A Comparative Study of the Qur’ānic and Scientific Viewpoints on the Origin of Life

The question of the origin of life on Earth is one of the fundamental but controversial subjects hotly disputed among the scientists and the religious circles. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine the qur’ānic and experimental scientific perspectives on the issue of the origin of life on Earth. In this paper, after examining the literal meanings and the technical usages of relevant terms, the relationship between the Qur’ān and experimental science is examined. The qur’ānic verses (including the Qur’ān ۲۱:۳۰ and ۲۴:۴۵) and the interpretations of the Muslim qur’ānic exegetes have been discussed. Thereafter, some prominent scientific theories/hypotheses such as the special creation, aquatic origin, spontaneous generation, eternity of life, evolution, and RNA and DNA worlds are discussed and critically reviewed. The descriptive-analytical research method was used in this study, is and the findings showed that the Qur’ān discusses the origin of life on the Earth mysteriously and it does not offer a single, unified theory regarding it. Likewise, the majority of the theories/hypotheses proposed by the ancient and contemporary scientists on the origin of life on Earth are not in conformity with the qur’ānic report.

Keywords:

Origin of Life , Life on Earth , Scientific interpretation , Qur’ān , Science