Q: What is the status of someone, who in an attempt to reconcile the theory of evolution with the Islamic narrative of human origins, states that homo sapiens (modern humans) descended from other hominid species (all the while believing that all of this happened by Allah's Will and Power). Thereafter, these homo sapiens went extinct (died off) and Allah created Adam (Alayhis Salaam) - a special, direct, and miraculous creation - and we are all descendants of Adam (Alayhis Salaam). Is this belief kufr? Is this person a kafir (disbeliever)?
A: These are all corrupt views. There is no need for us to be overwhelmed by science nor is it correct to be suffering from any type of inferiority. Scientific theory is just a hypothesis. It is not yet categorically proven. So there is no need for anybody to move away from the Quraanic teaching of man being the descendant of Aadam (alayhis salaam).
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
Q: Is the person who holds this belief still a Muslim? Are their prayers that he offers valid?
A: There is no need for such a reconciliation. All we know is that Allah Ta`ala had created Aadam (alaihis salaam) from the earth. So just keep your faith till that point. There is no need to go beyond that. If there was a need to understand beyond that Allah would have enlightened us.
More than worrying about his prayers being valid, he needs to rectify himself.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by: