Is evolution compatible with Islam?
The compatibility of evolution with Islam is a complex topic that has been discussed among scholars and practitioners of the faith. One key verse that addresses the nature of creation is found in Surah Ar-Room, where it states: So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not -
30:30. This verse highlights the concept of fitrah, or the innate nature that Allah has instilled in humans, which many scholars interpret as a sign of the divine plan in creation.
Ibn Kathir explains that this verse emphasizes the importance of adhering to the innate nature and the right religion established by Allah. He notes that the idea of "no altering the creation of Allah" can be understood in the context of maintaining the integrity of the fitrah, which is often viewed as aligning with the principles of Islam. This suggests that while the mechanisms of creation can be explored scientifically, the fundamental truth of creation as ordained by Allah remains unchanged.
Moreover, various Islamic scholars have expressed differing views on evolution. Some embrace the idea that evolutionary processes can be part of God's creation, seeing no conflict between the scientific understanding of evolution and the belief in a divine creator. Others may hold a more traditional view that interprets the creation narrative in a literal sense.
The discourse surrounding evolution in Islam often revolves around the interpretation of scripture and the relationship between faith and science. It's acknowledged that humans possess a unique status in creation, and discussions about evolution typically emphasize the distinction between the biological processes that may explain the development of life and the spiritual and moral dimensions that define humanity in Islamic theology.
In summary, while there are diverse opinions within the Islamic tradition regarding evolution, many scholars suggest that it can be compatible with Islamic beliefs, provided that the ultimate creation and purpose remain attributed to Allah.
Sources
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30:30 · Ar-Room
30:30 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not -
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 30:30
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 30:30
Allah Almighty commands in this verse: "So set your face to the religion, the upright faith of Abraham, upon which He has guided you, and complete it for you to perfection. And hold firmly to your innate nature—the pure fitrah—which Allah has created mankind upon. Indeed, He fashioned His creation to recognize Him and accept His Oneness, as He testified to them, saying: 'Am I not your Lord?' They said: 'Yes.'" This is affirmed by the hadith where the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "I created My servants on the pure monotheistic nature, but the devils misled them from their religion." This fitrah, or innate disposition, is Islam in its true form, though erroneous religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism have been introduced afterward by human deviation. Regarding the phrase "There is no altering the creation of Allah," some scholars interpret it as a prohibition against changing the natural disposition appointed by Allah. It is thus a command not to distort the fitrah. Others view it as a statement asserting that Allah has created all humans alike in the upright nature without distinction at birth; none is born outside of this fitrah. This meaning is supported by the understanding of companions and early exegetes like Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and others who took "creation of Allah" here to mean His religion, that is, Islam. Al-Bukhari recorded the understanding that the "creation of Allah" here refers to His religion — the religion of the first generations, which is Islam, uncorrupted by later innovations. Multiple authentic hadith support this concept. Abu Hurayrah reported the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying that every child is born upon the fitrah, but their parents make them Jewish, Christian, or Magian — just as animals produce animals of their kind without deviation. The Prophet exhorted not to kill offspring even when enmity was present, emphasizing that all souls come into the world upon the upright nature until their tongue gives expression, after which their choices may differ between gratitude and ingratitude. This principle was recognized by many companions: Jabir ibn Abdullah mentioned it, Ibn Abbas commented that God knows best the deeds of children at birth, and others recounted the Prophet's concern over indiscriminate killing, instructing mercy toward even the children of idolaters. The verse continues by declaring "That is the right religion," meaning adherence to the revealed law and the sound, uncorrupted fitrah is the true, upright way. Yet most people do not know or recognize it due to negligence or misguidance, as Allah states elsewhere that most people do not understand even though it benefits them. The rulings to "turn to Him in repentance, fear Him, establish prayer, and be not among the polytheists" emphasize returning sincerely to Allah, practicing consciousness of Him and worship in pure monotheism, rejecting all forms of associating partners with Him. As for those who "split their religion and were divided into sects, each party rejoicing in what they have," this refers to those who abandoned or altered the pure religion, accepting some parts and rejecting others, such as Jews, Christians, Magians, idolaters, and other corrupted faith groups. These divisions arose from human alterations and deviations. In contrast, the saved group, the Muslims who follow the way of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, adhere strictly to the Qur'an and Sunnah as practiced by the earliest righteous generations—the companions and their followers—who maintained the correct way. Thus, Ibn Kathir’s commentary on this verse affirms the fitrah as a natural state ordained by Allah, the perfection of Islam as the religion of Abraham, and warns against religious deviations that fragment and corrupt true faith.
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