Intelligent Design Theory in light of the Islamic ontological perception: A critical study

Abstract

This study aimed at examining the ‘Intelligent Design Theory’, which is one of the modern western theories offering an explanation of the origin of the universe. However, the study inspected the theory in the light of Islamic perception of creationism, in an attempt to identify the relation between Intelligent Design Theory and other Western theories on the creation of the universe, such as: Darwinism, Creationism, etc. The study used the descriptive documenting method and it reached a number of results, such as:

• The theory of intelligent design is a scientific theory, not a religious theory nor a myth. It is based on ideas and principles, which are consistent with the Islamic perception of universe origin. For example:
• The theory of Intelligent Design rejects the hypothesis that natural structures are the product of chance and natural selection, thus controverts Darwin's theory of living organisms’ biological evolution.
• The theory of Intelligent Design rejects the idea of man’s evolutionary descent from primates.
• Moreover, it proves that the universe, the human beings, and nature must have had an intelligent designer; a willed and self-aware entity that had some role in the origin and development of life.
• It was based on rational and physical evidence, and thus it is consistent with the Islamic perception that rationality and observation are the main tools of knowledge. This Islamic principle differs from the Christian theory of creationism, which maintains religion and science occupy two separate realms.
• Intelligent design theory avoids identifying or naming the intelligent designer and, thus, differs from the Islamic perception which recognizes that the creator of the universe is Allah Almighty and differs from the Christian faith that the creator of the universe is the Christian God. In fact, the Islamic perception of Allah Almighty rejects the idea of describing the Creator as ‘Intelligent Designer’.
• The theory of intelligent design is expected to have educational reflections and implications, especially on science curricula taught around the world, whether in schools or in universities, which used to teach the theory of Darwin, Biological Selection and Chance in creation.

The study recommended to make use of the many aspects in intelligent design theory, that were found to be in conformity with Islamic religious beliefs in order to rein in the tide of intellectual deviation and atheistic ideas which became more widely accessible due to globalization, modern technology and social media. Further, the study recommended teaching intelligent design theory to the students specializing in the disciplines of: education, comparative education, and philosophy of science.