“Only those who listen will respond. As for the dead, Allah will raise them, then to Him they will be returned. (36) They say, ‘Why has no sign been sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say, ‘Indeed, Allah is able to send down a sign, but most of them do not know.’ (37) There is no creature on earth, nor any bird that flies on its wings, but they are communities like yourselves. We have neglected nothing in the Record. Then to their Lord they will be gathered. (38)’

“Only those who listen will respond,” meaning the believers, who hear the Reminder, follow it, and benefit from it—as opposed to those whose hearing Allah has sealed. “As for the dead,” meaning the disbelievers: “Allah will raise them, then to Him they will be returned,” and He will recompense them for their deeds.

His saying, exalted is He, “They say,” refers to the leaders of Quraysh: “Why has no sign been sent down to him from his Lord? Say, ‘Indeed, Allah is able to send down a sign, but most of them do not know’” what will befall them if He sends it down.

His saying, exalted is He, “There is no creature on earth, nor any bird that flies on its wings”: He specifically mentions flying with wings for emphasis, just as one says, “I looked with my own eyes,” and, “I took it with my own hand.” “But they are communities like yourselves.” Mujahid said: They are distinct classes, known by their names. That is, every species of animal is a community: birds are a community, beasts are a community, and predators are a community, known by their names, just as the children of Adam are known by their names; one says, “human beings” and “people.”

Abd al-Wahid al-Mulayhi informed us; Abu Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Shurayh informed us; Abu al-Qasim al-Baghawi informed us; Ali ibn al-Ja'd informed us; al-Mubarak—who was Ibn Fudalah—from al-Hasan, from Abd Allah ibn Mughaffal, from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: “Were it not that dogs are a community, I would have commanded that they be killed. So kill every solid-black dog among them.” (1)