On January 5th, there was a conference in the UK that looked at the way in which muslims should view evolution by eminent muslim scholars and scientists. This piece would summarize the Islamic position as outlined by sheikh Yasir Qadhi (most of it is his own words).

This is very important and deserves much academic study because in most scientific circles, there seems to be a consensus on evolution as the source of all life.

So the question is:

1. Is the Idea that humans evolved from non-human ancestors a theologically and scriptural acceptable position for muslims to hold in light of the Quran and the prophetic teachings?

This discussion does not address the biological plausibility of evolution rather it is an address to fellow muslims who believe in a divine book that was revealed to the prophet (peace be upon him). A book that describes itself as being a guide for mankind revealed in clear and eloquent Arabic.

It is important to note that this discussion is NOT a debate between religion and science. Islam asks us to believe that any established truth cannot contradict an authoritative Islamic text. We are encouraged numerous times in the Quran to look around us and examine existence as proof of a creator. Science is our attempt to understand Allah’s creation and any established fact in this human endeavor cannot contradict the Quran since the study of Allah’s creation is a study of Allah’s power. The Quran is a study of Allah’s speech. Allah’s power and Allah’s speech would not contradict each other.

Therefore, if a conflict exist between religion and science, it must be a perceived conflict not an actual conflict. When there is a conflict, there is only one of three logical scenarios a muslim can follow:

1. Where neither science or religion(Islam) has an authoritative position. Example: The existence of alien life form. Neither science or Islam confirms the existence of alien life. Therefore a muslim or a scientist can choose whatever view he favours and there is no clash.

2. Where science has reached a level of indubitable certainty (Yakeen) and religion has some ambiguity. Example: Allah says the universe was created in 6 yawm. Yawm could mean ‘days’ or ‘periods of time’ as explained in the classical lexicon of the Arabic language. In this situation, our understanding of modern science would shape our understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. In this case: 6 stages (periods of time). Muslims have no problems understanding it like this.

3. Where the Quran and Sunnah presents a position that is beyond dispute and science presents an interpretation of data that conflicts with that position. The theory of human evolution is the perfect example of this last category. In this situation, we as muslims have no rational alternative, other than to accept the Quranic text and acknowledge that our human limitations and realisations are not fully capable of understanding these mysteries and say: Allah knows best.

Islamic texts are clear on the origins of man, both the Quran and the sunnah tell us that all of human kind descended from Adam and Eve. They were the first human created directly by Allah and were not born to parents nor did they evolve from previous life forms.

Any attempt to contradict or modify this Islamic argument is scripturally indefensible, historically flawed and methodologically shallow.

Argument 1: scriptural evidence

The Scriptural evidences are too numerous to enumerate, In surah sajdah, Allah says:

He first created man from clay, then made his descendants from an extract of underrated fluid (Surah Al sajdah : 7-

This indicates that the first man had no ancestry and he did not evolve from any pre-existent life form. There are many more similar ayat and prophetic narrations that indicate this.

The Quran and the Sunnah present such a vivid picture of the story of Adam’s creation that to claim that man has descended from other creations is to make a claim that contradict numerous explicit ayat from the Quran and authenticated hadiths.

If the story of Adam was based on a lone ambiguous text that allows multiple linguistical interpretations and modern science informs us that a particular interpretation is more plausible then we as rational muslims will adopt that interpretation.

Science can and should shape our understanding of the Quran and Sunnah but this should only happen when this interpretation is permitted by the rules of the language and exegesis. Science cannot ask us to reject the Quran and Sunnah.

The Story of Adam and Eve is so clear that it makes any other interpretation, so imaginative and fanciful, that such an endeavor has no practical value.

There is no logical way for a muslim to contradict this entire account of the story. The Quran does not in any way support the modern doctrine of human evolution.

Argument 2. The role and philosophy of science:

We need to put science in its proper place.

The methodology of science works by collecting the observable data in the natural world and interpreting them to come up with explanations for why the world is the way it is. These explanations are then used to make further predictions.

Most scientists acknowledge that we have no direct means of knowing whether our explanation actually corresponds to reality. People who attempt to transform scientific models into theological dogma are forgetting two basic facts.

a. Science insists that we stick to empirical matters and do not invoke metaphysical explanation. This immediately disqualifies any supernatural account on the origins of man. Moreover in order to make theories about what took place at an unseen time, thousands of years ago, we can only make inferences based upon our interpretation of the data that has survived up till today.

b. A scientific explanation is required to be the simplest, naturalistic explanation possible. (Occam’s razor). If a pattern is observed in the animal species, the simpliest explanation is to extrapolate from the animal to the human realm. However it is theology that causes us to pause at this extrapolation.

While Islamic theology is silent on the macro-evolution of animal species, there are clear texts that show that the origin of humans is different. Even science points out the difference in humanity such as consciousness, morality, civilization, language, the arts…. Etc

These aspects are not as easily explained as fingers and limbs. Evulotionary explanations in these areas are frought with untestable speculations.

Summary: Science has a function, a scope and a role. Let us keep science within that scope.


Argument 3. History

Muslims need to stress that our history is markedly different from Christian history. Islamic civilizations never had any issues with scientific developments and infact encouraged the study of all natural sciences.

Muslims do not have the equivalents of Galileo, No scientist was ever burnt at the stake. No scientific book ever banned.

Therefore it is the mistake of the highest magnitude to lump muslims who question just one aspect (i.e human evolution) with those religious creationists who deny the entire theory of evolution.

Also, we have seen that the Quran has stood the test of time while science has been evolving. It was less than 100 years ago that it was "FACT" that the universe was static, to the point Albert Einstein invented the 'cosmological constant' for his theory of general relativity in 1915 to fix it from showing the universe as expanding. It was only when Prof Edwin Hubble observed the red-shift in distant galaxies in 1927 (published in 1929) did it become apparent that the universe is expanding... scientists did a u-turn, Einstein called it his biggest blunder ever…. The Qur’an confidently mentioned the universe as expanding over 1400 years ago!

For all that we know, 50 years from now, our entire understanding of the history of human origin would have drastically changed.

As great as human rationality is, It is fundamentally limited and there are many basic questions regarding human existence that defy all human attempts to find an explanation.

To reinterpret the divine speech of Allah based on fallible, changing , historically influenced, man –made explanations is the height of religious arrogance.

Conclusion:

It is a mistake for muslims to say we don’t believe in evolution. This is a mistake. Quite the contrary, most of the principles of evolution pose no problems with Islamic theology. Muslims unlike some of the Christians, have no issue believing in Dinosaurs, believing in life before mankind believing in genetic mutations, believing in speciation or extrapolating the human time-line beyond 6,000 years.

Infact, Islamically it is not problematic at all to accept a universal common ancestor for all life on earth with one exception and that is Man.

Muslims also have to realize that evolutionary science is not bad science. It is a well-researched scientific model that fits the criterion of proper science but it also have the limitations that any scientific theory would have.

As a muslim, i can accept the broad premises of evolution as a scientific model that makes excellent predictions about the world while at the same time recognizing that its inferences is limited by human nature and only the divine speech of Allah can provide an exact description of the reality of what happened.

It is within the realm of religion to believe in miracles. For those who believe in an all-powerful God. For those who believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, for those who believe in the parting of the sea by moses, for those who believe in the night-Journey and the splitting of the moon by the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon all the prophets). What is so difficult to believe that the origin of man was an even greater miracle?

If a muslim biologist claims that all life on earth follow the patterns proposed by the theory of evolution and ascribed the power to do this to Allah. If he claims that the mechanisms used for form, animals and plants is indeed genetic mutation over the course of billions of years but that there was only one specie that broke this rule- Humans. And that for humans, Allah inserted Adam into the mix in such a manner that his DNA fit perfectly into the grand scale of things as planned by Allah.

If someone claims this, then there are no Islamic qualms about this.

Such a miracle if it occurred can neither be proven or disproven scientifically but it will explain many differences that man has from other species.

Like Allah says in Surah Kahf, Ayah 51

I did not make them witnesses to the creation of the heavens and earth, nor to their own creation;…… (Surah 18:51)

We were not here to see how we were created but Allah was. Everything we posit is but our attempt of reconstructing the mysteries of Allah’s creation.

For those who do not believe in a God or a divine revelation, let them attempt to reconstruct the puzzle as they see fit. But for us who believe in an all knowing God, who revealed the Quran to the prophet., Let us trust the one who created and realize that of knowledge , We have been given very little.

And they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills. (Surah 2: 255)

And Allah knows best.

A reminder!

Muslims unlike some of the Christians,

Must you bring Christian into this, why can't you support evolution and leave christian alone?

have no issue believing in dinosaur

Who told you Christian don't believe in dinosaur? Nah wa ooooo

believing in life before mankind believing in genetic mutations,

Imaging if you know the meaning of this I believe you will reject the theory of evolution. And again life before mankind do you read Genesis at all?
About genetic mutations if you agree with one life started it all yet you claim Allah created Adam, how come?

believing in speciation or extrapolating the human time-line beyond 6,000 years.

Another lie.

Infact, Islamically it is not problematic at all to accept a universal common ancestor for all life on earth with one exception and that is Man.

So you believe one primodal gem started it all? maybe from that one life that Allah given Adam life sha! according to you.
Since Adam is not the first Man created by Allah.

Muslims also have to realize that evolutionary science is not bad science. It is a well-researched scientific model that fits the criterion of proper science but it also have the limitations that any scientific theory would have.

If only you know the implications of evolution on any religious claim that is "NO CREATOR INVOLVED IN ORIGIN OF ALL LIFE EVER EXISTED ON EARTH" Then you will know it doesn't fit into your Book.


Shalom!