This is part 1 of the response by Ahmed Alhasan to one of the Sunni scholars about evolution. This excerpt is taken from the book Atheism Delusion.
It is well-known that Al-Azhar University, which represents the Ashari and Maturidi Sunni ideologies, rejects the theory of evolution. Here are some statements from an Al-Azhar graduate who claims to refute evolution: Dr. Umar Sulaiman Ashqar ¹ , in his book Al-Aqeeda fi Allah [Belief in God], begins by explaining his understanding of Darwin’s theory, or the theory of evolution :
Darwin’s explanation of the process of evolution: Natural Selection: Elimination factors cause the weak and frail beings to perish and the strong ones to survive. They call this law “Survival of the Fittest”, so the strong and healthy creature survives, and passes its strong traits to its offspring. With time, the strong traits gather to make a new trait in the organism. This is “abiogenesis” that makes the being with these primary traits evolve into a higher organism. In this manner, evolution continues to occur, and that is progression (Ashqar 1999, 85. Arabic source, translated).
Response:
Abiogenesis is a theory that explains the origin of the first replicators and how they emerged on Earth. It doesn’t have anything to do with the traits of organisms or the law of natural selection. It deals with how the first protein or the first self-replicator, representing the simplest origin of life, came into existence. In regards to organisms evolving and carrying new traits throughout evolution, that’s not the theory of abiogenesis but rather, the process of evolution, while the appearance of a new organism expressing enough traits to separate it from its relatives during the evolutionary process is called speciation or diversification.Wonders never cease with people like Ashqar, who delve into a science they know nothing about. He’s not even capable of distinguishing the theory of abiogenesis from the theory of evolution, or development from speciation, yet he says the theory of evolution is false, and sets out to refute it!
Ashqar later says:
Professor Nabeel George, one of the reliable scientists in this field, says: “For that reason, natural selection does not explain the theory of abiogenesis or evolution. It only explains that the least fit will die, and that some characteristics will spread among the species. Those who speak of evolutionary leaps mean that an animal which did not have an eye suddenly had an eye, because of the action of some rays.
Some specialists have proved that X-rays can cause changes in the number of genes, but this change occurs in something that is already present—it does not create something that does not exist. The number of a monkey’s genes differs from the number of a human’s genes. X-rays only affect the genes that are already present; how could these rays, which do not possess any form of intelligence, create the intelligence in man which distinguishes him from monkeys and other animals?
These rays can affect the genes, but it is more akin to distortion than reforming, as happens in the case of atomic rays (radiation). This is in addition to the fact that science of genetics disproves Darwin’s theory, as experience shows. The Jews, and the Muslims after them, have been circumcising their sons for centuries, but this has not led to any of their children being born circumcised. The more science advances, the more Darwin’s theory is proven wrong” (Ashqar 2005, 139).
Response:
Here again, he shows his misunderstanding of the theory of evolution when he says:
Those who speak of evolutionary leaps mean that an animal which did not have an eye suddenly had an eye, because of the action of some rays.
This is incorrect. According to the theory of evolution, the eye didn’t come into existence suddenly. At first, there were cells that sensed the organism’s environment, which then specialized in sensing light. After that, they multiplied and arched, followed by shrinking of the aperture through which light enters, and then the lens formed. This is how the modern eye evolved—through minute cumulative steps taking place over millions of years and many time periods.
As for Ashqar’s reference to circumcision, it shows that he understands nothing about the theory of evolution. What does circumcision or tradition have to do with the theory of evolution? Evolution occurs when an organism has a favored genetic trait, and circumcision is not a genetic trait. Rather, it is a surgical procedure that certain groups habitually perform. Customs and surgical procedures can’t be inherited. It is genetic traits that are inherited, and can therefore have a role in evolution.
By God, how strange that a person who understands nothing about the theory of evolution writes a book to refute it, and considers it a scientific response! There is no might or power except in God.
¹ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umar_Sulaiman_Al-Ashqar
The excerpt is taken from Atheism Delusion by Ahmed Alhasan احمد الحسن
Click here to read similar glaring delusions of men of religion.
