Does an animal have a mind?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
God has made intellect the basis of accountability and has distinguished humans with it. Arabs differentiate in their speech between the intelligent and the unintelligent, for animals do not possess intellect. God has bestowed upon animals instinct to guide them to what benefits them and to avoid what harms them, as He, the Almighty, said: "Our Lord is He who gave each thing its creation, then guided it" (Taha: 50). This is so that animals may fulfill their role in serving humans. Based on this, it is not said that animals have intellect.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/93334
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 93334
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy