AS FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF ANIMALITY and the fulfilment of lust, it is the observance of the ignorant, who are no different to all animals except in the uprightness of their stature and the speech of their tongues. Their only concern is merely to attain lust by whatever path leads them to it. These are animal souls that have not risen above it to the level of humanity, let alone the level of angels. Their condition is too vile to be mentioned and their conditions vary according to the diversity in the morals and natures of the animals they resemble.

Some are like dogs; if they came across a carcass that could feed a thousand dogs, they would pounce on it, protecting it from all other dogs. They would bark at any dog that approached it, so that no other dog would come near it except compelled by force. They wouldn't allow any other dog to eat anything. Their only concern is filling their bellies with whatever food they can find, whether it be carrion or ritually slaughtered meat, foul, or wholesome. They feel no shame from vile things, if you force them to eat, they pant; if you leave them alone, they pant. If you feed them, they wag their tails and circle around you; if you withhold food, they snarl and bark at you.

Others are donkey-like, created only for toil and fodder. The more fodder they receive, the more they toil. They are the dumbest of animals and the least insightful. This is why Allāh (سبحانه وتعالى), used them as an example of those who were given His Book but did not derive knowledge, understanding, or action from it. He also used them as an example of the wicked scholar to whom Allāh gave His signs, but who then abandoned them, clung to the earth, and followed his own desires.

Some people are like lions, their nature raging and their ambition to attack and subjugate others to the fullest extent of their power. Their nature demands this, just as a lion's nature demands its actions.

Others are like rats, inherently wicked and corrupt, spreading discord among those in their proximity.

Some are like venomous and poisonous creatures, such as snakes and scorpions. This type of person is the one who truly harms, causing a man to be buried alive and a camel to be cooked.

Some people’s nature is like that of pigs, passing by good things without a second thought, and then, when someone rises from his excrement, they sweep it up. Similarly, many people hear and see far more good qualities than bad ones, yet they neither remember nor repeat them, nor do they find them agreeable. But when they see a slip or a flawed remark, they seize upon it and make it their pastime and gossip.

Some are like peacocks, concerned only with strutting and adorning themselves with feathers, with nothing else to show for it.

And some are natured like camels, the most spiteful and hard-hearted of animals.

Some are like bears—mute and malicious—and others like monkeys.

The most praiseworthy of animal natures are those of horses, which are the noblest and most honorable of animals. The same applies to sheep.

Anyone who becomes accustomed to a particular breed of these animals acquires some of their characteristics and traits. If they eat their flesh, the resemblance is even stronger, for the one who feeds (off something) resembles that which is fed.

This is why Allāh has forbidden the eating of the flesh of predatory animals and birds of prey, because it instills in the one who eats it a resemblance to their nature. And Allāh knows best.