By: Allama Mohammed Shihabuddin Nadvi

Blind Faith and Unsubstantiated Arguments
All this leads one to believe in the hypothetical nature of the evolution theory, although it is merely a figment of fertile imagination, and a concoction churned out by materialists in opposition to religion and religious values. The theory of evolution thus runs parallel to the religious concept of creation. If the evolutionists doubt it, they have no option but to declare openly their faith in the existence of God. This they will never do as they have developed a nausea towards religion and its values. I consider it the biggest ever lie floated in the contemporary age. Is it not tragic that hypothetical nay fictitious theory is being blindly accepted by the man? The demand of rationalism and scientific temper is that only empirically verified facts are accepted. This is the spirit of science. This leaves no scope for atheism and irreligiosity. Atheism cannot find any proof or substantiation. But atheists manipulate the laws of nature to contrive evidence in order to satisfy their whims and fancies. The holy Qur’an terms such tendencies as following “one’s whims and fancies”, or “to deify one’s own ego”, “to worship objects other than Allah”, or “to talk ignorantly” and “arrogance”:

Nay, the wrong-doers (merely) follow their own lusts, being devoid of knowledge. (Qur’an, 30:29)

Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah has, knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight. Who, then, will guide him after Allah (has withdrawn Guidance)? Will ye not then receive admonition? (Qur’an, 45:23)

Yet they worship, besides Allah things for which no authority has been sent down to them, and of which they have (really) no knowledge. (Qur’an, 22:71)

Those who dispute about the Signs of Allah without any authority bestowed on them,- there is nothing in their breasts but (the quest of) greatness, which they shall never attain to.
(Qur’an, 40:56)

This and many other similar verses of the holy Qur’an effectively counter the atheism and other misleading ideologies and they apply to all situations of human history and psychological conditions of man. It is why the Qur’an ever appears to be relevant and enlivening.

However it should be sufficiently evident from this argument that materialists are themselves victims of irrational ideologies of which they have accused the religionists. One has to follow the progress of this concept in future.

Miracle of the Holy Qur’an
So we have the story of the Prophet Adam as narrated by the holy Qur’an on the one hand and latest studies on conscious species before Adam on the other. Any effort to bring about computability among the two will reveal the miraculous feature of the holy Qur’an. Qur’an invites its readers to ponder over the various manifestations of nature and probe into the genesis of life in order that they serve as final warning from Allah. The rational arguments could be refuted but not the empirical and scientific ones which are one’s own observations. The holy Qur’an invites its readers to contemplate on natural phenomenon. It is one of the most wonderful aspect of the holy Qur’an:

Say: “Behold all that is in the heavens and on earth” (Qur’an, 10:101)

Say: “Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation.” (Qur’an, 29:20)

And in the creation of yourselves and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are Signs for those of assured Faith. (Qur’an, 45:4)

This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds. And ye shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while. (Qur’an, 30:87-88)

Russel’s Objections
The noted contemporary philosopher Bertrand Russel made certain somersaults while commenting on evolution in his book, The Impact of Science on Society. He believed that no one can contradict his views. The points raised by him were in derisive nay insulting tone against the religion. Though Christianity was his prime target, but no religion has been made an exception from his virulent attack.

He writes:
Darwinism has had many effects upon man’s outlook on life and the world. The absence of any sharp line between man and apes is very awkward for theology. When did men get souls? Was the missing link capable of sin and therefore worthy of Hell? Did Pithecanthropus Erectus have moral responsibility? Was Homo Pekiniensis damned? Did Pilt-down man go to heaven? Any answer must be arbitrary.102

He further writes:
We must ask again: Should Pithecanthropus, if still alive, enjoy ‘The Right of Man’? Would Homo Pekiniensis have been the equal of Newton if he could have gone to Cambridge? Was the Pilt-down man just as intelligent as the present inhabitants of the Sussex village? If you answer all these questions in the democratic sense, you can be pushed back to the anthropoid apes, and if you stick to your guns, you can be driven back ultimately to the amoeba.103

Had Russel been alive today, he must have found his points adequately answered and his persistent refusal to have faith in the God would have lost justification. Monkeys and apes are those very creatures which despite vast similarities with human beings betray no iota of human wisdom. Experience shows that the monkeys could be tamed but cannot be turned into as useful and wise as men.

A few species of animals do appear to be similar but vastly vary in characteristics e.g., horse and mule. Though mules are cross breed of horses and asses, they do not possess any fraction of that energy which horses exude. The question that as to why mules have remained mules for thousands of years and did not evolve into horses could be justifiably asked! Why is it that mules remain fettered? This could be valid with other animals too. Then it will be just worthless to presume that the ape-man would have produced scientists, had they survived till this day.

Russel’s Ignorance
It has already been mentioned that the Pilt-down man was a fake and contrived species of man. Yet he refers to the Pilt-down man with a great authenticity. How could a great philosopher refer to it like this?

Russel’s (1872-1970) above mentioned book appeared in the world of books for the first time in 1952. It was the same year when Pilt-down man was proved a fake discovery. But Russel remained ignorant. The latter editions of his book retained the references to the fake Pilt-down man. A great philosopher, to remain so ignorant of contemporary discoveries is something unimaginable. Could we then take his criticism of religion as justified.

So far we had a discussion on the contemporary and Islamic beliefs about creation and evolution. It was basically ignorance that led the modern philosophers to conclude that Islam too based itself on myths. The Encyclopaedia Britannica has a chapter on “Islamic Doctrine and Myth”. It appears that there is an attempt to show Islam in superstitious lights.104

Secondly an impression has been created that Islam is merely a subsidiary to Judaism and Christianity and bases itself on their teachings.

For example this passage:
This picture of God – wherein the attributes of power, justice, and mercy interpenetrate – is related to the Judeo-Christian tradition, whence it is derived with certain modifications.105

But if at all Islam is mythical, why is it so successful in responding to modern challenges than the Judaism and Christianity? Islam could hardly be termed as a derivative of Christianity and Judaism which have gone out of date. All such objections being raised against Islam today are nothing new. Even in the earliest period during the Prophethood of Hazrath Muhammad the pagans extended such allegations.

But the Misbelievers say: “Naught is this but a lie which he has forged, and others have helped him at it.” In truth it is they who have put forward an iniquity and a falsehood. And they say: “Tales of the ancients, which he has caused to be written: and they are dictated before him morning and evening.” (Qur’an, 25:4-5)

Often the pagans of Arabia came up with such allegation but could not sufficiently substantiate them. The Qur’an however preserved these charges and provided adequate replies. In yet another verse it says:

Say (unto them O Muhammad!): “He Who knows the secret of the heavens and the earth has revealed it (i.e. Qur’an).
(Qur’an, 25:6)

The veracity of this statement is being established much more forcibly in the present age than it did earlier. Had it been a human effort, or a mere collection of tales or fiction, it would not have referred to the mysteries of the universe. Inevitably, one has to accept that the Qur’an has been revealed by the one who knows all those mysteries. This is what the above verse implies. Thus it is evident from the verse that the one who knows these mysteries is also the Author of the holy Qur’an, thereby the source of both being the one and the same. In this respect too, the Qur’an is a miracle, replete with eternal truths which are getting clearer in the light of modern researches.

Soon will We show them Our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?
(Qur’an, 41:53)

All these verses must be enough to convince one that the holy Qur’an is a divine scripture, revealed on Prophet Muhammad. Its chief quality lies in its being a solution to all intellectual issues and mysteries of the universe, besides being a complete code of law. It is a guidance for the entire mankind.

Such are some of the stories of the Unseen, which We have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thy people knew them.
(Qur’an, 11:49)

I follow but that which is revealed to me by inspiration; I am but a warner, open and clear.
(Qur’an, 46:9)

We have put forth for men, in this Qur’an every kind of Parable, in order that they may receive admonition. (It is) a Qur’an in Arabic, without any crookedness (therein): in order that they may guard against Evil.
(Qur’an, 39:27-28)

Blessed is He Who sent down the Criterion to His Servant that it may be an admonition to all creatures.
Qur’an, 25:1)

Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds: With it came down the Spirit of Faith and Truth to thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish in the perspicuous Arabic tongue. Without doubt it is (announced) in the mystic Books of former peoples.
(Qur’an, 26:192-96)

From where did this book arrive? On whom was it revealed? Through whom did it arrive? How and why did it arrive? These are the questions that have been explained adequately in the Qur’an.

Furthermore, the Qur’an is the only scripture the veracity of which has been carried by the earlier scriptures such as the Torah and the Bible. But no earlier scriptures ever claimed this veracity. This is one proof of the holy Qur’an being an eternal message for the whole mankind while the earlier scriptures were provisional in nature. The Qur’an retains that individual charm to this day.

References:

102. Russel, Bertrand, The Impact of Science on Society, London, 1976, P. 26.
103. Ibid. 104. Encyclopaedia Britannica, (Micropaedia), 1983. Vol. III, Pp. 226-27.
104. Ibid., Vol. IX, P. 913.