The concept of Evolution is not new to the history of science even in Islamic civilization. So if we go back in history of science within the Islamic civilization. We see in many texts and books mentions the idea of evolution or we can consider them as pre-theories to evolution Such as: AL JAHETH (776-868), IBN MISKAWAYH (932-1030), IKWAN AS-SAFA (10TH CENTURY), IBN KHALDOUN (14TH CENTURY).They all are talking about the similar to evolution and the changing of species with time. They even talk about the extent of human evolution to a certain extent .Thus, the change of species within time and derived from a common ancestor is not new to the psyche of the Islamic civilization. When the people given their ideas, they are not considered kuffar (ignorant) because they are presenting the Islam as should be and people are practicing the Islam as should be.
In the Modern times, when we talk about the evolution the biggest name came into our mind is “CHARLES DARWIN”. He was born on 12-feb-1809 in England was an English Naturalist, Biologist, Geologist best known for his contribution to the science of evolution. His propositions were that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestor. Darwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book “ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES”.
Darwin when setting off from England in 1831 for a five-year voyage, Darwin had little ambitious for ground breaking scientific research. After surveying the coasts of South America the ship stopped over the island known as “GALLAPAGO”. During his visit to the island his main attention was on birds. He stuffed his collecting bag with what he thought was different types of Finches or Birds. After 5weeks on the “GALLAPAGO” Darwin and the Beagle (name of the ship) went on other parts of the pacific and finally sail for the home. On Board he started thinking about the vast number of species that he collected on a 5-year voyage. He says that all the birds he collected actually are variation of a single type. After deep study on the species that he collected from the Galapagos Island he came to the conclusion that for somehow and for some reason species change. He said that originally there is only one Finch or Bird on the island but overtime it had diversified into many types.
We as a Muslims have no problem with this evolution and also have no problem affirming anything that science has also yet said. Science says there were Dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurs’ Rex and so on. Allah tells us in Quran that “I have created what you don’t know”. Allah says that there were many creatures that you don’t know about that, so we don’t have any problem affirming other creatures out there. The main issue comes that our Modern Scientists and Biologists says that when you examine the DNA of the human and you examine the DNA of other species you find a type of commonality and pattern. Let’s say the closer of the DNA of monkey is close to the DNA of humans. Now, before Muslims come out and say we don’t believe in Evolution. We have to educate ourselves that what actually evolution is because some type of evolution are that we have no problem with it for e.g.: it is scientifically proven that if Lizards and Butterflies are subjugated to different circumstances in the environment they will over generations change, adopt, and modify in the given environmental conditions and we have documented it as we see it our own eyes and the 50th generation of the species is not going to be the same like of first generation and we have no problem with this evolution for us it shows the power of Allah that his creation has been created within the limit of the capacity to Modify and fortify itself from threats. We as a Muslims don’t have any verse of a Quran or a Hadith that Allah forbids this type of changing. What I was talking about is that this is the topic we only find discussed amongst the religious circles and yet it is the topic that is in the mind of youths, it is in the minds of elders and we know nothing what to say.
According to my opinion if somebody says that all the species of the world and all the animals of the world came from an common ancestor or one proto mechanism as long as they don’t include human beings in that, that’s the big exception then I have nothing to say to this person I cannot refuse him from Quran and Sunnah. Allah didn’t say that he created a Cat or a Dog and these are all from this ancestor. However if they say Mankind is also connect to this chain here I say, I cannot agree because the Quran and the Hadith is very explicit that Allah has fashioned our father “ADAM” with his two hands and then he breathe life into him and then the ADAM came from Heaven to this earth. So there is no evolution of species, it was literally over night that ADAM comes out of heaven into this earth with his wife EVE. Allah clearly says in the Quran in “surat ul Nisa” that from two of them we spread Multitudes of men and women so the Quran is explicit and there is no ambiguity here.
Scientists don’t say that the Adam and Eve is an incorrect story and we cannot scientifically prove that Adam and Eve is correct story, there is an element of faith involved. Scientists for example say that “A” is created from “B” and “B” is created from “C”. In this same sense we can say that Allah is created “A”, “B” and “C”. Science believes in no faith and science says there is no God. It is an pre assumption of science and their entire workings and under printings are from this basis and when you take the God out of the equation you have to linkage between “A”, “B” & “C”. For us we say two things: We believe in God so there is a faith and if you take God out of the picture then what is life? How did life come about and how this evolution come about.
Finally, if it comes to Adam and Eve we cannot accept Metaphorical interpretation of Quran. We believe that Allah creates Adam and Eve and from two of them we are descendants it is something clear cut and however when it comes to other animals or species that how they evolve we cannot say anything about that because Quran and Hadith are silent on that. I would say as a believer that it is Impossible for Science to ever contradict with our book because science is the study of Allah’s creation and the book is speech of Allah and Allah’s creation.

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