Mantiqa al-Tayr
Definition
Mantiqa al-tayr — the language of birds, or literally 'the logic or speech of birds' — is the extraordinary knowledge Allah granted to Sulayman, enabling him to understand the communication of every bird species. The Quran narrates his gratitude upon receiving this gift: 'O people, we have been taught the speech of birds and given from all things.' When an ant warned its colony to descend into its homes before Sulayman's army crushed them, Sulayman heard the ant's words, smiled, and immediately thanked Allah. Ibn Kathir uses this episode to illustrate one of the most consistent qualities of genuine prophethood: the more extraordinary the gift, the more profound the humility and gratitude it produces in its recipient.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
Appears in
1 book in the library
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