Islamic Concept of Evolution of Life on Earth

 

In Islamic theology, the concept of the evolution of life on earth is closely tied to the concept of sath, which refers to the different stages or periods of creation in Islamic cosmology. According to Islamic tradition, there were seven saths, or stages of creation, before the creation of humans and the universe as we know it.

In the first sath, Allah created the arsh, or throne, which is the symbol of His power and sovereignty. In the second sath, Allah created the qalam, or pen, which is believed to have written the fate of all things in the universe. In the third sath, Allah created the loh, or tablet, which contains the divine decree and knowledge. In the fourth sath, Allah created the bayt al-ma'mur, or the frequently visited house, which is believed to be a heavenly replica of the Kaaba on earth.

In the fifth sath, Allah created the angels and the jinn. The angels are believed to be purely spiritual beings who serve as messengers of Allah and carry out His commands. The jinn are also spiritual beings, but they have free will and can choose to do good or evil.

In the sixth sath, Allah created the heavens and the earth. This is where the concept of evolution comes into play. According to Islamic theology, the creation of the universe did not happen all at once, but rather through a gradual process of evolution over a period of six saths. In each sath, Allah created different forms of life, leading up to the creation of humans in the final sath.

The Qur'an describes this process of creation as a series of stages, with each stage building upon the previous one. For example, in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 30, it says: "Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?"

This verse is often interpreted as a reference to the process of evolution, where the universe began as a single entity and gradually evolved into the complex ecosystem we see today. The reference to water is also significant, as it is believed to be the source of all life on earth.

Overall, the Islamic concept of evolution is based on the idea that Allah created the universe through a gradual process of evolution, with each stage building upon the previous one. This concept is closely tied to the idea of sath, which refers to the different stages of creation in Islamic cosmology. While there may be differences in interpretation and understanding of this concept among different scholars and communities, it remains an important part of Islamic theology and understanding of the universe.