As Salamu Alaikum.
Respected Mufti Sab
Is Yasir Qadhi’s view of evolution valid according to scholars?
And do you advise a person of hanafi fiqh to listen to his lectures?
Jazak Allah khaira
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The Quran clearly negates the notion that Adam Alayhis Salam was the result of gradual evolution. The belief of such evolution directly contradicts the verses in the Quran stating that Allah Ta’ala himself created Adam Alayhis Salam as the first human being. Allah Ta’ala says:
فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِنْ رُوحِي فَقَعُوا لَهُ سَاجِدِينَ (72)… قَالَ يَاإِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْعَالِينَ (75)
Translation: “So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.” (72) … [ Allah] said, “O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?“
However, the Quran does not mention the same with regards to other creation besides humans. It only affirms the creation for humans, not any other creation. Thus, some people differentiate between humans and other creations in the concept of evolution. The Quran and Hadith do not discuss the evolution of other creations. Our approach in such issues is:
أَبْهِمُوا مَا أَبْهَمَ اللَّهُ [1]
Translation: “Keep ambiguous that which Allah has kept ambiguous”
We cannot also rely on scientific research due to the often contradictory positions adopted in Science.
As far as your second question is concerned, it is not appropriate for us to comment on a specific person without having detailed information about a person, his environment and circumstances. We advise people to refer to their local Ulama and Mashaikh and seek their guidance.
Hereunder are some general guidelines one should use to determine who one should follow:
1. The person has studied under a reputable scholar and has a certificate of attestation with permission to impart knowledge, as is the general norm for graduates.
2. The Aqidah of the person is sound. He is from the Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah
3. The person adheres to one of the four madhhabs of Fiqh, namely the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali madhhabs.
4. The teachings and statements of the person are not contrary to the generally accepted rulings of the Madhahib (schools of thought).
5. The person is not engaged in acts of Bid’ah (innovation) and does not promote Bid’ah.
6. The person does not openly violate the laws of Shari’ah, for example, intermingling with the opposite gender, non-observance of hijab etc.
7. The person is recognised and accepted by other Ulama-e-Haq who are known for their adherence of Shariah and Taqwa.
If any of the above guidelines are violated, then one should not follow such a person.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Hammad Ibn Ismail Jogiat
Student Darul Iftaa
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
معرفة السنن والآثار (10/ 98) [1]
أَبْهِمُوا مَا أَبْهَمَ اللَّهُ