Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu, Shaykh. Is it true that animals, insects, birds, and so on know of natural disasters before they take place? If there is no evidence about it in Islam but studies say that, can a Muslim believe it? May Allaah reward you, Shaykh.

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. 

We are not aware of any evidence from the Quran and the Sunnah that the animals, birds, and insects know about earthquakes and similar disasters before they occur. However, there is nothing wrong with believing this if scientific experiments prove that animals feel it. Indeed, the Shariah does not contradict the facts that Allah set in the universe, and it does not forbid believing in them.

In fact, the Shariah confirmed that the animals hear what the children of Adam do not hear and feel what they do not feel, as the Prophet said about Friday, “…On Friday, every beast is on the lookout from dawn to sunrise in fear of the Last Hour…” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and others]

The author of ‘Awn Al-Ma’bood said, “It means that the beasts listen attentively (for the coming of the Hour). Though beasts are irrational creatures, Allah inspires them about this and they feel it…” [Abridged]

On the other hand, the Prophet said about the people who are punished in their graves that the animals hear their torment: “They are subjected to a torment that all the animals can hear.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Umm Mubash-shir, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

“The Messenger of Allah once entered upon me while I was on a property that belonged to Banu An-Najjaar and where there are some of their graves. They died during the Jaahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Era of ignorance), and the Prophet heard them being tortured, so he went out saying, ‘Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, are they being tortured in their graves?’ He said, ‘Yes, torture that the beasts can hear.’”

Allah knows best.