I have a question. The question is the following: There are 10 animals which will blessed with heaven by Allah Almighty. I want to know about those animals; which animals are they, and what is the reason for this blessing? Please tell me about these animals. I know about some: the dog which belonged to the youth of the cave, and the lamb which was sacrificed by Ibraheem (Abraham), peace be upon him. In this regard, I visited some mosques and met with some scholars, but I could not get the answer. Please answer my question. Regards.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Some interpreters of the Quran have mentioned what you said in the question. However, the matter of Paradise is among the matters of the Unseen, which can only be confirmed by revelation. Indeed, some scholars authoritatively asserted that there is no narration [Hadeeth] about this that can be relied upon.

Shaykh ‘Attiyyah Saqar issued a fatwa among the Azhar (university) fatwas which reads:

“Some interpreters of the Quran said: There are 10 kinds of animals which will enter Paradise; they are as follows:

1- The Buraaq (an animal with wings, bigger than a donkey and smaller than a mule) which the Prophet rode on the night of Al-Israa’ (Ascension).

2- The she-camel of Saalih which was hamstrung by those who denied the truth.

3- The donkey of ‘Uzayr whom Allah Almighty caused to die for one hundred years and then Allah Almighty revived him and he found his donkey next to him as it was.

4- The calf which Prophet Ibraaheem, may, Allaah exalt his mention, slaughtered for his angel guests.

5- The ram with which Allah Almighty ransomed Ismaa’eel (Ishmael) from being slaughtered according to the vision seen by Prophet Ibraaheem .

6- The hoopoe that brought news for Prophet Sulaymaan, (Solomon) about Bilqees (the Queen of Sheba).

7- The ant which said [as related in the Quran] (what means): {O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not.} [Quran 27:18]

8- The dog of the people of the Cave.

9- The fish that swallowed Prophet Yoonus (Jonah) .

10- The cow of the Children of Israa‘eel that pointed to the killer when the slain man was hit with some of its parts.”

Besides, Al-Aloosi when interpreting the verse of Allah Almighty (which means): {…while their dog stretched his forelegs at the entrance.} [Quran 18:18], quoted that "all the good animals in this world, like antelopes, peacocks, and the animals from which a believer benefits, like sheep and goats, will enter Paradise in a suitable shape, but there is no narration [Hadeeth] to be relied upon in this regard.”

Moreover, it was reported in the Mustadrak of Al-Haakim [and which Al-Albaani classified as Saheeh – authentic] that all animals will be told on the Day of Judgment: ‘become dust.’ Thus, distinguishing some of them from this general rule needs evidence.

Allah knows best.