Barbaric man versus the Rational Animal in the stories of the Qur’an

Abstract

This article aims to study some of the human and animal stories in the Holy Qur’an, where both seem to be similar in both positive and negative behavior. The study focuses mainly on human behavior which deviates from normal human behavior, doing bad deeds like irrational/barbaric behaviors. Humans in this type of behavior were then contrasted with animals, which do rational/civilized behaviors, opposing their animality. The comparison aims to modify human behavior to become a civilized and mature, differentiating between barbarism and civilization. Furthermore, the concept and image of savageness were clarified and highlighted, and how both should be related, as manifested in the stories studied. As revealed in the Holy Qur’an, humans should behave and distinguish themselves from animals. Animals in the stories represent civilized and disciplined humans, and they even surpass humans in their behavior. The study concludes that humans may fall into animalism and barbarism when they obey their lust and inhuman desires. A human should be distinguished from animals, and the only way of doing so is to behave according to the Holy Qur’an principles and teachings. As depicted in the stories, if animals can enhance their behavior to civilization, humans should do so, because they are expected to do everything good to all humanity. Humans also should be real guides in life having an eye widely opened upon how to make life and earth a better place for all creatures.