Pages

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The claim that man descended from apes is false

Q: There are some who claim that man was once an ape and then evolved. Is this correct, and is there any evidence to support this?

A: This statement is false; the evidence on that is that Allah has clarified in the Qur’an the stages of Adam’s creation, saying (what means): "Verily, the likeness of ‘Isâ (Jesus) before Allâh is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust" [3:57]

Then that dust was wetted until it became sticky clay, clinging to the hands; Allah the Exalted says (what means):

"And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth)." [23:12]

Allah also says (what means): "Verily, We created them of a sticky clay." [37:11]

Then it turned into altered black mud;

Allah the Exalted states (what means): "And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud." [15:26]

And when it dried, it turned into clay like that of pottery; Allah the Exalted states (what means): "He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery." [55:14]

Allah then fashioned Adam into the form that He willed and then breathed into him the soul which He created for him, Allah the Exalted says (what means):

"And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) the soul which I created for him, then fall (you) down prostrating yourselves unto him." [15:28-29]

These are the stages of Adam’s creation according to the Qur’an. As for the stages of creating Adam’s offspring, Allah the Exalted says (what means):

"And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allâh, the Best of creators." [23:14]

As for Adam’s wife, Hawwa’ (Eve), Allah the Exalted has clarified that He created her from Adam, saying (what means):

"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwâ’ (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women" [4:1]

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member Member Deputy Chairman Chairman
`Abdullah ibn Qa`ud `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-Razzaq `Afify `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

SOURCE: Permanent Committee Fatwas>Group 1>Volume 1 (`Aqidah 1)>Creeds>Tawhid-ul-Rububiyyah>The evolution theory>What is the validity of the apeman theory / The fifth question of Fatwa No. 5167
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: I have read a lot about the theory that humans evolved from an apelike ancestor. The theory proposes that humans went through several stages until they developed into the modern man. Is this true? Are the organs of apes similar to those of humans? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with the best!

A: This statement is false, unacceptable, and contradictory to the Book of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as well as the Ijma` (consensus) of the Salaf (righteous predecessors).

This theory which was introduced by Darwin is proven to be a lie, for modern humans originated from a human ancestry, not from an ape or anything else.

Allah created our father Adam (peace be upon him) from clay. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states, "And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth)." [23:12]

Allah created Adam from clay and molded him in His Image. Adam was sixty cubits tall, but people have been decreasing in stature since then. He was created in the form and shape of today humans. His children were created in his image; they have ears, eyes, minds, and the same shape of today human. They stand upright, they speak, hear and see, and they can use their hands.

They do not have the form of apes and do not share apes the same organs. Human beings are of a special origin as are apes, pigs, dogs, donkeys, cats, etc.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states, "There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered." [6:38]

These communities will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection to have the scores among them settled and it will be said to them, 'Be dust.' On the other hand, Jinn and mankind will be called to account and will be rewarded according to their deeds; whoever obeys Allah will enter Jannah (Paradise) and whoever disbelieves in Him will enter the Hellfire.

These communities are distinct species; apes are a species that have their own nature, form, and characteristics, and so are the pigs, dogs, donkeys, camels, cows, sheep, etc.

Each of these species has its own shape and characteristics which Allah (Exalted be He) molded.

He is the All-Wise and All-Knowing of the minute details and formation of each species. A servant of Allah must believe that the creation of Adam differs from the creation of apes and the form of Adam is the same as that of today's man and not as apes or anything else.

The claim that man descended from an apelike ancestor is false and unacceptable. Therefore, it is correct to assume that anyone who espouses this theory is a Kafir (disbeliever). The most correct view is that whoever believes this theory while knowing the ruling of Shari`ah in this regard is a Kafir and such a person then belie Allah, His Messenger and the Qur'an which gives a clear description of the creation of Adam .
SOURCE: Fatwas of Nur `Ala Al-Darb>Volume 1>Chapter on `Aqidah>Chapter on Tawhid-related topics>Claiming that humans evolved from apes is a false claim

 

Reference: qsep.com