Author: M. Asim Ismail Zahi
Examining Darwin’s Theory (Part 6)
The Continuation of the Human Race and Its Evolutionary Path – Survival of Its Lineage:
The Holy Quran, after discussing the creation of the first human, attributes the continuity of the human race to fertilization (nutfa) and states: “وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ الْإِنْسَانِ مِنْ طِينٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُ مِنْ سُلَالَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ مَهِينٍ.” “فَلْيَنْظُرِ الْإِنْسَانُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ خُلِقَ مِنْ مَاءٍ دَافِق يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بَيْنِ الصُّلْبِ وَالتَّرَائِبِ.” Translation: “Let man observe and reflect on what he was created from! He was created from a gushing fluid, emanating from between the backbone and the ribs.”
Indeed, the Quran identifies nutfa, which is the living cell, as the essence of life. Modern science also asserts that nutfa refers to the living cell, termed khaliya in Arabic and cell in English. These cells also operate under additional laws, namely the “laws of hereditary units.” This undoubtedly reflects the omnipotent power of the Creator.
Returning to the Quran, we learn: “سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى الَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّى وَالَّذِي قَدَّرَ فَهَدَى.” “Exalt the name of your Almighty Lord, who created and proportioned; and who destined and guided.”
Dr. Abdul Ra’uf Mokhles, in his book The Miracles of the Quran, writes: “Man must consider what he was created from! This is a divine call for mankind to delve into the realm of scientific investigation, exploring the essence and reality of the substance of life and their creation.”
However, this divine call doesn’t stand alone. Another verse closely follows, revealing the essence of human creation: “خُلِقَ مِنْ مَاءٍ دَافِقٍ.” “Created from a gushing fluid.”
Thus, this Quranic challenge invites humanity to investigate—and it must—but eventually concludes what the Quran itself has elucidated: the essence of human life begins with the nutfa.
Modern science affirms that nutfa is the living cell, termed khaliya in Arabic and cell in English. This “living cell” is the very essence of life. While it is devoid of intellect, form, will, and power, its intricate and prolonged journey reveals the marvels of creation. Despite its microscopic size, it carries a multitude of wonders that may confront humanity from birth to death.
This simple cell, lacking intellect and will, knows its designated path and purpose because the Almighty Creator has armed it with knowledge, power, and determination, showing it the way. How else could this cell navigate its destined course and initiate its functions precisely where intended? Without a doubt, it is the omnipotent hand of the Almighty that declares: “سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الْأَعْلَى.” “Exalt the name of your Almighty Lord.”
The hereditary units embedded in the structural composition of the living cell invalidate Darwin’s “theory of evolution,” which posits that all living species originated from a single cell that evolved into humans over time. This theory is fundamentally flawed, particularly concerning the discovery of hereditary factors—an area unknown to Darwin. These factors ensure that each living species retains its unique characteristics, negating the possibility of transitioning from one species to another.
For instance, a cat has always been a cat since the dawn of creation and will remain so. Similarly, a dog, cow, horse, monkey, and so on will preserve their specific types throughout time. Even if evolution occurs, it remains confined within the boundaries of each species’ inherent nature, not transcending into other species.
The Quran also presents an intriguing narrative: it describes certain groups of people who, due to their sins, were transformed into monkeys and apes (masikh). In other words, the Quran suggests that humans are the ancestors of a certain type of monkey, not the other way around. The Quran states: “وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ الَّذِينَ اعْتَدَوْا مِنْكُمْ فِي السَّبْتِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ.” “And you certainly knew those among you who transgressed on the Sabbath. We said to them, ‘Be apes, despised and rejected.'”
It further adds: “قُلْ هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُم بِشَرٍّ مِّن ذَٰلِكَ مَثُوبَةً عِندَ اللَّهِ ۚ مَن لَّعَنَهُ اللَّهُ وَغَضِبَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهُمُ الْقِرَدَةَ وَالْخَنَازِيرَ وَعَبَدَ الطَّاغُوتَ.” “Say, ‘Shall I inform you of those worse in punishment from Allah? They are those whom Allah has cursed, upon whom He has unleashed His wrath, and some of whom He transformed into apes and pigs, and those who worshipped false deities.'”
Finally, it states: “فَلَمَّا عَتَوْا عَنْ مَا نُهُوا عَنْهُ قُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ.” “When they persisted in what they were forbidden, we said to them: ‘Become apes, despised.’ This means that when they refused to abandon the things they were prohibited from and acted rebelliously, we commanded them to be transformed into rejected apes (and due to their animalistic nature, they were cast out from human society, despised among people and distanced from the mercy of God).”
Continues…
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