IslamiCity
Listen PodCasts, Live Quran, Watch Videos @VideoHub
In the secular West, the theory of evolution is currently the dominant viewpoint pushed in schools and the society at large that humans evolved from apelike ancestors. This idea has created controversy with the faith groups who maintain that humans did not evolve but were created.
Regarding evolution, most Islamic scholars are of the opinion that it is in direct contradiction of the primary sources of Islam affirming an original and direct creation of Adam, the first human created directly by God. This is not because God could not have created humans through an evolutionary process but because He willed not to do so and informed of this through revelation.
Adam was the first human, created from clay elements of the earth, as a unique being fashioned by God's own hands, and given life by His breath. These facts are stated in the following verses of the Qur'an:
"Indeed, We created man from sounding clay molded from black mud." (Al Hijr 15:26).
"God said, 'O Iblis, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My Hands? Were you arrogant then, or were you already among the haughty?'"(Sad 38:75).
"So when I have fashioned him and had a spirit of My Own ËącreationËş breathed into him, fall down in prostration to him."(Al Hijr 15:29).
That we humans are descended from Adam is clearly established. "Truly, We have honored the children of Adam. We carry them on the land and the sea, and have made provision of good things for them [to eat], and have preferred them above many of those whom We created with a marked preferment." (Al Isra 17:70)
The means and processes used by God are known to Him alone.
The Darwinian theory of evolution has been refuted by fair-minded scientists that similarities between living beings offer clear evidence against the theory of evolution, because they testify that creator is one but do not indicate that the starting point is one. True science and revelation expose the theory of evolution for what it really is - a fantasy that is now rejected by neutral scientists. The two of the obvious weaknesses of the theory are:
However, the Qur'an does not state the same regarding non-human species. As such, some scholars have differentiated between human evolution and non-human evolution evolution stating that the primary texts only affirm an original creation for humans, namely Adam, and non-humans.
Thus the theory of evolution in relation to non-humans poses no intrinsic problem both at the level of macro-evolution or micro-evolution. An important point to keep in mind is that even when evolution is accepted, it is still an act of God stemming from His will and power.
Evolution as random mutation and natural selection causally independent of God is decisively rejected whether theory is applied to humans or non-humans. The name Adam appears variously in the Qur'an 25 times. One of the key references appears in Chapter2, Al Baqarah as follows:
"When your Lord said to the angels, 'I am placing a successor on earth.' They said, 'Will You lace in it someone who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we declare Your praises and sanctify You?' He said, 'I know what you do not know.' And He taught Adam the names, all of them; then he presented them to the angels, and said, 'Tell Me the names of these, if you are sincere.' They said, 'Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. It is you who are the Knowledgeable, the Wise.' He said, 'O Adam, tell them their names.' And when he told them their names, He said, 'Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and that I know what you reveal and what you conceal?' (Al Baqarah 2: 30-33).
These verses are followed God asking angels to submit to Adam as His Representative on earth: "And mention We said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam." They bowed down, except for Satan. He refused, was arrogant, and was one of the disbelievers."(Al Baqarah 2:34).
The above passages highlights Adam' s creation, unique knowledge bestowed on him by God, and significance of his role as His representative on earth. It also introduces Satan, who refused to bow to Adam out of arrogance setting the stage for the ongoing struggle between good and evil.
The Qur'an also confirms that initial substance of creation for all living beings is water. "Allah has created every moving (living) creature from water." (Al Noor 24:45). "And We have made from water every living thing." (Al Anbiya 21: 30).
Islam and all divinely revealed religions believe in the existence of God as the Creator and controller of all of His creation. As stated in the Quran "We created man from an extract of clay. Then We made him a seed, in a secure repository. Then We developed the seed into a clot. Then We developed the clot into a lump. Then We developed the lump into bones. Then We clothed the bones with flesh. Then We produced it into another creature. Most blessed is God, the Best of Creators. Then, after that, you will die. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected." (Al Muminun 23: 12-16).
In a discussion of relationship between science and religion, it must be clarified that the Qur'an was not revealed as a book of science. Nor the Sunna was primarily interested in elucidating points of scientific fact. The purpose of both these sources is to instruct humans regarding the manner they should live in order to recognize God and attain felicity through this recognition. In other words, The Qur'an and Sunna are sources of guidance for humans to live righteously. This is told in the following verses: "Indeed, this Quran guides to the straightest way, and gives glad tidings to the believers" (Al Isra 17:9).
"A book we have sent down to you so you bring forth mankind from darkness to light."(Ibrahim 14:1).
And the following verses with regard to following the Prophet: "You have an excellent model in the Messenger of Allah, for all who put their hope in Allah and the Last Day and remember Allah much." (al-Ahzab 33:21).
"Allah showed great kindness to the believers when He sent a Messenger to them from among themselves to recite His Signs to them, purify them and teach them the Book and Wisdom, even though before that they were clearly misguided." ( Al `Imran 3: 164).
"You should accept whatever the Messenger gives you and abandon whatever he tells you to abandon. Have taqwa of Allah, Indeed Allah is severe in penalty." ( al-Hashr 59:7)
Having said this, there is no denying that the Quran and Sunna make several references to the cosmos and natural phenomenon. Debates regarding their interpretations are nothing new for Islamic scholars. The framework scholars came up with regard to a verse whether it was literal reading, and it contradicted a decisively established fact by these two sources.
The great scholar, Abul Ala Mawdudi who brought about the current Islamic resurgence stated that Islam accorded with the established scientific facts. A French Maurice Bucaille in his book "Bible, the Quran and Sciences" examined the two Holy Scriptures in relation to the known scientific facts. To his great surprise the Qur'an did not contain a single proposition which was at variance with the most firmly established modern knowledge nor did it contain any of the ideas current at the time it was describes. He concluded that the absence of any scientific errors were in complete agreement with the 'Muslim exegetes conception that the Qur'an was a book revealed, and a consideration that God could not express an idea that was erroneous.
Islam has no problem accepting several scientific theories. As such for most scholars there is no problem in accepting theories such as the Big Bang as it does not contradict and of the primary texts of Quran or authentic prophetic interpretations. For thousands of years astronomers have wrenched with the questions concerning the universe.
Until the early 1920's, it was believed that the universe had always been in existence, and that the size of the universe was fixed and not changing. However, in 1912, an American astronomer, Zesto Slipher made a discovery that changed this understanding about the universe. He noticed that the galaxies were moving away from earth at great velocities. These observations provided the first evidence in support of expanding universe. In 1916, Albert Einstein formulated his General Theory of Relativity suggesting that the universe must be either expanding or contracting.
Confirmation of the expanding universe finally came in 1929 by American astronomer Edwin Hubble. Hubble examined the redshifts in the wavelengths emitted by galaxies and found that galaxies were not fixed in their positions, but were actually moving away with speeds proportional to their distance from the earth.
Yet well before invention of telescope, the Qur'an states; "And the heaven We created with might, and indeed We are (its) expander." (Al Dariat 51: 47). Qur'an mentioned these facts at a time when there was primitive knowledge of sciences and translators used such words as 'heaven' for space. It is remarkable since the prophet Muhammad happened to be illiterate and could not have been aware of such facts.
Similar is the case with Big Bang Theory. In 1965 the two radio astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson received Noble Prize for confirming Big Bang Theory. Prior to this, the theory implied that the single point from which the universe came into existence was extremely hot, and the remnants of this heat should be found. This remnant heat is what these Noble laureates discovered. They found that a 2.725 degree Kelvin Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation spreads through the universe. This discovery placed the theory on a firmer footing, Yet the Qur'an mentions it. "He (God) is the originator of the heavens and the earth..." (Al-Anam 6: 101)
"Is not He who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the likes of them? Yes, and He is the Knowing Creator. His command is only when He intends a thing that says to it. 'Be, and it is.' "(YaSin 36:81-82).
The above verses prove that the universe had a beginning, that God was behind its creation, and all that was needed was God to say "Be" and it is. Could this be an explanation as to what triggered off the explosion that brought about the beginning of the universe?
The Qur'an also mentions: "Will those who disbelieved not see that the heavens and the earth were one mass, then We tore them apart, and We made from water every living thing? Will they not believe?" (Al Anbya 21:30).
Muslim scholars who explained the previous verse mention that heavens and earth were once one, and then God caused them to separate and form into seven heavens and Earth. Yet, due to limitations of science and technology at the time of revelation of the Qur'an (and for centuries to follow) , no scholar was able to give much detail about how exactly the heavens and earth were created. What the scholars could explain was the precise meaning of each word in Arabic in the verse, as well as the overall meaning of the verse.
The writer speculated on the meaning of Arabic words ratq and fataq. The word ratq can be translated into 'entity, 'sewn' 'joined together' or 'closed up.' The meaning of these translations all circulate around something that is mixed and that has a separate and distinct existence. The verb fataq is translated into 'We unstitched' 'We clove them asunder', 'We separated', 'We have opened them'. These meanings imply that something comes into being by an action of splitting or tearing apart. The sprouting of a seed from the soiln is a good exampleof a similar illustration of the meaning of of the verb fataq.
With the introduction of the Big Bang theory, it soon became clear to Muslim scholars that the details mentioned with regard with the theory go identically hand in hand with the description of the creation of the universe in the verse 30 of the chapter 21 of the Qur'an. The theory states that all the matter in the universe came into existence from one single extremely hot and dense point that exploded and brought about the beginning of the universe, matches what is mentioned in the verse that the heaven and Earth (thus the universe) were joined together, and then split apart. Once again, the only possible explanation is the Prophet Muhammad had truly received divine revelation from God, the Creator and Originator of the universe.
God Created Man as His Representative on Earth. God has given a human, male and female, the honor to serve as His representative on earth. This is clearly stated in the following verse: " "RememberËş when your Lord said to the angels, "I am going to place a successive ËąhumanËş authority on earth."(Al Baqarah 2:30).
As such, He subjugated the heavens and earth at the disposal of humans. "And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect." (Al Jathia 45:13).
God Honored Humans above the rest of creation. God gave honor to humans as being above the rest of His creation. This is stated in the following verses: "And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with definite preference. (Al Isra17:70).
God has bestowed enumerable blessings on humans: "If ye would count up the favors of Allah, never would ye be able to number them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."(An Nahal 16:18).
God placed humans above animals and animals are to serve humans. God created humans above animals and placed animals at the service of humans. Wild animals can be domesticated, so they can be useful to humans. Such as stated in the following verses of Surah Ya Sin: "See they not that it is We who have created for them - among other things which our hands have fashioned - cattle, which are under their dominion? - And We have subjected them to their use? Of them some do carry them and some they eat: And they have other profits from them (besides), and they get (milk) to drink. Will they not then be grateful?" (Ya sin 36: 71-73). Other locations mentioning animals for human use: "And verily in cattle (too) will you find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies, between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it."(Al Nahl 16: 66).
And the following verse from the same chapter: "And made for you, out of the skin of animals, (tents for) dwellings, which you find so light (and handy) when you travel and when you stop (in your travels). And out of their wool, and their soft fibres (between wool and hair), and their hair, rich stuff and articles of convenience (to serve you) for a time." (Al Nahl 16: 80).
Also the following verses from Al Muminun,: "And in the cattle too, you have an instructive example: From within their bodies We produce milk for you to drink; there are in them, besides numerous other benefits for you, and of their meat you eat. And on them, as well as, in ships you ride." (Al Muminun 23: 21-22).
God created the means of sustenance for humans and creatures: "And We have provided therein means of subsistence -- for you and for those for whose sustenance ye are not responsible."(Al Hijr 54:20)
God granted free will to humans to choose. God granted humans a free will to choose between good and evil, alongside a degree of autonomy. But all that God granted to humans is as an Amana, Trust, and every human is answerable in how he conducts himself. This accountability will be taken in the eternity of Hereafter.
The humans with free will and ability to choose may believe or disbelieve, obey or disobey, as God says in the following verses: "And say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve.' Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them." (Al-Kahf 18:29).
And He also says: "Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing. Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful." (Al-Insan 76:2-3).
Accountability and The Day of Judgment. One of the fundamental beliefs of Islam is the Day of Judgment. All humans who have lived are accountable and answerable for their beliefs and willful actions.
As stated in the Qur'an: "On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done and all the evil it has done, and it will wish there were a great distance between and its evil.
But God cautions you to remember Himself. And God is full of kindness to those that serve him." (Al Imran 3:30). And "Verily, to Us will be their return, then verily, for Us will be their reckoning."( Al-Ghashiyah 88:25-26).
Note also the following Qur'anic verse: "Whoever chooses to follow the right path, follows it but for his own good; and whoever goes astray, goes but astray to his own loss; and no bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another's burden." (Al Isra 17: 15).
This verse tells us that that in the Final Judgment, we are accountable for our actions and no injustice will be done to anyone else.
At the end the following verses from Chapter 99 (quacking) are instructive: "When the earth is shaken to her utmost convulsion, And the earth throws up her burdens from within, and man cries distressed: ´What is the matter with her? ´- On that Day will she declare her tidings: For thy Lord will have given her inspiration. On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they had done. Then shall anyone who does an atom´s weight of good, shall see it! And anyone who does an atom´s weight of evil, shall see it.(Zalzalah 99: 1-8)
Israel as the Rod of the Wrath of God
