It was narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that Allaah The Almighty Will Let the hornless animal avenge itself on the horned one. So, how can this Hadeeth be understood in the light of the fact that animals are not competent for religious assignment? May Allaah Reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, May Allaah Be Pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “All rights will be restored on the Day of Judgment, to the extent that even the hornless animal will be allowed to avenge itself on the one with horns.” [Muslim]

It is an authentic Hadeeth and there is no reason for dismissing the apparent meaning for there is no contradiction between settling scores among animals and their being incompetent for religious assignment. Animals are absolutely incompetent for religious assignment. However, the Justice of Allaah The Almighty entails giving everyone of the creatures his due.

Imaam An-Nawawi, May Allaah Have mercy upon him, in explaining the Hadeeth mentioned above, said, “If there is a phrase in a text of Sharee‘ah whose apparent meaning is not impossible, whether according to Sharee‘ah or reason, then it must be interpreted according to its apparent meaning. Scholars said, 'Reward and punishment are not conditions for gathering and resurrection on the Day of Judgment. Settling scores between the hornless and horned animals is not based on legal retribution that is imposed on the ones competent for religious assignment, because animals are not competent for religious assignment; rather, it is a matter of settling scores for the sake of justice.”

Allaah Knows best.