The Provenance of Man

The Provenance of Man

In a 2018 poll, 76% of 600 Muslims in America expressed the theory of evolution to be a ‘driver of doubt’ in their religious beliefs. – https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/what-causes-muslims-to-doubt-islam-a-quantitative-analysis

Irrespective of sectarian and methodological affiliation, the theory of evolution continues to be a theological quandary for many Muslims across the spectrum. In specific, how the theory is antithetical to the idea of a first man being created without biological parentage.

In an effort to help curb the inordinately high percentage cited above, a monograph was written particularly to explain and uphold belief in the original creation of Adam (`alayh al-salam) vis-à-vis the dictates of the theory of evolution.

About the Book:

Soon after the inception of the theory of evolution, Muslim scholars were met with the challenge of reconciling Islam’s traditional beliefs concerning the origin of man with certain dictates of the evolutionary narrative. Perhaps the most gripping and pertinent of these was the issue of assigning biological parentage to Ādam (ꜥalayh al-salām). For over 140 years, Muslim scholars have sought to preserve belief in the original creation of Ādam (ꜥalayh al-salām) by formulating a variety of rejoinders focusing on different aspects of the theory of evolution and through an array of apologetics. Oftentimes, many of the arguments were directed foremost against fellow Muslims who sought to make way for evolutionary theory through differing hermeneutical approaches.

This monograph investigates the original creation of Ādam (ꜥalayh al-salām) by utilizing the logical two-tier approach of Muslim dialecticians whereby firstly, the mere rational possibility (imkān) of a human being created without biological parentage will be demonstrated, and secondly, to prove its actual occurrence (wuqūꜥ). The author takes a critical approach to prove that irreconcilable theological inconsistencies would arise from denying Ādamic originality, thereby proving that belief in his original creation remains certain (qaṭꜥī) notwithstanding the demands of the theory of evolution.

Endorsements:  

Shaykh Abdurrahman Mihirig

Dr. Adi Setia, senior student of Professor Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas and founder of the Worldview of Islam Research Academy (WIRA)

Shaykh ꜥUmar Muḥsin, graduate of Ribāṭ Tarīm and senior student of the late al-Ḥabīb Sālim al-Shāṭirī

Shaykh Muḥammad Yāsir al-Ḥanafī, graduate of the Islamic Institute of Dewsbury

Shaykh Asrār Rashīd, senior student of the late al-Sayyid ꜥAbbās b. ꜥAlawī al-Mālikī al-Ḥasanī al-Makkī

About the Author:

Tahseen N. Khan was born and raised in the Philadelphia region. He completed the renowned Dars Nizami curriculum mainly through private, in-person studies under numerous authorized Islamic scholars. He currently resides with his family in the suburbs of Chicago while working full-time as a chemical engineer and pursuing advanced studies in Islamic theology under the tutelage of his teachers.