Do trees, stones and lifeless objects have souls and do they have emotions?

Answer

They are not lifeless. According to the Qur'aan every creation of Allah Ta'ala engages in Tasbeeh, glorifying Him. The Qur'aan Majeed states: "The seven heavens and the earth, and whatever is in them recite His Tasbeeh, but you do not understand their Tasbeeh." There are numerous verses in the Qur'aan and numerous Hadith narrations which confirm that all created things, including inanimate objects engage in Tasbeeh of Allah Ta'ala.

Allah Ta'ala spoke to the heavens and the earth and they responded. Stones would offer Salaam to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), and the trunk of a tree had wept when Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) no longer leaned against it.

All things have souls, but obviously there is a great difference in the souls of humans, jinn and other specimens of creation. The growth and life of vegetation clearly confirm the existence of souls for plants. The stone crying and pleading to Nabi Musaa (Alayhis salaam) to intercede on its behalf so that it may not be cast into Jahannam on the Day of Qiyaamah also confirms soul and emotion. There are many such episodes which confirm life and souls for all created objects – animate and inanimate.

Regarding emotions of inanimate objects, it is obvious that if they are utilized correctly for the purposes for which Allah Ta'ala has created them, they will not suffer pain and grief.

However, if these inanimate objects are misused and abused, it will also be zulm (cruelty/injustice), and they will testify against the zaalim (oppressor) on the Day of Qiyaamah. It therefore does not behove a Muslim to abuse any creation of Allah Ta'ala, be it a stone.