Evolution and Quran.

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

Are all creatures came to existence through evolution?

Simple answer is : I don't know and Allah knows best, but there is possibilities according to Quran.

“He is Allah , the Creator, the Inventor, The Evolver (al bari); to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Quran 59:24)

Most of Atheists uses evolution theory to reject god's existence, But it is really a foolish idea came from their ignorance. It is believed that Charles Darwin was the first scientist who propounded evolutionary theory, However, many Greek and Muslim philosophers had discussed the concept of evolution in their writings centuries before Darwin. Here are some pre-Darwinian Muslim philosophers who have expressed their views on evolution : Al - Jahiz (776-869 A.D), Al-Farabi (870-950AD), Al-Mas'udi (d 957AD), Imam Raghib Isfahani (d 1108 A.D),  Ibn Miskawaih (d 1032 AD), Al-Biruni (973-1048 AD), Ibn Sina (980-1037 AD), Ibn Bajah (d.1138AD), Ibn Tufayl (1100-1186AD), Al-Khazini (1115-1130 AD), Ibn Rushd (1126-1198 A.D.), Maulana Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-1273 A.D.) and Ibn-Khaldun (1332-1406AD) (for the details click here) . The fact is that, all of them including Darwin are believed in God. They were believes that there is god's power and intelligence behind all of this.

The key logical problem for the theory of evolution is the claim of randomness and purposelessness: the claim that things have evolved from an ancient cosmic soup by chance, and random factors such as mutation and climate conditions. But we can see that every single things in this world has it's own purpose. We believe that there are some changes within the species eg: People have different skin colors mainly because their melanocytes produce different amount and kinds of melanin based on their geographical climate and some other factors. Allah tells us He is Al-Bari (The Shaper or Evolver) and the Quran has set a precedent 14 centuries before modern science, explaining in simple and direct terms about his "creation" of animals and their various functions and then assures us it is He who has the Power over everything. This statement includes the fact Allah can if He Wills, reshape and alter his creation as He Chooses. There is clear evidence within many species of alteration and changes within the species. However, there is no concrete evidence to support a cross over in development from one type to another, such as reptiles turning into birds or alligators turning into cows. The statements made in Quran are quite clear when Allah tells us of having brought forth other life forms and then destroying or replacing them with others. 

However, The theory of Evolution is still a theory not a fact. And we can't say it is totally wrong or totally right. Because some side of this theory is seems to be controversial (click here to read : Facts vs. Interpretations: Understanding Islam & Evolution) and some are similar to Quranic teachings. If evolution is happened, That will be the will of Allah. 

Here are some Quran verses that indicate some parts of the theory.

Remember that Quran talks about creation of Adam and Eve (first human beings) from spiritual world but not told us how they came to earth. It may be miraculous appearance of them or may be other ways like  how Isa (as)(Jesus) came to earth. I am not sure and only Allah knows best. But I am not saying it blindly, This Quran verse also indicating something other than traditional understanding. Remember I am not sure about this, I am only showing possibilities. 

“Indeed, the example of Jesus in the sight of Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, “Be!” And he was!”(Quran 5:59)   

This verse talks about the similarities between Adam and Jesus. Most of Muslims believes that this means that they were both created miraculously and instantly. Well, Jesus was not. Jesus developed as an Embryo, so Adam may have too. Jesus was born without a father but he had a mother, Adam may have too, perhaps the mother bearing Adam was non-human like and God caused a mutation to make Adam. That is of course how mutations occur, they occur before the fetus is formed. It doesn't mean Adam was became human purposelessly through different forms, It may be sudden changes from one creation to another by the will of Allah. May be because of that, There is no evidence for the link between Apes and Human. And What about the verse talks about Adam was created from dust? We all know that was from the spiritual world not in this world according to other verses in the Quran. Further into verse 3:59, when Allah said 'be' and it is, is most likely referring to genetic processes like a mutation. How could have Jesus been created without a father scientifically? (Click here to read: It is possible to fertilize an egg without sperm) Perhaps Allah has added genetic processes to the egg before it became a fetus to make Jesus, the same may be occurred to Adam.  Also take note that: The biggest similarity between Jesus and Adam (pbuh) though is that they were both prophets when they were born, So compared to the other prophets, like Muhammad (pbuh) who was told he was a prophet later in life, Jesus and Adam have the most similarity. 

“Say, "Travel through the land and observe how He began creation” (Quran 29:20)

This verse is a direct commandment to humans telling us to travel the Earth and observe how creation was brought forth. If Allah created every things instantly He can just say "observe how is his creations" but Allah is telling us to "observe how he began creation". The funny thing is Darwin unknowingly followed the commandment and has discovered how creation began, from his travels he published a revolutionary book titled “The Origin of Species”.

"Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?" (Quran 21:30)

This verse contain starting stage of both big bang theory and Evolution.

“And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allah and high above what they associate with Him.” (Quran 28:68)

The conjunction "and" indicates a connection between two related but different points. This verse differentiates Creation and Selection as two related points. The question we ask is why? Why is choose/select used in conjunction to the creation? It is a hint that creation and selection both occurred. So it indicate something like natural selection but it is actually not. Because next words refuting blind natural selection by saying "not for them was the choice". So this verse indicate that every changes happened by the will of Allah.

“God created you in diverse stages” (Quran 71:14)  

This verse could be talking about our personal creation in the wombs of our mothers and it could also be a reference of the creation of humanity in full.

“And when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know." (Quran 2:30)

“O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous, Who created you, then proportioned you, and then balanced you; in whatever form He willed has He assembled you” (Quran 82: 6-9)

This verse is referring to the whole of mankind. It separates creation, proportioning and balancing into 3 separate categories implying a difference of steps and time in each. Then the verse tells us that we (mankind) have been assembled through the process of creation, proportioning and balancing  into a form that which Allah expected.

“If it were His will, He could destroy you, o mankind, and create another race; for He hath power this to do” (Quran 4:133)

“If He wills, He can do away with you and bring forth a new creation” (Quran 35:16)

“If God wills he can remove you and put in your place a new creation” (Quran 14:19)

“And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; they will not be the likes of you” (Quran 47:38)

“If he wills, he can do away with you and give succession after you to whatever he wills, just as He produced you from the descendants of another people” (Quran 6.133)  

These above verses indicating that if Allah wills, he can make another creation from us.

“And Allah has caused you to grow from the earth a [progressive] growth” (Quran 71:17)

This verse indicate that organisms grew from the earth progressively.

“He created the heavens and earth in truth and formed you and perfected your forms; and to Him is the [final] destination.”(Quran 64:3)

“We have created them and strengthened their forms, and when We will, We can change their likenesses with [complete] alteration.” (Quran 76:28)

Here, Allah has given us stronger forms. He created us and made us better. And when he pleases, he will substitute us by a creation with a change! How did God strengthen human's make? Could it be through evolution? If this verse should be interpreted otherwise, then why does it not simply state, 'It is We who have created them in a strong make,' instead of implying two separate steps and a time lapse? The same argument pertains to one translation of the following verse: 'He...designed you and (time lapse) perfected your design...' (64:3)    

One question may arise in our mind : Why didn't the Quran just say we share a common ancestor with apes or anything else? 

Imagine the Quran literally just came out and said we actually share an ancestor with apes or something! Imagine the attacks Muhammad (pbuh) would have gotten.  Imagine Muhammad (pbuh) said that to the people back then! People would have called him 'unscientific' or 'idiotic' or 'deluded'. So the Quran has to only hint at evolution.  If the Quran made these claims directly, then people of 7th century belief would never accept it. Muhammad (pbuh) was getting laughed at in Mecca, Imagine he made even more absurd claims to them, like we came from ape-like humans or the Earth is round? Even the most open-minded people would call him an idiot.  Islam would never spread. Allah is all knowing and all-intelligent, he knows the most efficient thing to do is to have the Quran accept 7th century belief without contradicting reality. The Quran must support modern belief as well as 7th century belief. And neither side should contradict each other. This tells you that the author of the Quran is very knowledgeable about 7th century belief and modern belief and very intelligent. The Quran avoids certain words so it doesn't negatively affect 7th century belief and modern belief. It was written for all times and places. That is why the Quran seems to hint at things and never explicitly describe them.

Allah created and planned this universe on scientific laws; evolution may be one of them. Evolution means way more ingenious creator than a wizard who had to come to Earth and pull species one after another because he couldn't plan that from the beginning and you know very well that Allah is the best planner, evolution may be part of the plan from the beginning of creation of this universe. If Allah wills he can put every things instantly but it may not be good for us and other living things. Because every thing has it's own consciousness, so it may be difficult to live without family chain, supportive systems and so many other factors too. You can understand if you think. So if evolution happened it must be for the benefit for all creations of Allah. Allah knows best.

“And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allah and high above what they associate with Him.” (Quran 28:68)

I am using this verse again to refute blind natural selection ( One of very weak part of Evolution theory) The human body consists of different parts, Like our hands and feet, or our inner organs. How is it possible then that blind atoms can create hands, feet and organs. Just think about it!! Atoms don't posses any knowledge about life conditions. But they should be able to create a human body that is viable? Really? How can the atoms of your eye create an eye that is able to see the sun, while they are not able to see the sun themselves? Are they saying that our ear atoms have created our ears, while they are not able to hear themselves? And the atoms of the tongue cannot taste, but they created the tongue? How should this all be possible? Come on, does that really make sense to us? We all know that atoms have no pattern, right? Then how were the atoms able to create organs which were designed so perfectly that you would think specific patterns were used for each one of them? The organs themselves are a miracle of creation. How can simple atoms place the organs, at the perfect places in our bodies? More than that, how can they even know the numbers of the organs that are essential for our bodies? All these activities are only possible with specific attributes, Like an eternal life, will, knowledge and an eternal might. He is Allah.

We can accept or reject the Evolution theory, But that is not our purpose of life. We are different from all other creation of Allah, Because we have very high intelligence than others. So use that intelligence to find your creator and submit to him.

References:

The noble Quran

Pre-Darwinian Muslim Scholars’ Views on Evolution - Dr. Muhammad Sultan Shah

Towards Eternity / Youtube

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