New research illustrates natural morality in many animals including monkeys and gorillas.
Like human communities, monkeys can distinguish between good and evil and establish justice systems.
In several instances, humans often assume animals don’t have the ability to think or distinguish between good and evil and that they don’t know about justice or injustice.
In the Islamic holy book, Qur’an indicates that all creatures have similar characters like our human communities.
Allah, meaning God says: “There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, and then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered.” As it is read in Sûrat Al-An’âm- verse 38.
This verse appeared 1400 years ago at a time when no scientist had made any research about animal kingdom.
In modern times, a study confirms that monkeys and gorillas have the ability to differentiate between good and evil and hold trials to establish justice within their respective community.
The monkey or gorilla can sacrifice itself for the others in difficult situations. They have a conscience and the ability to remember.
The research illustrates that social rules are not only a human characteristic but also monkeys and gorillas have a kind of morality.
Prophet Hud in Quoran also said “I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has the grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path the truth as it says in Sûrat Hûd-verse 56.
“I am not arguing that non-human primates are moral beings but there is enough evidence for the following of social rules to agree that some of the stepping stones towards human morality can be found in other animals” said Frans De Waal professor of psychology at Emory University in Georgia in the United States.
In papers presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) De Waal described experiments on monkeys and apes, showing that they understand the idea of fairness.
The animals were asked to do simple tasks and then rewarded with food or tenderness.
The rewards were varied, seemingly at random. De Waal found the animals have a keen sense of fairness and objected strongly when others were rewarded more than themselves for the same task, often sulking and refusing to take part any more.
Another study looked at self-sacrifice in chimps and found they were often willing to help others even when there was no clear reward.
“Chimpanzees spontaneously help both humans and each other in carefully controlled tests” said De Waal.
In an exclusive interview with The MDM Wonder lance Digital Magazine in 2011 De Waal said
“I study chimpanzees, bonobos and other primates mainly to learn more about them, but of course they also tell us something about ourselves. We are primates, after all.”
“So, a second goal over the years has become to understand human society and how many aspects that we consider complex such as culture, morality, politics actually have roots that can be illustrated by the behavior of other primates.’’
“For example, chimpanzee males from a hierarchy in which the smallest male may be the leader. How is such a thing possible? It is based on deal making by this male; he is probably more diplomatic than the others, grooms his supporters, gives them bribes and favors, so that when he is challenged by a bigger male he has coalition partners that help him. Such coalitions are part and parcel of human politics, and are now very well documented in chimpanzees both in the field and in zoo settings.” De Waal said.
Prof. Frans De Waal added, “Other researchers have found the same qualities in capuchin monkeys. This shows, “spontaneous pro social tendencies”, which means they are happy to share food and other things with other monkeys, for the joy of giving”.
“Everything else being equal, they prefer to reward a companion together with themselves rather than just themselves,” he said.
The research suggests that giving is self-rewarding for monkeys. The research found primates can remember the researchers who have done them a favor will try to requite them.
Sûrat Al-Hashr-verse 9 in Quran “But those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the faith- show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the latter, but give them Preference over themselves, even though poverty was their own lot. And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls- they are the ones that achieve prosperity.”
Therefore Allah wants human being to help and cooperate with others and animal do the same.
Ends
