In Qur’anic terminology...

In Qur’anic terminology, umma is group of people that a single cause, such as religion, path, time, or place has gathered together;[^16] thus, the people who believe in a prophet are regarded as that prophet’s umma .[^17] From the viewpoint of the Holy Qur’an, all people were a single united community, who separated from each other due to the differences arising among them, a difference that can be resolved through obeying divine prophets.[^18] Since the Holy Qur’an has regarded animals as umma , we are to accept that there has been a kind of identity and unity among the animals in understanding the world of being, reaction to the Creator of being, the quality of life, and the finality and the purpose of life, and this has prompted the application of umma to them.[^19] 3.1.

Similarity of Animals and Humankind : It is implied from the phrase umamun amthalukum (communities like yourself) that the hashr of animals is the corollary of their similarity with human beings. Therefore, the question remains to be asked as to what the animals and human beings are identical in that they should be resurrected like human beings.

Although the term amthalukum suggests similarity of animals to humans, it is to be noted that this similarity is not in all aspects (states and affairs), for, it is not possible to ignore the structural and behavioral differences of animals and humans.[^20] Therefore, we are to be looking for a kind of likeness between them.

In explanation of the likeness between animals and humankind, some probabilities are set forth: Being divine creatures and denoting their Creator[^21] Needing someone to manage them in different aspects of their life[^22] Enjoying the capability of recognizing God, accepting the Oneness and worshipping of God[^23] Capability of grouping and having intra-group likeness and communication[^24] Stating different aspects of their lives in the Divine Scripture[^25] Resurrection on the Day of Judgment and gaining one’s rights ^26 God’s dispensing justice to them[^27] Tendency to accept inter-group training[^28] Existence of some ethical similarities between a group of human beings and animals.[^29] Although each one of these probabilities per se can be true in explaining likeness of animals to human beings, it does not seem necessary to translate this likeness as a specific behavior or feature common among them; rather, we have to accept that this similarity can be in any area that can be realized in the real world.[^30] 1.4.