You said that the angels have intellects because Allah addressed them; so what is the answer regarding the addressing of some inanimate objects and others? Do they have intellects?
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The questioner : Shaykh, if someone says, "If you claim that the angels have intellects because Allah addressed them, what is the answer regarding the addressing of some animals, such as the ant to Sulayman? He said: [An-Naml 27:18]?"
The Shaykh : He addressed the earth.
The questioner : Yes...
The Shaykh : I had expected you to say that Allah said:[Fussilat 41:11] We would then say that these creatures, in relation to Allah (Mighty and Majestic), all have intellects. The default is that whoever Allah addresses is an intellect. However, if there are indications that the intellect is solely for the purpose of Allah addressing him, we believe in that. Otherwise, the default is that He does not address except one who has intellect.
The questioner : Does that apply to the earth?
The Shaykh : It does not apply, because what distinguishes the earth from that is that we observe it is not an intellect, but in relation to Allah's address, it is an intellect.
O ants, enter your dwellings
يا أيها النمل ادخلوا مساكنكمThe Shaykh : He addressed the earth.
The questioner : Yes...
The Shaykh : I had expected you to say that Allah said:
and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."
للأرض ائتيا طوعا وكرها قالتا أبينا طائعينThe questioner : Does that apply to the earth?
The Shaykh : It does not apply, because what distinguishes the earth from that is that we observe it is not an intellect, but in relation to Allah's address, it is an intellect.