Islam and Evolution
A Multidisciplinary University Accredited Undergraduate Course
About The Course
The question of Islam’s relationship to evolution is one of the most perplexing issues facing Muslims today. To address this concern, we have created multidisciplinary undergraduate course on Islam and Evolution. This course will deliver all the relevant dimensions of the discourse in detail. This includes the scientific, historical, theological and hermeneutical discussions which will be explored and delivered by leading authorities in their field of expertise.
Course Team
Dr Shoaib Ahmed Malik
(A scholar and Visiting Researcher at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham (UK))
Dr Ramon Harvey
(Lecturer of Islamic Studies, Ebrahim College- Muslim Seminary, London)
Mufti Muntasir Zaman
(Instructor at Qalam Institute, MA in Islamic Studies from the Markfield Institute of Higher Education in Leicester, England)
Dr. David Solomon Jalajel
(Researcher at Prince Sultan Research Institute, King Saud University)
Dr Carl Sharif El-Tobgui
(Associate Professor of Arabic & Islamic Studies and Director of the Arabic Language Program at Brandeis)
Shaykh Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi
(Resident scholar of the East Plano Islamic Center, Texas, USA)
AT A GLANCE
14 Live Online Sessions
Duration: 4+ Months
Saturdays, 5 PM - 7 PM CST
Video Recordings Available
Mobile App
Live Q&A
Certificate
Enrol Now
Starts on 8th January 2022
Course Fee:
Pay in Full: £49.99 £29.99
Pay in 4 installments: £12.49 £7.49
(Considering the prevalent situation due to COVID-19, we are providing 40% scholarship on this course)
Strict Deadline:
18th December 2021, 11:59 GMT
Al Balagh Scholarship
AlBalagh Scholarship is available for learners who cannot afford the fee.
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Course Team
Mufti Muntasir Zaman
(Instructor at Qalam Institute)
Dr Shoaib Ahmed Malik
(Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai)
Dr Carl Sharif El-Tobgui
(Associate Professor of Arabic & Islamic Studies and Director of the Arabic Language Program at Brandeis)
Dr. Ramon Harvey
(Lecturer of Islamic Studies at Ebrahim College – Muslim seminary, London)
Shaykh Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi
(Resident scholar of the East Plano Islamic Center, Texas, US)
Dr. David Solomon Jalajel
(Researcher at Prince Sultan Research Institute, King Saud University)
Explore Relevant Courses/Conferences
Conference on Islam and Western Ideologies
Decoding Liberalism, Feminism & Secularism
The Art of Dream Interpretation in Islam
Sessions
Session
1
Science Of Evolution
Session
2
History Of Evolution
Session
3
Christian Responses To Evolution
Session
4
Metaphysical Issues With Evolution
Session
5
Ash’arism And Evolution
Session
6
Maturidism And Evolution
Session
7
Atharism And Evolution
Session
8
Principles Of Interpreting The Quran
Session
9
Quran And Evolution
Session
10
Principles Of Interpreting The Hadith
Session
11
Hadiths And Evolution
Session
12
Muslim Perspectives On Evolution
Course Overview
The compatibility of Islam and evolution is one of the most pressing questions faced by Muslims today. Al Balagh Academy is offering Islam and evolution online course in collaboration with two other renowned institutions: Fatima Elizabeth Institute of Islam, Science and Philosophy (FEIISP) and The Islamic Seminary of America (TISA). We are intending to address this concern with the world’s first undergraduate program on Islam and evolution that tries to deliver all the relevant dimensions of the discourse in detail. These include the scientific, historical, theological, and hermeneutic discussions.
On completion of the course, certification will be provided by Al Balagh Academy. This course would not have been possible without the grant awarded to the four bodies by St. Andrews as part of its Science-Engaged Theology Initiatives and the combined effort of these institutions.
Course Objectives
⦁ Understand the theory of evolution scientifically and historically.
⦁ Acknowledge the theo-philosophical problems it raise.
⦁ Learn how to approach the discussion from the lens of the Sunni Schools (Ash’arism/Maturidism/Atharism).
⦁ Understand the hermeneutic (scriptural) nuances of the discussion.
⦁ Appreciate the different ways Muslim thinkers have tried to look at the problem.
Learning Outcomes
- Science of Evolution
- Understand the principles of Neo-Darwinian evolution.
- Acknowledge the evidence for Neo-Darwinian evolution.
- History of Evolution
- Recognise the context within which Darwinian evolution was developed.
- Learn the different kinds of reception of the theory.
- Understand how Neo-Darwinism was formulated.
- Learn about the modern debates over Neo-Darwinian evolution.
- Christian Responses to Evolution
- Review four prominent Christian movements that have responded to evolution:
- Young Earth Creationism(YEC)
- Old Earth Creationism (OEC)
- Intelligent Design (ID)
- Theistic Evolution (TE)
- Metaphysical Issues with Evolution
- Understand the theo-philosophical challenges that evolution raises:
- Naturalism
- Randomness
- Evil
- Morality
- Teleology
- Human Uniqueness
- A brief review of various schools of thought in Islam to setup for Week 5, 6 and 7
- Ash’arism and Evolution
- Learn to address the theo-philosophical challenges highlighted in Week 4 from an Ash’arite perspectiv
- Maturidism and Evolution
- Learn to address the theo-philosophical challenges highlighted in Week 4 from a Maturidite perspective
- Athari and Evolution
- Learn to address the theo-philosophical challenges highlighted in Week 4 from an Athari perspective
- Qur'an and Evolution
- Understand which verses have been discussed/are relevant in light of evolution
- Appreciate the hermeneutic tools involved when interpreting relevant verses
- Hadith and Evolution
- Understand which hadiths have been discussed/are relevant in light of evolution
- Appreciate the hermeneutic tools involved when interpreting relevant hadiths
- Muslim Perspectives on Evolution
- Evaluate claims about Muslims having believed in evolution in history
- Review of various positions developed by Muslim thinkers on evolution)
- Incompatibilists
- Compatibilists
- Partial Compatibilists
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?
Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.
How is this online course structured?
Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.
When will I have access to the online course material?
Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.
Will I get notification for live sessions?
All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.
Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?
We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.
I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?
If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.
Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?
You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.
Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?
There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.
I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?
You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.
When will the final exam be held?
The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a graded and timed exam.
How do I interact with my classmates?
You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.
How long will I have access to the online course?
You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].
I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?
In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.
How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?
Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit our here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.