Home » Hanafi Fiqh » Muftisays.com » What are Islamic beliefs on fossils, human size, life, and science denial?

What are Islamic beliefs on fossils, human size, life, and science denial?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Muftisays.com
Please could you tell me:

(i)What is the Islamic explanation for Dinosaur bones?

(ii)I’ve heard people say that humans were much bigger/taller in the past, is this true, as no skeletons have been found?

(iii)What would be the Islamic definition of life? Would we consider bacteria that lives and grows to be ‘alive'(as science does)?

(iiii)Does Islam dismiss Scientific evidence?

Answer
Assalamu Alaikum,

(i & ii) Dinosaur bones could be the bones of possible living creatures in the time of very early prophets (Alaihimus Salam). As the height and size of previous nations reached heights of approximately 90 feet, dinosaurs (as refered to by science) were most probably regular sized animals in comparison to the size of the humans then.

Skeletons are probably not found because of the following scientific perspective of decomposition of the body.

The rate of decomposition relies solely on the activity of microorganisms and soil structure. In the case of single or shallow graves (Like nowadays), the process of decomposition is usually more rapid, while in mass graves, where bodies are usually packed very tightly and there is little oxygen to promote growth of organisms and decomposition, the bodies may stay well preserved.

This could be the reason why some [i:19c0bba182]dinosaur[/i:19c0bba182] bones still remain.

Some ‘Ulamaa state that dinosaur bones could be the remains of some animals who drowned in the time of Nooh (Alaihis Salaam). As bones are discovered, they are not in the original places and all structures of dinosaurs are rough estimates of those who discover it and name it. This opinion logically makes sense too.

keep in mind that this is not Fiqh related. These are merely opinions of the ‘Ulamaa who have shed some light on the issue. And Allah (swt) knows best.

(iii & iv) A living thing can be from tiny sea particle to creations the human eye can not see. Allah (swt) has created everything for a reason. Islam does not deny scientific evidence unless it opposes Islamic principles. The Qur’aan also demonstrates a deep intellect in science.

Bacteria could be considered alive as there is nothing unislamic about that. It is still a creation of Allah (swt). However, the life of germs and the life of creatures differ in many ways.

And Allah knows best

————————————–
Maulana Muhammad

Original Source Link

This answer was collected from MuftiSays.com, based in London (UK). It is one of the fruits of Darul Uloom London. Many ‘ulama are involved in answering the Q&A on the site, including: Shaikul Hadeeth Mufti Umar Farooq Sahib, Mufti Saifur Rahman Sahib, Mufti Abdullah Patel Sahib, Maulana Qamruz Zaman Sahib, Mufti Abu Bakr Karolia Sahib.

Read answers with similar topics: