Question:
There are those who say that, a long time ago, man was an ape and then evolved. Is this true, and is there any evidence for it?
Answer:
This claim is not correct. The evidence for this is that Allah clarified in the Quran the stages of the creation of Adam. Allah the Exalted says: “Verily, the likeness of ‘Isâ (Jesus) before Allâh is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust…“ [Aal ‘Imran 3:59]. Then, this dust was moistened until it became sticky clay that clings to the hands. Allah the Exalted says: “And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).” [Al-Mu’minun 23:12] and He says: “Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.” (As-Saffat, 37:11) then it became altered black mud. Allah the Exalted says: “And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.” (Al-Hijr, 15:26). Then, when it dried, it became clay like [that of] pottery, Allah, the Exalted, says: “He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.” (Ar-Rahman, 55:14). Allah then fashioned him into the form He willed and breathed into him from His spirit. Allah the Exalted says: “And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am going to create a man (Adam) from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud.’ So, when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) the soul which I created for him, then fall (you) down prostrating yourselves unto him.” (al-Hijr 15:28-29). These are the stages through which the creation of Adam passed according to the Quran.
As for the stages through which the creation of Adam’s progeny passes, Allah the Exalted says: “And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allâh, the Best of creators.” (Al-Mu’minun, 23:12-14).
As for Adam’s wife (Eve), Allah the Exalted clarified that He created her from him, saying: “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwâ’ (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women.” (An-Nisa, 4:1).