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Evolution and Islam: Difference between revisions
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This article analyses the claim by apologists that the qur'an and Darwin's theory of evolution are compatible. | This article analyses the claim by apologists that the qur'an and Darwin's theory of evolution are compatible. | ||
==21:30== | == Verse 21:30 - All Living Things Made From Water== | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|21|30}}|Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? '''We made from water every living thing.''' Will they not then believe? }} | {{Quote|{{Quran|21|30}}|Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? '''We made from water every living thing.''' Will they not then believe? }} | ||
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Different forms of life with variable origin processes may have appeared simultaneously in the early history of Earth.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=are-aliens-among-us&sc=SA_20071119 |title=Are Aliens Among Us?|publisher=Scientific American |last=Davies |first=P |date=19 November 2007 }}</ref> | Different forms of life with variable origin processes may have appeared simultaneously in the early history of Earth.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=are-aliens-among-us&sc=SA_20071119 |title=Are Aliens Among Us?|publisher=Scientific American |last=Davies |first=P |date=19 November 2007 }}</ref> | ||
Further, there is no proof that the verse is about the role of water in evolution. Tafsir Ibn Abbas says that this verse refers only to the dependence of all living things on water.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/TanwirAl-MiqbasMinTafsirIbnAbbasEng Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas] p.361-362</ref> There is nothing miraculous about the claim that water is a constituent of living things. In fact, the Greek philosopher [[Empedocles]] had already proposed that water | Further, there is no proof that the verse is about the role of water in evolution. Tafsir Ibn Abbas says that this verse refers only to the dependence of all living things on water.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/TanwirAl-MiqbasMinTafsirIbnAbbasEng Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas] p.361-362</ref> There is nothing miraculous about the claim that water is a constituent of living things. In fact, the Greek philosopher [[w:Empedocles|Empedocles]] had already proposed that all living things are made from water among other substances, hundreds of years before the Qur'an was revealed.<ref>Frag. B17, (Simplicius, ''Physics'', 157-159)</ref> | ||
==71:13-14== | ==Verse 71:13-14 - Creation in Stages== | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|71|13|14}}|"What is the matter with you, that ye place not your hope for kindness and long-suffering in Allah,- Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse stages?" }} | {{Quote|{{Quran-range|71|13|14}}|"What is the matter with you, that ye place not your hope for kindness and long-suffering in Allah,- Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse stages?" }} | ||
After this verse, the topic abruptly changes to seven heavens. There is no evidence given anywhere to indicate that these ''stages'' refer to evolution. The intended topic may have been [[Embryology in the Qur'an|embryology]] as those are also referred to as stages of man. | After this verse, the topic abruptly changes to seven heavens. There is no evidence given anywhere to indicate that these ''stages'' refer to evolution. The intended topic may have been [[Embryology in the Qur'an|embryology]] as those are also referred to as stages of man. | ||
==29== | ==Verse 29:19-20 and 10:4 - Repeating Creation== | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|29|19|20}}| See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah. Say: "Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things. }} | {{Quote|{{Quran-range|29|19|20}}| See they not how Allah originates creation, then repeats it: truly that is easy for Allah. Say: "Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things. }} | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|10|4}}| To Him will be your return- of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He Who beginneth the process of creation, and repeateth it, that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness; but those who reject Him will have draughts of boiling fluids, and a penalty grievous, because they did reject Him. }} | {{Quote|{{Quran|10|4}}| To Him will be your return- of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and sure. It is He Who beginneth the process of creation, and repeateth it, that He may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness; but those who reject Him will have draughts of boiling fluids, and a penalty grievous, because they did reject Him. }} | ||
In Middle Eastern antiquity, the Great Flood (not evolution) was accepted as the reversal of creation, and the survival of Noah was the new creation. Since the Qur'an supports this story, it is the more likely meaning of ''repeating'' creation. Then Allah dispensing justice, humans returning to him and punishments with boiling fluids are phrases incongruous to evolution. | In Middle Eastern antiquity, the Great Flood (not evolution) was accepted as the reversal of creation, and the survival of Noah was the new creation. Since the Qur'an supports this story, it is the more likely meaning of ''repeating'' creation. Then Allah dispensing justice, humans returning to him and punishments with boiling fluids are phrases incongruous to evolution. | ||
==6== | ==Verse 6:133 Destruction of Humans== | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|6|133}}|Thy Lord is self-sufficient, full of Mercy: if it were His will, He could destroy you, and in your place appoint whom He will as your successors, even as He raised you up from the posterity of other people. }} | {{Quote|{{Quran|6|133}}|Thy Lord is self-sufficient, full of Mercy: if it were His will, He could destroy you, and in your place appoint whom He will as your successors, even as He raised you up from the posterity of other people. }} | ||
This verse has been claimed to have described the hominid ancestors of man. It also sounds as if evolution is ongoing and humans can be replaced by a better species. This is an ad hoc hypothesis; the verse is rather in keeping with several desciptions of destroyed cities in the rest of the Qur'an, all of which are attributed to Allah. | This verse has been claimed to have described the hominid ancestors of man. It also sounds as if evolution is ongoing and humans can be replaced by a better species. This is an ad hoc hypothesis; the verse is rather in keeping with several desciptions of destroyed cities in the rest of the Qur'an, all of which are attributed to Allah. | ||
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The phrase "Raised you up from the posterity of other people" cannot be taken as a reference to apes. It may havve simply referred to other tribes from who the audience of the Qur'an descended. | The phrase "Raised you up from the posterity of other people" cannot be taken as a reference to apes. It may havve simply referred to other tribes from who the audience of the Qur'an descended. | ||
==56== | ==Verse 56:60-62 - Transformation of Humans== | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|56|60|62}}|We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun, That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not. And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect? }} | {{Quote|{{Quran-range|56|60|62}}|We mete out death among you, and We are not to be outrun, That We may transfigure you and make you what ye know not. And verily ye know the first creation. Why, then, do ye not reflect? }} | ||
This verse is a vague resemblance to evolution. It is an ad hoc hypothesis to claim that death being inevitable and humans getting transfigured means evolution. It also contradicts Tafsir Ibn Kathir which says that death and transformation pertain to the Day of Judgement.<ref>[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1653&Itemid=112 Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir]</ref> | This verse is a vague resemblance to evolution. It is an ad hoc hypothesis to claim that death being inevitable and humans getting transfigured means evolution. It also contradicts Tafsir Ibn Kathir which says that death and transformation pertain to the Day of Judgement.<ref>[http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1653&Itemid=112 Quran Tafsir Ibn Kathir]</ref> | ||