Reply of the Mule

“...benefit from them, eat them, and make warm clothing from their skins and hair; in the morning send them to the pasture, and in the evening bring them back again to their shelters; they are a source of beauty and ornament for you.” original: Qur'an, Surah 16:5-6 And in another place he has said: “On the dry land and on the sea, ride upon camels and in ships.” original: Qur'an, Surah 23:22 And in another place he has said: “Horses, mules, and donkeys were created so that you might ride on them;” original: Qur'an, Surah 16:8 and again he has said: “Ride upon their backs, and remember the blessings of God.” original: Qur'an, Surah 43:12-13 Besides this, many other verses of the Qur'an have been revealed on this subject, and it is also understood from the Bible and the New Testament that animals were made for our sake. In every way, we are their masters and they are our slaves.”

The King then turned toward the animals and said, “This man has brought forward verses of the Qur'an to support his claim. In reply to this, speak whatever comes to your minds.”

Having heard this, the Mule, with a ready tongue, delivered this speech:

“Praise is due to the majesty of the One, holy, ancient of days, and free from want, who existed before the foundation of the world, not confined by time nor by place. By the utterance of a single ‘BE,’ original: Kun—the divine command of creation in Islamic theology He made all creatures manifest from behind the veil of obscurity original: Chaos. Having fashioned the sky from water and fire, He gave it the dignity of loftiness. Having brought forth the race of Adam from a drop of water, He sent them here and there in the world so that they might engage in its cultivation, but not to ruin it. They were meant to protect the animals in a proper manner and benefit from them, not to tyrannize over them and oppress them.”

After this, the Mule proceeded to say, “It is not to be understood...”

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