No Evolution, No Change

The Standing Law of Recompense

30:30

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٣٠

So be steadfast in faith in all uprightness ˹O Prophet˺—the natural Way of Allah which He has instilled in ˹all˺ people. Let there be no change in this creation of Allah. That is the Straight Way, but most people do not know.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

So direct your face [i.e., self] toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fiṭrah[1] of Allāh upon which He has created [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allāh.[2] That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

— Saheeh International

[1]i.e., let people remain true to their fiṭrah within the religion of Islām.

[2]The natural inborn inclination of man to worship his Creator prior to the corruption of his nature by external influences.  Thus, Islāmic monotheism is described as the religion of fiṭrah - that of the inherent nature of mankind.

So, set your face to the Faith uprightly, this (faith) being the nature designed by Allah on which He has created the mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. That is the straight faith, but most of the people do not know.

— T. Usmani

So [Prophet] as a man of pure faith, stand firm and true in your devotion to the religion. This is the natural disposition God instilled in mankind- there is no altering God’s creation- and this is the right religion, though most people do not realize it.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not -

— M. Pickthall

So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.

— A. Yusuf Ali

So set you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) your face towards the religion (of pure Islâmic Monotheism) Hanîf (worship none but Allâh Alone). Allâh’s Fitrah (i.e. Allâh’s Islâmic Monotheism) with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq-illâh (i.e. the religion of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism): that is the straight religion, but most of men know not.[1] [Tafsir At-Tabarî]

— Al-Hilali & Khan

[1](V.30) See the footnote of (Verse 10:19): (V.19) Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Every child is born on Al-Fitrah [true faith of Islâmic Monotheism (i.e. to worship none but Allâh Alone)], but his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal gives birth to a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?" (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.2, Hadith No.467). [See also the Qur’ân, Verse V.30:30]

The true, correct religion (the standing law of recompense) clearly declares that: 

... لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ...

... No change in the creation of Allah ...

[Al-Quran 30:30]

Modern science holds evolution of species as an article of faith. 

Islamic monotheism, the Religion of Abraham, must hold 'No change in the creation of Allah' as an article of faith. 

So it follows that:

1. all creatures, all species, were created as is by Allah 
2. we do not have the liberty to make changes in any of Allah's creation 
3. we should especially not make changes in humans, as that will lead to a corruption that we may not be able to reverse 
4. changing creation is against the standing law, and will be recompensed accordingly 
5. Adam's attempt to change himself resulted in his devolution
6. we humans are presently in a devolved state 
7. directing our face towards Allah's Deen, the Truth, will have a restorative outcome 
8. just like Allah separated the skies from the earth, He also separated humans from other creatures, making humans in His Image (Fitrat-Allah)
9. humans were created to rule over other creatures, as Allah's vice-regent (khalifa) 
10. as responsible agents, endowed with freewill, we are accountable for our actions, and will be compensated accordingly   
11. most humans are not even aware of this fact 

When Adam disobeyed Allah, he (Adam) put his soul (nafs) in a state of darkness, and suffered bodily harm, slipping out of what he was in, as well as being stripped of his superior natural clothing. Further misadventures by our ancestors have also added to more weakness and diseases to the humans, and corruption of the earth. Though Allah forgives and restores, undoing much of our corruption, we do suffer from some of the individual and collective consequences of others' mistakes, in this world. Thus are made evident, and explained in detail, the signs in the horizons, and within our soul (nafs). With grateful patience, we need to endure what we must suffer, while believing and doing good (acts of reform), sincerely adhering to Allah's Deen. 

Allah wills that each human willingly adheres to Allah's Deen, worshipping Him with a grateful heart, delighted to be honoured with the lofty job of worshipping Allah, in complete submission to Allah, i.e. being in a state of Islam. Allah's revelations guide to how to enter into Islam completely.   

On the Day of Deen, when each soul (nafs) will be recompensed according to what it has earned in this life, each individual will enjoy or suffer the consequence of its deeds that it sent forth for its afterlife. Every soul (nafs) is in pledge for what it earns. Those who direct their face towards the Deen-e-Hanif, inclining to the truth, will be reformed and restored to the perfect initial state and will inherit the Paradise that was lost. Those who look the other way, and choose falsehood instead of the truth, will suffer further devolution, completely losing their soul (nafs), and their family, to consciously suffer in the fires of hell, continuously.  

On the Day of Deen, Allah, the Fatir of the skies and earth, will separate the people of the gardens of eternity from the people of the fires of eternity permanently. The doors in the sky will be opened, and the people of the gardens of eternity will be allowed to enter through them, ascending to their gardens. The doors will not be opened for the people of the fires of eternity, nor will they be granted permission to ascend. We need to believe and put our trust in Allah, who has separated us, even in this world: 

Q36:22-27

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ، طُولُهُ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا، فَلَمَّا خَلَقَهُ قَالَ اذْهَبْ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَى أُولَئِكَ النَّفَرِ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ جُلُوسٌ، فَاسْتَمِعْ مَا يُحَيُّونَكَ، فَإِنَّهَا تَحِيَّتُكَ وَتَحِيَّةُ ذُرِّيَّتِكَ‏.‏ فَقَالَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ‏.‏ فَقَالُوا السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ‏.‏ فَزَادُوهُ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ، فَكُلُّ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى صُورَةِ آدَمَ، فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْخَلْقُ يَنْقُصُ بَعْدُ حَتَّى الآنَ ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah created Adam in His picture, sixty cubits (about 30 meters) in height. When He created him, He said (to him), "Go and greet that group of angels sitting there, and listen what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring." Adam (went and) said, 'As-Salamu alaikum (Peace be upon you).' They replied, 'AsSalamu-'Alaika wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah's Mercy be on you) So they increased 'Wa Rahmatullah' The Prophet (ﷺ) added 'So whoever will enter Paradise, will be of the shape and picture of Adam Since then the creation of Adam's (offspring) (i.e. stature of human beings is being diminished continuously) to the present time."

Sahih al-Bukhari 6227

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:6227

Related Posts: 

Secular Science vs Creation Faith 

The Creation & Emergence of Species 

Snails, Slugs & The Devolution of Adam 

Humans & The Human Condition 

Wronging the Nafs 

...

Last updated on: October 18, 2024

...

Evolution or Metamorphosis

Abstract 

The transformation of Adam and his progeny.   

Full Text 

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن سُلَالَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ

ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

ثُمَّ إِنَّكُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ

ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ

We have created the human being from an extract of clay

which was then turned into a living germ and placed in safe depository.

The living germ, then, was turned into a shapeless lump of flesh from which bones were formed. The bones, then, were covered with flesh. At this stage, We caused it to become another creature. All blessings belong to God, the best Creator.

Thereafter you will certainly die

and you will be brought back to life again on the Day of Resurrection.

[Al-Quran23:12-16, Translation: Muhammad Sarwar]

Blessings 

The words formed with ṣād lām wāw (ص ل و) are generally translated as prayer. However, when يُصَلِّي is used for Allah, it is also translated as 'sends His blessings'. The words formed with bā rā kāf (ب ر ك) are generally translated as blessed, as can be seen at this link at corpus.quran.com:     

The triliteral root bā rā kāf (ب ر ك) occurs 32 times in the Quran, in five derived forms:
eight times as the form III verb bāraka (بَٰرَكَ)
nine times as the form VI verb tabāraka (تَبَارَكَ)
three times as the noun barakāt (بَرَكَٰت)
four times as the nominal mubārakat (مُّبَٰرَكَة)
eight times as the form III passive participle mubārak (مُبَارَك) 

One of the meanings this particular root conveys is blessings which continue and increase, that is, to go from a present state into a better state. In the case of living organisms, this could mean evolution or metamorphosis: 

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As can be seen in the translation of Q23:14, quoted above, the human النُّطْفَةَ passes through many stages and evolves into a human baby! Similarly, all other living creatures go through various stages of development, evolving from a seed or egg into something that resembles the parent. This process is even more markedly visible in creatures that undergo metamorphosis in their development from a 'child' into an 'adult'. The following is a delightful short documentary:    

Something Different 

Contrary to the theory of evolution, as generally understood by scientists, we learn from the scriptures that God, the best of creators, created all living things, and they emerge on this Earth as and when they are supposed to. However, seeing the stages of development and change that these creatures undergo on this planet, its easy to believe that upon resurrection, our bodies will transform into something different:

نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ

عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone

In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.

And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?

   [Al-Quran 56:60-62, Translation: Sahih International]

Transformation  

The scriptures inform us that we were created excellently, but have been reduced to a much lower form. As the story goes, Adam was dwelling in comfort and luxury in The Garden, but Satan was able to tempt him with false promises of immortality and/or becoming an angel. However, Satan was only trying to bring harm to Adam and his wife... and so, in pursuit of desire, instead of metamorphosing into an angel, they lost their natural clothing! Moulting, the shedding of skin, is a process that snakes and some other creatures undergo periodically. Grasshoppers which turn into locusts are a clear case of genetic transformation:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/a-brain-chemical-changes-locusts-from-harmless-grasshoppers-to-swarming-pests

Locusts belong to the grasshopper family but unlike their harmless relatives they have the unusual ability to live in either a solitary or a gregarious state, with the genetic instructions for both packaged within a single genome.

The progeny of Adam is also similarly challenged, facing the temptations and false promises of Satan, who is the sworn enemy, bent on taking along as many as he can to an eternal Hell. As mentioned in Wronging the Nafs,  we now also have fossil and genetic evidence pointing towards the transformation of some humans into apes and pigs, as claimed by The Quran.

While the criminals are expected to suffer a worse state, as a consequence of their faith and deeds, in the Hereafter, as discussed in Blue-Eyed Criminals and The Cursed Tree; there is great hope for a wonderful future for the people whose repentance is accepted by Allah. 

The Quran describes the beautiful clothes that the dwellers of The Gardens will be adorned in. It is interesting to note that the description varies according to the level of piety achieved in this life, and the consequent grade of dignity in the Hereafter. Two of the following five descriptions mention green silk: 

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ مَنْ أَحْسَنَ عَمَلًا

أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلْبَسُونَ ثِيَابًا خُضْرًا مِّن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى الْأَرَائِكِ نِعْمَ الثَّوَابُ وَحَسُنَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا

As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed. 

For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade: They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good t he recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!

[Al-Quran 18:30-31, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ

وَهُدُوا إِلَى الطَّيِّبِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ وَهُدُوا إِلَىٰ صِرَاطِ الْحَمِيدِ

God will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow: they shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk. 

For they have been guided (in this life) to the purest of speeches; they have been guided to the Path of Him Who is Worthy of (all) Praise.

[Al-Quran 22:23-24, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 

ثُمَّ أَوْرَثْنَا الْكِتَابَ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَيْنَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا فَمِنْهُمْ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِ وَمِنْهُم مُّقْتَصِدٌ وَمِنْهُمْ سَابِقٌ بِالْخَيْرَاتِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَضْلُ الْكَبِيرُ

جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا يُحَلَّوْنَ فِيهَا مِنْ أَسَاوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِيهَا حَرِيرٌ

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ

الَّذِي أَحَلَّنَا دَارَ الْمُقَامَةِ مِن فَضْلِهِ لَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا يَمَسُّنَا فِيهَا لُغُوبٌ

Then We have given the Book for inheritance to such of Our Servants as We have chosen: but there are among them some who wrong their own souls; some who follow a middle course; and some who are, by God's leave, foremost in good deeds; that is the highest Grace. 

Gardens of Eternity will they enter: therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk.

And they will say: "Praise be to God, Who has removed from us (all) sorrow: for our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving Ready to appreciate (service):

"Who has, out of His Bounty, settled us in a Home that will last: no toil nor sense of weariness shall touch us therein." 

[Al-Quran 35:32-35, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ

فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ

يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُّتَقَابِلِينَ

As to the Righteous (they will be) in a position of Security,

Among Gardens and Springs;

Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other; 

[Al-Quran 44:51-53, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 

وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَيْتَ نَعِيمًا وَمُلْكًا كَبِيرًا

عَالِيَهُمْ ثِيَابُ سُندُسٍ خُضْرٌ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌ وَحُلُّوا أَسَاوِرَ مِن فِضَّةٍ وَسَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًا طَهُورًا

إِنَّ هَٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَاءً وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا

And when thou lookest, it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent. 

Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy. 

"Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavour is accepted and recognised."

[Al-Quran 76:20-22, Translation: Yusuf Ali] 

Repent & Return 
Allah has blessed us with guidance in the scriptures, to help us through the tests of this life, repent and return. May Allah accept our repentance, correct and purify us, and make us grow into a beautiful form. 

A Prayer 
With Allah's help, we can make it through:  

ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ

وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ

 

Repel, by [means of] what is best, [their] evil. We are most knowing of what they describe.

And say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils,

And I seek refuge in You, my Lord , lest they be present with me."

[Al-Quran 23:96-98, Translation: Sahih International]

References & Links 

Related posts in this blog: 

Natural Clothing 

The First Humans
Alternate Biochemistry

Insights into the Creation of Humans

The Creation & Emergence of Species 

Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation
Wronging the Nafs
Blue-Eyed Criminals
The Cursed Tree

Mission of the Messengers series & related posts' list     

Last updated on: March 26, 2020

The Right Religion (Deen)

No change should there be in the creation of Allah [Quran 30:30] 

Mission of the Messengers - XIII  

Abstract

Islam is based on the last revealed scripture, The Quran, revealed through Muhammad fourteen centuries ago.  It uses the phrase The Right Religion in some places. One of the decrees of The Right Religion is that there should be no change in the creation of Allah. The Believers need to realise the direct relevance of the scripture to our times and its pertinent reasoning. 

Transhumanism aims to transform the human being. It seeks to tinker with the very core of what makes us human. It is beautifully packaged in the rhetoric of progress and the promise of transcending the existential challenges facing mankind.  

This study is an attempt at understanding the phrase The Right Religion [الدِّينُالْقَيِّمُ] in its usage across the Quran, in the context of the Creator God’s absolute right to decree and command; and through His guidance, understand the reason why there should be no change in Allah’s creation, especially in human nature.

Full Text

بَلِ اتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَهْوَاءَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ

فَمَن يَهْدِي مَنْ أَضَلَّ اللَّهُ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا
فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا

لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ

ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ

وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

[Al-Quran 30:29 - 30] Nay, follow those who do wrong, their desires, without knowledge. Then who (can) guide (one) whom Allah has let go astray? And not for them any helpers. So direct your face toward the religion (law), inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah (separation) of Allah upon which He has created separated [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion (law), but most of the people do not know. (translation edited for clarity; in italics)

Al-Quran 30:30 is the basis of the series of posts subtitled Mission of the Messengers. A key phrase is  [الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ] ‘The Right Religion’. What does Biotechnology, especially Biomedical Engineering have to do with Religion, when Religion is Ancient and Technology and Engineering modern scientific advancements of our age? Or is it so? 

Transhumanism (abbreviated as H+ or h+) is an international and intellectual movement that aims to transform the human condition by developing and making widely available sophisticated technologies to greatly enhance human intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities.

Why should Believers resist improvements in their condition when twenty-first century technologies hold promises of greatly enhanced capacities? The Quran is a Book about humans and the temporal human condition. It informs us of past events we have long forgotten, to help us prepare for an eternal future. The following ayaat remind us of what we were, and what we’ve lost, and more importantly, what we can aspire for!

Allah creates good everything that He creates:

[Al-Quran 32:7] The One Who made good every thing He created, and He began (the) creation (of) man from clay.

It is important to bear in mind that we have been created from materials from the earth, so as to remember the law is forbidding changes in the body. The text is forbidding changes in our physical self!!!  

Allah has not only created, He has also separated His creation, mentioned by the term fatir in a number of ayaat across The Quran. An entire surah is titled Surah Fatir. Its the thirty fifth surah. The first ayat mentions the fact. The surah goes on to mention that Allah is maintaining His creation in harmony:

[Al-Quran 35:41] Indeed, Allah upholds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, not can uphold them any one after Him. Indeed, He is Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.

If Allah were to permit corruption, the entire creation would eventually sync out of balance. Upsetting the balance is a crime:  

[Al-Quran  55:7 – 55:9] And the heaven, He raised it and He has set up the balance, That not you may transgress in the balance. And establish the weight in justice and (do) not make deficient the balance. 

Yet, in this temporal test, there is no compulsion in religion (الدِّينِ):

[Al-Quran 2:256] (There is) no compulsion in the religion. Surely has become distinct the right (path) from the wrong. Then whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, then surely he grasped the handhold - [the] firm, (which) not (will) break [for it]. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

Changing Allah’s creation is an audacious and futile effort, as nobody can improve upon His creation. The result of such efforts is corruption of creation: 
[Al-Quran 30:41] Has appeared the corruption in the land and the sea for what have earned (the) hands (of) people, so that He may let them taste a part (of) that which they have done so that they may return.

Humans have been granted the free-will to choose what they will. Human activity has indeed adversly impacted the planet, upsetting the Balance and throwing many species into extinction. Humans continue to pose a grave threat to Earth. When the crimes of humans exceed a certain limit, divine intervention becomes necessary to contain/wipe out the corruption, restore the Balance, and save the Believers from extinction: 

[Al-Quran 30:47]  And verily, We sent before you Messengers to their people, and they came to them with clear proofs; then We took retribution from those who committed crimes. And it was incumbent upon Us (to) help the believers.

On the promised Day, the criminals will be punished, and the Believers rewarded for their deeds:

[Al-Quran 30:43 - 44] So set your face to the religion right, before [that] comes a Day not (can be) averted [it] from Allah. That Day, they will be divided. Whoever disbelieves, then against him (is) his disbelief. And whoever does righteousness, then for themselves they are preparing,

       

The phrase  الدِّينُالْقَيِّمُ  comprises of two words: الدِّينُ and الْقَيِّمُ . Looking up its usage across the Quran, both together and independently, it helps to realize and understand what the phrase really means: 

Qayim [الْقَيِّمُ]

Qayyim means correct, right, straight, and shares the same root with mustaqqim: [the straight path we pray for daily اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ]

Adjective

(6:161:9) qiyaman

right

قُلْ إِنَّنِي هَدَانِي رَبِّي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا

Adjective

(9:36:21) l-qayimu	the upright	ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ
(12:40:27) l-qayimu	the right	أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ
(18:2:1) qayyiman	Straight	قَيِّمًا لِيُنْذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِنْ لَدُنْهُ
(30:30:17) l-qayimu	the correct	ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
(30:43:4) l-qayimi	right	فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ الْقَيِّمِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ يَوْمٌ لَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ  مِنَ اللَّهِ

Nominal

(1) Noun

(98:5:16) l-qayimati

the correct

وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ

(2) Adjective

(98:3:3) qayyimatun

correct

فِيهَا كُتُبٌ قَيِّمَةٌ

(2) Adjective

(1:6:3) l-mus'taqīma	the straight	اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Deen [الدِّينُ]

Al-Quran 4:117 – 4:121 inform us that the rebellious Satan, when cursed by God, swore to take a portion of humans and said that:

‘… And I will mislead them, and I will arouse in them [sinful] desires, and I will command them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will change the creation of Allah." And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of Allah has certainly sustained a clear loss. …’

Al-Quran 20:118 informs us that there was enough in the Garden for Adam and his wife to neither go naked nor hungry. In Adam’s Attempt to Improve upon Allah’s Creation, I have discussed the genetic loss of natural clothing that Adam and his wife suffered in their pursuit of Immortality. It’s a loss we all witness constantly on our own bodies (our bare skin) throughout our lives. Our clothing is a sign from Allah!   

Surah at-Teen reasons that since humans have gone from being an excellent creation to a much lower form, then how can anyone belie the Deen:   

[Al-Quran 95:1-8, Translator: Safi Kaskas] By the fig and the olive and [by] Mount Sinai and [by] this secure city [Mecca], We have certainly created the human being in the best of stature; Then We return him to the lowest of the low, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have an uninterrupted reward. So, do you still deny this faith? Isn't God the most Just of Judges? 

[Al-Quran 95:1-8, Translator: Muhammad Asad] CONSIDER the fig and the olive, and Mount Sinai, and this land secure! Verily, We create man in the best conformation; and thereafter We reduce him to the lowest of low excepting only such as attain to faith and do good works: and theirs shall be a reward unending! What, then, [O man,] could henceforth cause thee to give the lie to this moral law?* Is not God the most just of judges?  

* The word [دِّينِ], in its various forms, is translated as judgment, return, acknowledgement, contract, debt, recompense and religion.  In Surah Yusuf, ayat 76, it is used for the law of the King [دِينِ الْمَلِكِ]. While most translators translate (بِالدِّينِ) as judgement in Q95:7, Safi Kaskas translates it as faith, and Asad translates it as moral law.

The Quran starts with a prayer that is recited multiple times in the daily obligatory prayers. It includes the declaration that Allah is [مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ] meaning Lord of Day of The Religion or Moral Law, and is generally understood to mean the Day of Judgment or Requital.  

Surah al-Fateha

[Al-Quran 1:4]

Transliteration          Maliki yawmi alddeeni

T.B.Irving                   Ruler on the Day for Repayment!  

Safi Kaskas                Master of the Day of Judgment.     

A M Daryabadi          Sovereign of the Day of Requital.  

Ahmed Ali                 King of the Day of Judgement.       

The following three ayaat inform us that the True Religion must and will eventually prevail over all religions:

Surah at-Taubah

[Al-Quran 9:33] He (is) the One Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion (of) [the] truth, to manifest it over all religions. Even if dislike (it) the polytheists.

Surah al-Fath

[Al-Quran 48:28] He (is) the One Who (has) sent His Messenger with guidance and (the) religion, the true that He (may) make it prevail over the religions all. And sufficient is Allah (as) a Witness.

Surah as-Saff

[Al-Quran 61:9] He (is) the One Who sent His Messenger with guidance and (the) religion (of) the truth, to make it prevail over the religion all of them, although dislike (it) the polytheists.

           

What is The Right Religion? [الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ]  

9:36 Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves Nafs during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].(translation edited for clarity; in italics)

12:40 You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

30:30 So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. [Adhere to] the fitrah (separation) of Allah upon which He has created separated [all] people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. (translation edited for clarity; in italics)

The phrase [الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ] has also been used in the Quran in the following ayaat:

30:43 So direct your face toward the correct religion before a Day comes from Allah of which there is no repelling. That Day, they will be divided.

98:5 And they were not commanded except to worship Allah , [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.

Notice that Q30:30 and Q30:43 both ayaat are from Surah Ar-Rum. The ayaat in between them, Q30:31-39, list the requirements of the correct religion beginning with establishing prayer, strict monotheism, non-sectarianism, sincerity in worship, belief in qadr, spending in charity and refraining from usury; Q30:40 reminds us that Allah alone grants life and death and will resurrect, and then Q30:41-43 mentions the present, past and future consequences of not adhering to the Right Religion!     

Surah al-An’am

[Al Quran 6:161] Say, "Indeed (as for) me, has guided me my Lord to a straight path - a religion right, religion (of) Ibrahim - a true monotheist. And not he was from the polytheists.

Earlier in the Surah, after discussing polytheistics superstitions and prohibitions, and clarifying the matter, the straight path is listed as: 

[Al-Quran 6:150-155, Translator: Yusuf Ali] Say: "Bring forward your witnesses to prove that God did forbid so and so." If they bring such witnesses, be not thou amongst them: Nor follow thou the vain desires of such as treat our signs as falsehoods, and such as believe not in the Hereafter: for they hold others as equal with their Guardian-Lord. Say: "Come, I will rehearse what God hath (really) prohibited you from": Join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want;- We provide sustenance for you and for them;- come not nigh to shameful deeds. Whether open or secret; take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom. And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of God: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember. Verily, this is My way, leading straight: follow it: follow not (other) paths: they will scatter you about from His (great) path: thus doth He command you. that ye may be righteous. Moreover, We gave Moses the Book, completing (Our favour) to those who would do right, and explaining all things in detail,- and a guide and a mercy, that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord. And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy:

When beginning the narration about Adam being tempted to eat off the forbidden tree in pursuit of Immortality and a Kingdom that Never Decays, the covenant is mentioned in Surah Taha:

[Al-Quran 20:115] And verily We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot; and not We found in him determination.   

Surah az-Zumar extensively discusses sincerity in DEEN, and concludes with the picture of QIYAMAT when God will judge us all:   

[Al-Quran 39:67 – 68] And not they appraised Allah (with) true appraisal, while the earth entirely (will be) in His Grip (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection, and the heavens (will be) folded in His Right Hand. Glory be to Him! And High is He above what they associate (with Him). And (will) be blown [in] the trumpet, then (will) fall dead whoever (is) in the heavens and whoever (is) on the earth except whom Allah wills. Then (it will) be blown [in it] a second time, and behold! They (will be) standing waiting.    

Surah Hud begins with a declaration, and subsequently clarifies that not everyone will believe, and informs us why only some people are able to take guidance:
[Al-Quran 11:1] Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book are perfected its Verses moreover, explained in detail from (he One Who) (is) All-Wise, All-Aware. 

[Al-Quran 11:118-119] And if your Lord (had) willed surely He (could) have made the mankind one community, but not they will cease to differ.  Except (on) whom your Lord has bestowed Mercy, and for that He created them. And will be fulfilled (the) Word of your Lord, "Surely I will fill Hell with the Jinn and the men all together."

Surah al-Waqi`ah informs us of the three categories that people will be divided in and that it’ll be an alternate form of creation. 

Equitable Justice [قِسْط] vs Injustice [ظُلْم] 
Surah al-A`raf ayat 29 orders balanced or equitable justice [قِسْط] and gives good news to those who comply with sincere submission: 

[Al-Quran 7:29] Say, "My Lord has ordered قِسْط and set your faces at every masjid and invoke Him (being) sincere to Him (in) the religion. As He originated you (so) will you return." 

Zulm means injustice, and polytheism is a great injustice:

[Al-Quran 31:13] And when said Luqman to his son while he (was) instructing him, "O my son! (Do) not associate partners with Allah. Indeed, associating partners (is) surely an injustice great."

Satan commands injustice on many levels, from the smallest to the gravest, leading up to eventually polytheism and to making changes in the creation of Allah, specially the human software, so as to lead humanity into loss and extinction.

Surah Ghafir quotes the Believer admonishing his people against the ‘zulm’ they were indulging in: 

[Al-Quran 40:30 - 31, Translator: Rodwell] Then said he who believed, "O my people! truly I fear for you the like of the day of the allies, The like of the state of the people of Noah and Ad and Themoud, And of those who came after them; yet God willeth not injustice to his servants.

 

Transhumanism is the gravest evil facing humanity in this twenty first century. It seeks to corrupt the very core of what makes us human. It is beautifully packaged in the rhetoric of progress and the promise of transcending the existential challenges facing mankind. 

The consequences of Wronging the Self have been mentioned in the Quran. Genetic studies of Apes and Pigs support the Quran’s claim that when People of the Book wronged themselves, they were transformed as a deterrent punishment for those to come later. Our technology makes it possible to wrong ourselves, and it shows us the genetic evidence of how things may go wrong.  Those who do not believe in the scripture try to find their answers in their Theories of Evolution. The Believers need to realise the direct relevance of the scripture to our times and its pertinent reasoning.

May Allah save us from the deception and injustice of Transhumanism, the evil that threatens to corrupt our very being! 

[Al-Quran 16:33 - 34, Translator: Yusuf Ali] Do the (ungodly) wait until the angels come to them, or there comes the Command of thy Lord (for their doom)? So did those who went before them. But God wronged them not: nay, they wronged their own souls. But the evil results of their deeds overtook them, and that very (Wrath) at which they had scoffed hemmed them in.  

Surah Ahzaab cites injustice as a reason why humans are unfaithful to their Trust, and this is why we must be judged:

[Al-Quran 33:72 – 73, Translator: Safi Kaskas] We offered the Trust to the heavens, the earth and the mountains; but they refused to bear it and feared it, yet the human being took it on. He has always been unjust and ignorant, [This is in order that] God punishes the hypocrites, men and women, as well as the men and women who associate others with Him, and why God turns mercifully towards the believing men and women, for God is the Ever-Forgiving, the Mercy Giver.

What was the Trust we were entrusted with? In this life, we have been entrusted with planet Earth, and granted insights in the knowledge of creation. Why grant us, or any other creation the knowledge, if we are not to use it? Do we have a greater purpose than just living our lives in this temporal world and enjoying the delights of the Gardens in the Hereafter? The Quran reiterates that the Gardens of the Hereafter will be granted as an inheritance. Inheritance implies ownership and responsibility. Furthermore, there seems to be a very grand role awaiting some of us in the Divine Government:

Surah Al-Qamar

[Al-Quran 54:54 - 55] 

Indeed, the righteous (will be) in gardens and river, 

In a seat (of) honor 
near a King Most Powerful.

Concordance in the Qur’an:

 الدِّينِ

http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=dyn#(1:4:3)

الْقَيِّمُ

http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=qwm#(30:30:17)

ظُلْم

http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Zlm#(40:31:13)

قِسْط

http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=qsT#(7:29:4) 

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Last updated on March 14, 2019