How can we reconcile what is stated in the Quran—that animals speak like humans, such as in His Almighty’s saying: "We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth, that will speak to them"—and that ants speak, as understood by Prophet Solomon, with what has been scientifically discovered: that ant communication occurs through chemical substances, and that language is exclusive to humans?

This problem is resolved by differentiating between communication and language of understanding, and the usual human speech. The speech of non-humans and inanimate objects is a miracle, as in the yearning of the palm trunk for the Prophet and the greeting of the stone to him. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explained "the logic of the birds" and "the speech of the ants" as an inspiration through which animals understand each other's intent. Interpreters have differed on the true nature of the logic of birds; some considered it a metaphor or simile, or an inspired understanding, or a report from an angel. The correct view is that it is an extraordinary miracle, for Allah makes skins speak, and subjects mountains and birds to glorify Him, and Hell speaks, and Solomon understood the logic of the birds and the speech of the ants, and the poisoned arm spoke to the Messenger.