Islam does not believe in the conclusions coming out of evolution, as they contradict the Quranic creation story and the cosmic laws. Darwin himself said that it is just a theory because more scientific evidence is needed to rank it as a scientific fact. Yet, Darwin’s followers believe that the Darwinian theory is accepted as a fact like the theory of gravity!
If you believe in Darwinian evolution, why do we not observe significant evolutionary changes in species nowadays? Is this theory a historical explanation for the development of ancient life? If so, is it still considered valid for understanding modern biological change? If this theory applies to ancient life only, where is the fossil evidence documenting the transitional stages between species?
Let’s learn more about the definition of evolution and study evolution from an Islamic perspective. Let’s also discuss the flaws of the Darwinian theory.
What is Evolution?
This is a good chance to study evolution. Let’s learn its linguistic meaning and learn more about its concepts and its founders.
Linguistic Definition of Evolution
Linguistically, evolvere is a Latin word of the verb evolve. It means to (cause to) develop gradually and to progress. Evolution is also defined in the dictionary to be the way in which living things gradually change and develop over time.
The Concepts emerged
The Darwinian theory assumes evolution by natural selection. It proves that all living species, including humans, have evolved over time from a common ancestor through a process of natural selection.
This assumes the gradual change occurred to plants and animals over a long period as a sort of adaptation to the surrounding environment to survive. It also shows the genetic change which leads to the appearance of new species on Earth.
The Darwinian theory contradicts the story of creation mentioned in The Book of Genesis. Its purpose is to divert people’s attention from their Creator and lead them astray. It aims to introduce new concepts to believe in coincidence, natural selection and the survival of the fittest instead of believing in the Creator, the Most Powerful.
The Theory’s Founders
Charles Darwin (1809-1882), a British naturalist, is considered the leader and developer of the theory of evolution. Before that time, Jean Baptiste Lamarck proposed the first theory of evolution in 1809, then, Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire significantly contributed to the development of evolutionary thought.
Does Islam Believe in Evolution?
Islam does not believe in evolution in many ways. It contradicts the Quranic creation story. In this regard, we need to discuss the unseen in Islam, the contradiction between science and religion, and the level of revelation and science.
The Unseen in Islam
Regarding issues related to the unseen, Muslims mainly depend on the Divine Revelation (Quran and Sunnah), as this is the source of absolute knowledge. We have reasons why we believe the Quran is the word of Allah and that Muhammad (ﷺ) is the true Messenger. You do not have to see to believe, yet you believe to see.
The Contradiction Between Science and Religion
The Western culture witnessed a conflict between science and the church. Science became superior to religion after the Dark Ages, when the church was under control. See the story of Galileo. On the other hand, Muslims believe that there is no contradiction between science and religion. Any apparent contradiction is considered a result of either a misunderstanding of the religious text or an error in scientific interpretation.
The Quran and Sunnah are considered the primary and ultimate sources of knowledge. Scientific knowledge is secondary and must be interpreted in light of these primary sources. Thus, if a scientific finding seems to contradict a religious text, the religious text is upheld as the definitive truth.
The Level of Revelation and Science
Allah created the world, so there is no contradiction between the world and the Words of Allah; the Noble Quran. Many Muslims have never studied the theory of evolution scientifically. From a scientific stance, the theory of evolution sounds right.
Yet, our limited experience and human mind could not reach the unseen without a divine revelation. That’s why it is not possible to put the Revelation at the same level as science, as Revelation is absolute and limitless, while science, which is a man-made subject, is experimental and limited.
Flaws of the Theory of Evolution
The theory of evolution has some factual basis that is accepted in Islam such as, the extinct species, the age of the Earth, and diversity in life forms and similarity across species. It was just a theory and not a scientific fact, and it was was scientifically rejected by many Western studies. Let’s discuss some of the flaws of the theory of evolution.
1.The Story of Creation
The theory of evolution says that the emergence of species on Earth occurred without any intentional cause.
“Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance”
Jean-Paul Sartre
Both reason and Revelation prove that it is impossible to say that the whole universe is a result of pure luck, coincidence and blind chance.
Allah Almighty says:
“And in no way did We create the sky and the earth and what is between them playfully.”
Thus, everything was created for a certain purpose with an organized system by Allah, the Creator.
2. Natural Selection
Species develop according to what is needed. Allah created all creatures as they are. There is no natural selection. Muslims do not believe in the evolution of man, animals and plants. The concept of the survival is to the fittest is wrong, the survival is to what Allah has chosen to survive. There is no room for selfish struggle.
“They have not respected Allah with the respect due to Him. Indeed, Allah is certainly All-Powerful, Almighty.”
3.The Origin of Mankind: Aps or Adam
Humanity originates with Adam and Eve, as Allah Almighty created Adam from clay. It was mentioned in the Quran that man is honored and favored over other creatures. Thus, it is impossible to be honored and to be developed from an animal!
“Yet very truly We have honored the Children of Adam and carried them on land and sea and provided them with good things and greatly favored them over many of those We have created.”
3. The Earth is Eternal
The scientific world says that the Earth is eternal, having no beginning or end. The Quran says that the world has a beginning and an end. You may think that there is a contradiction between the Quran and science happens. Yet, there is none, as it is just because of some misunderstandings and false scientific assumptions. Science is not absolute, Islam is absolute.
Conclusion
Although the theory of evolution is not scientifically proven, as it is only based on personal beliefs, many scientists in academic circles and also among the public deeply believe in this theory! On the other hand, true Muslims refuse to believe in the unseen without authentic evidence.
“We are survival machines – robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes. This is a truth which still fills me with astonishment.”
Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene
This limited definition of mankind shows to what extent they were blind to the purpose of life and the wisdom behind our creation. The key logical problem for the theory of evolution is the claim of randomness and purposelessness. After discussing the definition of evolution, the evolution from an Islamic perspective and the flaws of the Darwinian theory, it is your turn to answer the following question: Can You Believe in God and Evolution?
Let’s ask Allah to guide us to the right path and preserve our minds from darkness and ignorance.
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