Charles Darwin (1809–1882) published his famous book On the Origin of Species in 1859, in which he discussed natural selection and the theory of evolution. Neither Darwin nor his fellow theorists Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) and Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–1895) were the first to write on this important topic. Abū ʿUthman ʿAmr ibn Baḥr al-Kinānī al-Baṣrī (776–869), commonly known as al-Jāḥiẓ, wrote on natural selection nearly 1000 years before Darwin published his book [1].
The theory has faced much controversy ever since Darwin published his book. It is just a theory that is yet to be proven. However, since the 1940s, the scientific community no longer considers it to be controversial. It seems the problem is not so much between religion and science but between atheists and Western dogmatic religious groups. Luckily, there is a middle ground, in the form of theistic evolution or God-guided evolution. Theists argue that “evolution is real, but that it was set in motion by God.”
As far as the Islamic view is concerned, “the Quran and Sunnah neither confirm nor deny the theory of biological evolution or the process referred to as natural selection. The question of evolution remains purely a matter of scientific inquiry. The theory of evolution must stand or fall on its own scientific merits – and that means the physical evidence that either confirms the theory or conflicts with it.” [2]
Darwin was not a religious man nor an atheist. He described himself as an agnostic. In a letter addressed to John Fordyce, dated 7th May 1879, Charles Darwin wrote, “In my most extreme fluctuations I have never been an atheist in the sense of denying the existence of a God. — I think that generally (& more and more so as I grow older) but not always, that an agnostic would be the most correct description of my state of mind.” [3]
Going back to the theory, it is just that – a theory – and so far an unproven theory. Evolutionary scientists accept that macro-level changes in evolution are not possible to observe, as changes take millions of years. However, it is possible to scientifically observe micro-level changes, and nobody denies natural selection at the micro level. Microevolution refers to tiny genetic modifications in an organism that result in tiny superficial changes, e.g., the size of a beak in a bird. The problem arises when we take our assumption as a fact that micro-level changes would eventually result in macro-level changes; thus, the micro equals macro fallacy.
Macroevolution would be if humans started to grow feathers or wings. That would be a major genetic change in the evolution of humans. There’s no evidence to suggest that macroevolution ever happened or ever will.
Regardless, the problem is not so much the science but rather the atheists. The Antichrist and the atheists could not resist using and abusing the theory for their nefarious agenda to promote a godless society.
Atheists were provided a major weapon by Thomas Henry Huxley when he published his book Evidence as to Man’s Place in Nature in 1863. The book claims to show humans and apes are from common ancestors. The infamous March of Progress Image illustrates how apes evolved into Homo-erectus through various stages. The impact visual effects have on the feeble-minded is stunning. Thomas Henry Huxley “has become known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” for his advocacy of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.” [4]
Huxley commissioned Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins to draw the March of Progress Image. Strangely, Hawkins’s name is not mentioned on the Wikipedia page of Thomas Huxley. The reason behind it is that Hawkins became a very ardent critic of the theory of evolution. So, it was probably considered convenient to omit his contribution, as it did not suit the propaganda. [5]
The speciation process as a theory is thought-provoking, but humans never evolved from any other creation. The Qur’an is unambiguous on the origin of humanity.
“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah (SWT) is the most righteous among you. Allah (SWT) is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Qur’an 49:13)
Charles Darwin had a half-cousin named Francis Galton (1822-1911); he was a British polymath who started the eugenics movement. Galton believed that human character is entirely, or at least in the majority, caused by genes and not by the environment, hence the nature versus nurture debate. Eugenicists encourage the idea of controlling the human population through selective breeding and exterminating the undesirables. It makes you wonder whether these theorists take lessons from the Antichrist before writing on anti-humanity ideas.
During the last sermon, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reminded people that:
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.” https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/articles/thelastsermon.html
References
[1] “al-Jahiz,” 22 10 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Jahiz.
[2] “Biological Evolution – An Islamic Perspective,” 21 March 2010. [Online]. Available: https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/657/biological-evolution-an-islamic-perspective/.
[3] “Darwin Correspondence Project,” [Online]. Available: https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/DCP-LETT-12041.xml.
[4] “Thomas Henry Huxley,” 19 10 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Henry_Huxley.
[5] “Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins,” 18 08 2024. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Waterhouse_Hawkins.
