God?

This mystery of life has been discussed by the scholars mentioning the intelligence and the profound understanding of the birds about things.

Indeed these discussions by the scholars have told us that the birds and animals have the natural capacity to detect in the surroundings the impending perilous events though mankind despite his technical ability and superiority is unable to do so. The birds are able to understand the impending disasters months before they take place.

Since the animals understand the impending perils they take appropriate actions for events like earthquakes but mankind is still unable to do so despite all his preparations.

The honey bees talk to each other in different tones when they hover on the flowers to gather material for honey. The life of the ant also tells us something profound. The same can be said about the strange flight of the migrating birds each year and they are also able to know the fate of the eggs in their nests. They are able to gather the provisions necessary though they have no previous experience about it plus other talents and traits mentioned by the scholars. This tells us that one should not be surprised to know that the animals talk to each other for they have the basics of their language.

Many Qura’nic verses tell us that the animals to have intelligence and understanding contrary to what is normally understood us by us. Some people have gone to the extent to believe that not only the animals but the minerals too have a little intelligence and we are told about their incantations of God’s praise. We have discussed these points at other time and place but here we are busy in discussing the fact that the Apostles of God used to talk to the animals though having this knowledge is not necessary for the fulfillment of their duties as apostles but is a glorification of their persona and their status.