Science and Religion Studies

Science and Religion Studies

A comparative comparison of religious narratives and scientific perspectives on the origin of man: from creation to life.

Document Type : .

Authors
yaser bakhshiyan 1
zeinab dehghan 2
shirin lotfipanah 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran. P.O. Box 889 - 14665
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran5.
10.30465/srs.2026.53424.2256
Abstract
Abstract: The inquiry into human origins represents a fundamental intersection of empirical biology, transcendental philosophy, and revealed theology. This study examines the perceived dichotomy between the teleological narratives of Abrahamic traditions—specifically within the framework of Islamic philosophy and mysticism and the non-teleological mechanisms of evolutionary biology. By employing a comparative-interdisciplinary methodology, the research analyzes how religious concepts of purposeful creation and Khilafah (vicegerency) can be dialogically positioned alongside Darwinian concepts of natural selection and genetic mutation. The findings suggest that while methodological boundaries differ, there is a significant conceptual space for integrative models such as theistic evolution. The study concludes that a multidimensional anthropology, which respects both biological how and metaphysical why, provides a more robust understanding of the human phenomenon than any reductionist approach.

Keywords: Creationism; Evolutionary Biology; Islamic Philosophy; Transcendent Wisdom; Intelligent Design; Epistemological Integration.
Introduction: The question of human provenance is not merely a biological puzzle but an ontological inquiry into the nature of being. Historically, the narrative of human origins was the exclusive domain of religion and philosophy, framing humanity as a special creation with an inherent spiritual essence. In Islamic thought, particularly in the works of Ibn Arabi and Mulla Sadra, the human being is viewed as the Microcosm (al-Kawn al-Jami), representing the pinnacle of a hierarchical existential ascent. However, the advent of the Darwinian revolution in the 19th century introduced a paradigm shift, replacing teleological intentionality with blind physical processes. This has led to a persistent intellectual tension: can the biological continuity of the human species be reconciled with the theological claim of human exceptionalism? This study moves beyond the conflict thesis to investigate how different epistemological frameworks address the multidimensionality of human existence, seeking a synthesis that honors both empirical rigor and spiritual depth.
Materials and Methods: This research utilizes a qualitative, analytical-comparative framework. The primary theological and philosophical dataset is derived from the Quranic corpus and the school of Transcendent Wisdom (al-Hikmah al-Mutaaliyah), focusing on the concept of gradual existential perfection. On the scientific side, the study draws from contemporary evolutionary synthesis and the philosophy of science. The methodological approach involves three stages: 1. Conceptual Mapping: Defining Creation and Evolution to avoid semantic equivocation.2. Methodological Demarcation: Distinguishing between empirical proximate causes and metaphysical ultimate causes.3. Integrative Analysis: Evaluating the coherence of Guided Evolution and Intelligent Design as bridging frameworks.
Discussion and Results: The analysis reveals several critical points of convergence and divergence:
1. Process and Gradualism: A significant finding is that both perspectives reject instantaneous appearance. Traditional Islamic philosophy, especially through Mulla Sadra’s Substantial Motion (al-harakah al-jawhariyyah), posits that the soul emerges through the gradual intensification of matter. This provides a sophisticated metaphysical parallel to biological gradualism, suggesting that evolution could be viewed as the material substrate of a spiritual process.
2. The Question of Teleology: This remains the primary point of divergence. Evolutionary biology, by definition, excludes final causes (telos). However, the study argues that this is a methodological restriction rather than an ontological negation. Theistic Evolution serves as a viable result here, proposing that natural selection is the mechanism through which divine providence operates within the spatiotemporal realm.

3. Human Dignity and the Soul: While biology identifies the Homo sapiens as a primate, religious narratives define the Insan through the Divine Breath. The results suggest that these are not contradictory but occupy different levels of reality. The biological account explains the origin of the container (the body), while the religious account explains the origin of the content (the self-conscious spirit).
Conclusion: The study concludes that the conflict between creation and evolution is often a product of category errors-treating scientific descriptions as totalizing metaphysical statements, or treating religious metaphors as literal biological manuals. By adopting an Epistemological Pluralism, we can acknowledge that evolutionary biology provides a comprehensive account of the human's physical lineage, while religion and philosophy provide the necessary framework for understanding human value, morality, and ultimate destiny. A holistic anthropology must therefore be interdisciplinary, viewing evolution not as the replacement of creation, but as the magnificent process through which the creative act unfolds over cosmic time.
Keywords
Creation
Evolution
Islamic Philosophy
Mysticism
Comparative Theology
Subjects
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Science and Religion Studies
Volume 16, Issue 2
February 2026