How do we reconcile what is stated in the Quran—that ants speak like humans and that the Beast will speak to people—with modern scientific discoveries indicating that ant communication occurs through chemical substances, and with linguists' understanding that speech is exclusive to humans and not animals?

Each animal species has a special language it uses to communicate, and it is like human language in expressing and conveying emotions. Among the blessings Allah bestowed upon Solomon (peace be upon him) was that He taught him the "speech of birds," meaning He made him understand the way animals communicate. It was called "speech" (mantiq) because it enabled understanding, and it does not necessarily have to be like human speech. This is considered one of the signs that Allah specially granted to Solomon, and He did not give it to anyone else among humans. Similarly, among the signs of the Hour is the emergence of a creature (dābbah) that will speak like humans, and this is not surprising, for Allah is capable of all things.