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Does Criticizing Intelligent Design (Id) Undermine Design Discourse in the Qurʾān? A Kalāmic Response
Zygon
  • Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Zayed University
  • Hamza Karamali, Basira Educ
  • Moamer Yahia Ali Khalayleh, Cardiff University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-28-2022
Abstract

Some Muslim thinkers argue against evolution using intelligent design (ID) arguments. One possible impetus for this line of reasoning is the several indications of design mentioned throughout the Quran. Therefore, criticizing ID could be seen as a direct attack on the Quranic outlook. However, this article will argue that this is a false equation. The Quranic design argument, as articulated in the tradition of Sunni scholastic theology (kalam), argues for the existence of a supernatural God by acknowledging natural causes that bring about designed phenomena in the universe. By contrast, Muslim thinkers who use ID to argue against evolution are arguing for the existence of a supernatural being through the supposed inability of science to explain designed phenomena through natural causes. Thus, there is a fundamental difference between the design outlook provided in the Quran versus the arguments of ID. Accordingly, this article argues that critiquing ID does not undermine the design discourse of the Quran.

Publisher
Wiley
Indexed in Scopus
No
Open Access
No
https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.12773
Citation Information
Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Hamza Karamali and Moamer Yahia Ali Khalayleh. "Does Criticizing Intelligent Design (Id) Undermine Design Discourse in the Qurʾān? A Kalāmic Response" Zygon (2022)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/shoaib-malik/11/