On the Question of Biological Origins​

In this interview Seyyed Hossein Nasr provides insights into two basic issues with regard to biological origins: the origin of life as such, and the special form of life that we call human life. In biological sciences, the dominant view is the evolutionary process which stipulates that life originated in small-cell form and then became complex through random processes in which only the fittest forms survived. Some theists have inserted God into this process to develop a form of evolution which is often called theistic evolution. And there are Muslims who also subscribe to theistic evolution by inserting the Hand of God into evolution. Dr. Nasr rejects theistic evolution for all forms of life.   

Keywords: Biological origins; Islamic perspectives on theory of evolution; Darwinism; life forms; Qurʾānic view of life; Islamic philosophy and evolution; biology; Muslims and Western science.

Journal of Islam & Science, Vol. 4 (Winter 2006) No. 2

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Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Seyyed Hossein Nasr is the University Professor of Islamic studies at The George Washington University, Washington DC and President of the Foundation for Traditional Studies.