Allah has honored, elevated, and distinguished mankind, as He—Glorified be He—says: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” That is, over all other animals and categories of creation. However, many people insist on resembling animals in their traits, carrying a portion of those traits based on whatever nature dominates them.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah Ta’ala have mercy on him) said:
“People vary in their conditions according to the variation of the animals whose manners and traits they mirror.
- The Dog-like Soul: Among them is he whose soul is dog-like. If he stumbles upon a carcass that could satisfy a thousand dogs, he would pounce on it, guard it against all other dogs, and bark at any dog that draws near. No dog approaches it except against his will and by force, for he will not allow any dog a share of it. His sole concern is filling his belly with whatever food comes his way—whether carrion or slaughtered, foul or good. He feels no shame in ugliness; if you load him, he pants, and if you leave him alone, he pants. If you feed him, he wags his tail and circles around you, but if you withhold from him, he snarls and barks at you.
- The Donkey-like Soul: Among them is he whose soul is donkey-like, created for nothing but toil and fodder. Whenever his fodder is increased, his labor is increased. He is the most mute and least perceptive of animals. For this reason, Allah Almighty likened to the donkey him who was entrusted with His Scripture but failed to bear it with understanding, comprehension, or action—just as He likened the dog to the evil scholar to whom Allah gave His signs, but he detached himself from them, clung to the earth, and followed his desires.
- The Predatory Soul: Among them is he whose soul is predatory and wrathful. His main concern is aggression against people and subjugating them to the extent of his ability. His nature demands this just as the nature of a beast demands its actions.
- The Mouse-like Soul: Among them is he whose soul is mouse-like—corrupt by nature, bringing ruin to those who neighbor him.
- The Venomous Soul: Among them is he whose soul resembles venomous and stinging creatures like snakes and scorpions. This type harms with his evil eye, putting a man into the grave and a camel into the cooking pot.
- The Swine-like Soul: Among people is he whose nature is that of a pig. He passes by good things and pays them no mind, but when a person leaves behind his waste, he consumes it. Likewise, many people hear from you and see good deeds that far outweigh your flaws, yet they neither remember nor convey them, as good deeds do not suit them. But if they see a single slip or an awkward word, they find what they were looking for—something that suits their nature—and turn it into their delight and discourse.
- The Peacock-like Soul: Among them is he who possesses the nature of a peacock; he has nothing to offer except strutting and preening with his feathers, with nothing beyond that.
- The Camel-like Soul: Among them is he who has the nature of a camel—the most vindictive of animals and the harshest of heart.
- The Bear-like or Monkey-like Soul: Among them is he who has the nature of a bear—dumb and malicious—or the nature of a monkey.
The most praiseworthy of animal natures are those of horses, which possess the most noble souls and honorable temperaments among animals, as well as sheep. Anyone who frequents or spends time with any of these kinds of animals acquires some of its nature and character. If he feeds on its meat, the resemblance grows even stronger, for the consumer takes on the likeness of what he consumes. For this reason, Allah has forbidden the consumption of predatory beasts and birds of prey, because of the animalistic traits their consumption imparts to the soul. And Allah knows best.” — Summarized from Madarij al-Salikin.
O Allah, grant our souls their piety and purify them, for You are the best to purify them; You are their Guardian and Master.
Source: الإنسان وطباع الحيوان