Origin of Religion: Evolutionary Theory vs Divine Revelation
— A Comparative Islamic Perspective —
This theory was proposed by Western thinkers and Orientalists, heavily influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. According to this view, religion originated from human ignorance and evolved in stages:
✔ From nature-worship (worship of natural forces like storms and floods),
✔ To hero and ancestor worship,
✔ And ultimately to the concept of monotheism.
➤ Humans, in their ignorance, began to worship natural phenomena.
➤ As intellectual progress occurred, the number of deities gradually decreased, leading to belief in a single god.
➤ Religion is seen as an evolving social phenomenon — not a divine truth.
“Magic came first, then spiritual forces, followed by belief in gods, and finally the concept of one God.”
This theory is rejected on the basis of historical and archaeological evidence, which proves that monotheism is the oldest belief, and polytheism appeared later.
✔ Historical Proof:
Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) (around 2500 BCE) was a proponent of Tawheed, yet even today, millions follow polytheistic practices.
✔ Academic Research:
Professor Stephen H. Langdon of Oxford University concluded that ancient civilizations had a belief in one supreme deity.
The Scotsman, 18 November 1936
✔ Archaeological Discoveries:
Excavations at Tell Asmar revealed that belief in one God preceded polytheism, which only emerged later as a result of corruption.
H. Frankfort, Third Preliminary Report on Excavations at Tell Asmar
This theory holds that religion was revealed by Allah, not invented by man.
The first human, Prophet Adam (عليه السلام), was sent to Earth with guidance from Allah and the message of Tawheed (Oneness of God).
✔ The first religion was monotheism, not polytheism.
✔ Shirk (polytheism) emerged only after the teachings of prophets were altered or forgotten.
✔ Allah sent prophets to every nation and era to call people back to Tawheed.
Allah sent approximately 124,000 prophets for the guidance of mankind.
Their primary mission was to call humanity to worship Allah alone.
✔ Adam (عليه السلام)
✔ Nuh (عليه السلام)
✔ Ibrahim (عليه السلام)
✔ Musa (عليه السلام)
✔ ‘Isa (عليه السلام)
✔ Muhammad ﷺ — The Final Messenger
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” — Matthew 15:24 (Bible)
Islam’s message: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet, and through him, divine law and guidance reached completion.
✔ The Divine Revelation Theory emphasizes that religion is not man-made, but sent down by Allah through revelation.
✔ The first religion was Tawheed (monotheism), and Shirk is a deviation caused by human interference.
✔ Contrary to the Evolutionary Theory, historical, archaeological, and academic evidence supports the claim that belief in one God is the most ancient.
— A Comparative Islamic Perspective —
❖ Theories Regarding the Origin of Religion
① The Evolutionary Theory
This theory was proposed by Western thinkers and Orientalists, heavily influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. According to this view, religion originated from human ignorance and evolved in stages:
✔ From nature-worship (worship of natural forces like storms and floods),
✔ To hero and ancestor worship,
✔ And ultimately to the concept of monotheism.
Key Assumptions:
➤ Humans, in their ignorance, began to worship natural phenomena.
➤ As intellectual progress occurred, the number of deities gradually decreased, leading to belief in a single god.
➤ Religion is seen as an evolving social phenomenon — not a divine truth.
Julian Huxley’s View (Based on Darwinian Thought):
“Magic came first, then spiritual forces, followed by belief in gods, and finally the concept of one God.”
Refutation of the Evolutionary Theory
This theory is rejected on the basis of historical and archaeological evidence, which proves that monotheism is the oldest belief, and polytheism appeared later.
Supporting Evidence:
✔ Historical Proof:
Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) (around 2500 BCE) was a proponent of Tawheed, yet even today, millions follow polytheistic practices.
✔ Academic Research:
Professor Stephen H. Langdon of Oxford University concluded that ancient civilizations had a belief in one supreme deity.
The Scotsman, 18 November 1936✔ Archaeological Discoveries:
Excavations at Tell Asmar revealed that belief in one God preceded polytheism, which only emerged later as a result of corruption.
H. Frankfort, Third Preliminary Report on Excavations at Tell Asmar② The Divine Revelation Theory (الہامی نظریہ)
This theory holds that religion was revealed by Allah, not invented by man.
The first human, Prophet Adam (عليه السلام), was sent to Earth with guidance from Allah and the message of Tawheed (Oneness of God).
Key Concepts:
✔ The first religion was monotheism, not polytheism.
✔ Shirk (polytheism) emerged only after the teachings of prophets were altered or forgotten.
✔ Allah sent prophets to every nation and era to call people back to Tawheed.
③ Comparison of Revealed and Non-Revealed Religions
| Aspect | Revealed Religions | Non-Revealed Religions |
|---|---|---|
| Belief System | Monotheism, Divine origin | Often polytheistic or non-theistic |
| Source | Based on revelation from Allah | Based on human imagination or philosophy |
| Examples | Islam, Judaism, Christianity | Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism |
| Teachings | Clear, comprehensive, consistent | Fragmented, speculative, often contradictory |
| Beginning Point | Tawheed from the start | Shirk and mythology from inception |
④ The Mission of Prophets
Allah sent approximately 124,000 prophets for the guidance of mankind.
Their primary mission was to call humanity to worship Allah alone.
Key Prophets:
✔ Adam (عليه السلام)
✔ Nuh (عليه السلام)
✔ Ibrahim (عليه السلام)
✔ Musa (عليه السلام)
✔ ‘Isa (عليه السلام)
✔ Muhammad ﷺ — The Final Messenger
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” — Matthew 15:24 (Bible) Islam’s message: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet, and through him, divine law and guidance reached completion.✦ Summary
✔ The Divine Revelation Theory emphasizes that religion is not man-made, but sent down by Allah through revelation.
✔ The first religion was Tawheed (monotheism), and Shirk is a deviation caused by human interference.
✔ Contrary to the Evolutionary Theory, historical, archaeological, and academic evidence supports the claim that belief in one God is the most ancient.
