Why was Prophet Solomon not merciful to animals, even though Islam commands mercy towards them, based on the noble verses: {Then he began to slash [their] legs and necks} [Ṣād: 33], and the Almighty's saying on Solomon's tongue regarding the hoopoe: {I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him or he will bring me a clear justification} [An-Naml: 21]?

The actions of Solomon (peace be upon him) regarding the horses and his threat to the hoopoe do not contradict kindness to animals. Prophets are the most pious and merciful of people. Commentators have differed concerning the Almighty's saying: "So he began to stroke their legs and necks." Some said that he stroked them out of love and honor, while others said that he cut off their legs and necks with a sword because they had caused him to miss the prayer. The latter is more likely, as it is consistent with the context, where he punished himself by destroying what had distracted him from the remembrance of his Lord. This was permissible in his law. Furthermore, Solomon (peace be upon him) only threatened the hoopoe unless it came with a clear justification, and this is a natural thing for a leader to do with his soldier. Indeed, Solomon's (peace be upon him) actions were utterly wise and reasonable. The concept of kindness to animals and respect for human rights should stem from religion, for Islam honored humans and urged kindness to animals.