[Explanation]
In this ḥadith the Messenger of Allah ﷺ swore—though he is the Truthful One whose word is accepted without an oath—that every right will be returned to its owner on the Day of Resurrection and that not a single claim will be lost. Any right that is yours but that you failed to obtain in this world will unfailingly be granted in the Hereafter, to the extent that even the hornless sheep will receive retribution from the horned one.

The jalḥāʾ (hornless sheep) is the animal that has no horns, whereas the qarnāʾ (horned sheep) is the one that does. Typically, when the horned animal butts the hornless one it causes it greater harm; yet on the Day of Judgment Allah will judge between those two sheep and will secure redress for the hornless from the horned.

All this occurs although they are mere beasts, lacking intellect or understanding. Nevertheless, Allah—the All-Wise, the Just Judge—wishes to display to His servants the perfection of His justice even with dumb animals; how much more, then, with the children of Adam!

This ḥadith is also proof that animals will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection, and so it is: beasts of burden and every creature that possesses a soul will be gathered that day. Allah the Exalted says, “There is no creature on earth nor bird flying with its wings but they are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Record” (6:38). Thus there are many communities: the ants, the birds, the beasts of prey, the snakes, and so on.

Everything is recorded, even the deeds of animals and insects, all inscribed in the Preserved Tablet: “We have neglected nothing in the Record; then to their Lord they will be gathered” (6:38). The Almighty also says, “When the ten-month pregnant she-camels are left untended, and when the wild beasts are gathered together” (81:4-5). Accordingly, every single thing will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will judge between them with His wisdom and justice; He is the All-Hearing