By Mr Allah Dad Khan Former D.G ,Agriculture Extension KPK Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar

1. Miracles of birds
A Report
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan

2. Abraham’s and miracles
Prophet Abraham’s story with the birds is one of the most
turned to stories in the Quran. The theme it evokes
touches the soul of all of us who seek a kind of reassurance
birdthat satisfies our natural desires for both belief and
proof.

3. Abraham’s and miracles
contd
The Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) asks: “My Lord, show me
how You give life to the dead.” He said, “Do you not
believe?” He said, “I do! But this is so my heart may be
calm.” He said, “Then take four birds and draw them to
you. Then place a part of them on each mountain. Then
call them; they shall come to you in a rush. And know that
indeed Allah is overpowering, all-wise” (Quran, 2:260).

4. Abraham’s and miracles
contd
The most popular interpretation of this verse is that
Abraham was ordered to take these birds and to physically
cut them into pieces and to place each of these pieces on
separate mountains. When Abraham called to them, Allah
caused their parts to be rejoined and refilled with pulse
and life.

5. Abraham’s and miracles
contd
They then flew to Abraham with a speed that showed no
sign of trauma—no sign that they had just been
dismembered and scattered. And in this way did God show
His prophet how He gives life to the dead. Abraham did not
have doubt; what he wanted to know was “how” Allah gives
life to the dead. Abraham had certainty that Allah gives life
and causes death. What he sought was a higher level of
certainty which involved his heart and eyes.

6. Jesus and Miracles
[Jesus said]: “Truly, I have come to you with a sign from
your Lord, that I create for you a bird-like figure out of
mud. Then I blow into it, and it becomes a bird—by Allah’s
permission (Quran, 3:49). Allah said, “O Jesus, son of
Maryam, remember My grace upon you and upon your
mother when I aided you with the Holy Spirit so that you
may speak to people in the cradle and as a grown man; and
I taught you the Book and the wisdom and the Torah and
the Gospel; and you created out of mud a bird-like figure—
by My permission; then you blew into it, thus it became a
bird—by My permission (Quran, 5:110).

7. Jesus and Miracles contd
Jesus was never unclear of his role; never unsure of his
humanity; never confused about the fact that God is God,
and nothing else is or ever was to any degree. The miracles
that came at his hands were by the power, permission, and
grace of his Lord, Allah the Exalted, who aided His Prophet
with miracles so that the people would heed his words and
follow his mission.

8. Jesus and Miracles contd
One of the miracles bestowed upon Jesus is him taking a
clump of clay and shaping it into the form of a bird. When
Jesus blew into it, this clay became a live bird—a miracle
from Allah.

9. Solomon and the Hoopoe
Animals have the ability to communicate with their kind,
from the chemical secretions of worms sending messages to
other worms to the songs of birds that warn or attract.
Communication is essential for the survival of all creatures.
Prophet Solomon was blessed with the ability to understand
the utterances of animals, a miraculous ability to interpret
otherwise unintelligible sounds in a way that was as clear
to him as human language.

10. Solomon and the Hoopoe contd
And Solomon was the heir of David, and he said, “O people,
we have been taught the utterance of birds, and we have
been given of everything. Indeed, this is a manifest favor”
(Quran, 27:16). There was one bird that was especially
noted in the Quran. It was a hoopoe. Hoopoes are a family
of birds that typically have long thin beaks and a crested
head.

11. Solomon and the Hoopoe contd
The hoopoe in Solomon’s court was his personal messenger.
And [Solomon] reviewed the birds, and he said, “Why do I
not see the hoopoe, or is he of those absent? I shall surely
punish him severely or slay him, or he must come to me
with a clear excuse.” But [the hoopoe] was not long in
coming, and it said, “I have found out what you have not
apprehended, and I come to you from Sheba with tidings!”
(Quran, 27:20-22).

12. Solomon and the Hoopoe contd
The bird reported to Solomon that it came across a
kingdom ruled by a powerful and wealthy woman, Queen
Sheba, who had a magnificent throne. But she and her
people, as the hoopoe reported, bowed to the sun in
worship, a fact that disturbed Solomon. Solomon sent a
letter with the hoopoe to give to the Queen herself,
inviting her and her people to the worship of the one and
true God. All of his happened through the auspices of one
special bird. Ultimately, Queen Sheba renounced idolatry
and joined Solomon in the worship of God.

13. David and Birds Glorifying God
And We subjugated the mountains and the birds to give
glory along with David (Quran, 27:79); And indeed, We gave
David a great favor from Us: “O mountains and birds,
repeat with him [My praises]!” (Quran, 34:10); And We
subjugated the mountains to give glory [to God], along with
[David], in the evenings and at sunrise, and the birds in
assembly (Quran, 38:18-19).

14. David and Birds Glorifying God
contd
These wondrous verses tell of three levels of worship and
the glorification of God and reminds its reader that this
world, all of it (what see and do not see), gives glory to
Allah, the Creator and Sustainer. These verses, however,
tell specifically of three kinds of glorification. First is the
glorification of the mountains, that is, inanimate creation
composed of inanimate smaller parts.

15. David and Birds Glorifying God
contd
Second is the glorification of birds, animate life forms
whose songs and way of life give glory to Allah without
error. Third is the glorification of David , a human being
with the ability to chose to glorify Allah or not; a creature
whose expression of glorification comes in the form of
words, the highest level of communication among Allah’s
creatures

16. David and Birds Glorifying God
contd
All three kinds of creatures have been commanded to give
glory to Allah through the “language” that matches each
creation. We should note also that David was well known
for the beauty of his voice, a melodic splendor from the
throat and tongue of a great Prophet of Allah.

17. David and Birds Glorifying
God contd
The Prophet Muhammad once said to Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari,
his Companion who was exceptionally gifted in the
recitation of the Quran: “You have been given a mizmâr
[exceptional sense of melody] from the family of David,”
that is, a melodious voice that could bring people to tears.