Exclusive Interview with Dr. Abdul-Sabur Shaheen
Featuring His Book: My Father Adam
Translated by: Dar al-Tarjama – The English Convoy
Dr. Hedayah commenced the program by welcoming Dr. Shaheen.
Dr. Hedayah: This episode aims to highlight some facts that the Muslim Nation is unaware of. We will examine the issue of disagreement which our Muslim nation has fallen into. Our righteous predecessors had different opinions and some disagreements about topics that should not be debated. Despite their disagreements, they respected each other and appreciated each scholar’s efforts. There is also a book, written by Dr. Abdul-Jalil Esa, called Matters Not to Be Disputed Over By Muslims.
Today’s issue is that of judgments and presenting the others’ views. Al-Shafi’ee used to say, “My opinion is correct and possibly faulty, whereas the other’s opinion is faulty and possibly correct.” Thus, we are entitled to have our own judgments. Yet, our disagreements should not touch on the religious doctrine and basic principles. We must also beware of the fact that we have gotten used to some misinterpreted words in the Noble Qur’an but once someone attempts to correct them we would instantly disagree with him.
Dr. Abdul-Sabur Shaheen: The issue in the book, My Father Adam: the Story of Creation between Myths and Reality, existed eight years ago. The book raised a number of complaints and some were taken to court. However, the cases were turned down by the Judges based on an Islamic Research Assembly report which stated that “the book does not deal with the basics doctrines, it is just an opinion, and the author has the right to have his own opinion”. The rulings were consistent with the time this book was published.
Recently, this issue was raised again. People started talking about it as if the book was currently published. Keep in mind that we are discussing an issue whose first part is with us, whereas the other part is in the unseen known only by Allah, “(He Alone is) the All-Knower of the Ghaib (Unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghaib (Unseen).” (Al-Jin: 26) .The part that interests us is that Adam is the first Apostle of Allah. We know that he is a Prophet as Allah tells us in the Qur’an, “Allah chose Adam, Nuh (Noah)” (Al-Imran: 33). In addition, in the verse “And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” (Al-Baqara: 30), Allah refers to the religious trust assigned to Adam (May Allah be pleased with him). When Adam knew more than the Angels, “And He taught Adam all the names (of everything)” (Surat Al-Baqara: 31), it proves his lead over them, “And (remember) when We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves before Adam.” (Surat Al-Baqara: 34). We may have disagreements over some phrases, which could be either categorized as different or similar. As far as the different ones are concerned, its understanding will likely be different from one scholar to another, “And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord.” “. (Surat Al-Imran:7)
What does the word khalifa mean? What does “And He taught Adam all the names (of everything” (Surat Al-Baqara: 31) imply? Some Qur’anic commentators said that He taught him words such as sheep, cattle, and camels. Could this be the subject of Allah’s words as He says “And He Taught Adam all the names of everything“? The situation was clear and the Angels have seen the bloodshed this creature would make; is he going to shed the blood of creatures he has never heard of? Of course not, when I first tried to grasp the meaning of the word khalifa, I realized that with Allah’s will, a new era of people’s lives on earth had to start. That is the beginning of human civilization, for there is no such a thing as a religion-free civilization. Adam’s greatness is embodied in the fact that he is the first Apostle who called for monotheism. It goes without saying that the words he was taught were related to his position as a Khalifa and a prophet. Only then did the Angels bow to Adam the Apostle who, of all creatures, was chosen by Allah. They did not bow to Adam the created regular man. This is what I tried to understand. I am not in a position to impose my own understanding on others. Yet, we cannot live without having our own opinions presented. Neither can we deal with the Qur’an as if it were a talisman. Instead, the Qur’an will always be generous by having unseen implications to unfold. Until the Day of Judgment, We will keep receiving knowledge little by little.
I really hope that those who read my book would consider it as a new attempt to understand this story, which has gone through a mixture of facts, myths and many ancient interpretations that include many Israelite stories [in Arabic, Israiliat: defined as stories commonly told among the Jews to explain Biblical or historical situations.] as mingling with religious facts. Yet, we must never give up. I once supervised a Masters degree thesis tackling Israelite stories embedded in At-Tabari’s commentary. The thesis discovered the origins of these Israelite stories. Someone then contacted the researcher asking her if he could buy the copyrights for publishing the book. It felt as if they wanted to say that Islam is not original as Muslims claim and that it is nothing but a citation from the Old Testament. Thus, we must refute these claims with our innovative opinions. This will not happen unless we pledge not to keep silent or stay still for our ancestors used to say that there are some stagnant minds that would never budge despite the fact that using their heads would help enlighten Islamic thinking.
There is a consensus over the creation of Adam and the fact that he is a prophet and a messenger of Allah. Yet, what preceded him? How were they created and in which epoch? Some would say that it was ten thousand years ago and they even set a time scale for it. It is even written in the Old Testament but we cannot accept what is said in the Old Testament. Others would say that it was one hundred thousand years ago. On what grounds are these claims based? What evidence do these claimers have? No one is entitled to have the final decision about this issue. All one can do is speculate. The entire issue is a matter of possibility. There is nothing decisive about it. We all have our own theories and the Prophet (PBUH) said: “he who comes up with a novel opinion concerning a religious issue and was right would be granted two rewards, but had he been wrong he would be granted one reward only”.
Dr. Hedayah: Were there any human beings before the creation of Adam and Eve? And was he chosen out of other humans?
Dr. Abdul-Sabur Shaheen: Theories over this issue stemmed from Allah’s words as He says, “When your Lord said to the angels: “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” (Surat Al-Baqara: 30) As far as my own proposition is concerned, the word idha (meaning if) is an adverb of a forthcoming time, whereas the divine omnipotence necessitates that once Allah says to a thing “be”, that thing becomes. We were forced to have misconceptions contradicting this concept, which is related to the creation of mankind. However, we must reach a compromise within a framework of common benefit. The word idha (if) could take one second as in “And when it is said to them: “Bow down yourself (in prayer)!” They bow not down (offer not their prayers).” (Surat Al-Mursilat: 48) or millions of years. This knowledge has been passed down to us through some scholars, even though some could go as extreme as dealing with legends in the process of preparing one’s thinking to maturity, so that one would be eligible enough to willingly receive the message and grasp the notions of divinity, deity and monotheism that lasted for millions of years. This is what they said, and there is some geological evidence to prove it.
I am a linguist, and I’m aware of the fact that the language we are using now is nothing but one out of three thousand other languages. When and how did our language originate? How are we supposed to know the environment that the first language was formed in? How were languages multiplied until they reached three thousand languages? This is the theme of the book that I am about to publish. As a linguist, I know the linguistic principles, but making these principles known until they prevail all over the community requires hundreds of years. The Classical Arabic has always been in conformity with the archaic Arabic language. Some hope that the classical Arabic would disappear. They say that we are in need of a simpler and less complicated language. I must say that the simplest languages are the most complicated. Take the French language, for instance; despite the fact that it is much more complicated than Arabic, we hear some people describing it as simple and beautiful, whereas Arabic is always the subject of accusations. Suffice it to say that in French, there are thirteen different inflections to conjugate verbs, whereas in Arabic, there are three only: past, present and imperative. Nevertheless, some are conspiring against Islam and wish to totally wipe out the Arabic language. It is a matter of habit that when people become accustomed to using a particular language they would be fluent in it. Hence, languages need hundreds of years to form.
“Say: “Travel in the land and see how (Allâh) originated the creation” (Surat Al-Ankabut: 20). We are held accountable for traveling in quest for the creation of Allah. In Fath-il Bari by Asqalani, the author found that some prophetic traditions dealt with the way Adam looked when he was created (he was about sixty cubits tall, and four cubits wide). He said that there is a problem here. In the land of Thamud in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula, where ancient fossilized corpses were found, we would see that the bodies of the people of Thamud look like ours. The difference of time between Adam and Thamud is less than that between the latter and us. How could we then explain the way their bodies looked? All we can do is leave it to Allah. This is where the scholars’ dignity is portrayed; once they face dilemmas, they would stop. It is much wiser to say nothing about what we cannot grasp.
The other question is that of paradise, the fact that Adam was created in it, was forced to leave it, and go downwards where earth is. I tried to understand it, but could not manage without the Qur’an, in which Allah links the creation to earth “Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again.” (Ta-Ha: 55). “He said: “Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e. resurrected).” (Surat Al-A’raf:25). We are linked to the earth. As for Janna (Paradise), the Qur’an denotes two senses: the unseen sense, which is the everlasting paradise, and the worldly sense, which is the garden, as in “And put forward to them the example of two men: unto one of them We had given two gardens” (Surat Al-Kahf: 32) and “Verily, We have tried them as We tried the people of the garden” (Surat Al-Qalam: 17). Both the Janna of the afterlife and that of the worldly life were mentioned. Adam found himself in a Janna made especially for him and his wife by Allah. Allah told them to beware of the devil, “Then We said: “O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed” (Surat Ta-Ha: 117). Then Allah describes paradise as “Verily, you have (a promise from Us) that you will never be hungry therein nor naked. And you (will) suffer not from thirst therein nor from the sun’s heat.” (Surat Ta-Ha: 118-119). This Janna is characterized with the abundance of food, drink, shade, and clothes. How could these characteristics resemble the description of the paradise of the afterlife? Consider this verse, “The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqûn (the pious – See V.2:2) have been promised: Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade“. (Surat Ar-ra’d: 35) In the Janna of the worldly life, there is food, drink, clothes and shade; that is to say Adam was on earth. However, Satan has whisperingly insinuated them into something, as in this verse “Then Shaitân (Satan) whispered to him, saying: “O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?” “(Surat Ta-Ha: 120) This implies that their worldly knowledge and life experience gave them a hint about eternity and an everlasting kingdom that they wished they had, which the devil promises. They used to lead a simple life in this Janna, and then the devil succeeded in tempting them. Surely, they have known death. Examine this conversation between Adam’s two sons. Had it been the first murder attempt, he would not say “I will surely kill you” (Surat Al-Ma’idah: 27), and “Verily, I intend to let you draw my sin on yourself as well as yours,” (Surat Al-Ma’idah:29) Even though this is a vital life experience, it is nothing but a theory that does not contradict the basics of the Islamic doctrine. Some theorists may conclude that Janna could be located in Saturn or Uranus, or any other planet. Nobody is above science or too superior for knowledge. People’s minds could be so narrow-minded to the extent of degradation and fanaticism. It feels as if the case was just brought to light, as if it were not determined by the court and the Islamic Research Assembly. I believe Allah will take care of silencing it, and would make my wish come true. In other words, to bring victory to what is right and vanquish the injustice.
Dr. Hedayah: It is obvious that this book focuses on mankind and human beings. As far as this topic is concerned, the book is quite satisfactory. Yet, it seems that some viewers did not have the chance to read it. I hope you would kindly explain the difference between the word bashar (mankind) and insaan (human being). Also, emphasize on the word khalifa because all what was said earlier about this word was highly controversial and a matter of debate. Some words have been misconceived because of some faulty concepts. Once one comes up with a novel commentary explaining the text, he would be labeled a blasphemer.
Dr. Shaheen: The verses of Surat Sad are the first ones to talk about this story. They make the starting point of it. It is quite interesting how Adam was never mentioned in the verses of Sad. Instead, they refer to mankind, “(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: “Truly I am going to create man from clay”. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.” (Surat Sad: 71-72). This makes me curious because some of those holding different views would say that Allah is recounting the story of the creation of Adam, “(Allâh) said: “O Iblîs (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands” (Surat Sad: 75). They tend to picture Allah as they picture themselves. We all know that in Arabic, the word yed (hand) signifies omnipotence. Moreover, in “Do they not see that We have created for them of what Our Hands have created the cattle, so that they are their owners” (Surat Ya-sin: 71) the creation with Allah’s Hand is not confined to Adam for it also applies to cattle, “It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky” (Surat Al-An’am:99) with his omnipotence. This question must be settled, and we must structure the viewers’ concept of the Qur’anic utterances on the one hand and the things mentioned in Surat Sad on the other. It started with mankind. Afterwards, it was the story of Adam and mankind; “And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, “Prostrate yourselves to Adam”, and they prostrated themselves.” (Surat Al-A’raf:11) As we all know, the word thumma (then) functions as a preposition of order and inaction. We must realize that the Qur’an explains itself, which is why we should never restrict our understanding to a specific perspective because the Qur’anic text often helps us understand. In fact, we are aware that Adam is the first Apostle of Allah. We know that with his creation, religion, prophethood, and the advent of civilization. Human beings who conveyed Allah’s message were none other than the offspring of Adam who were destined to receive the teachings of religion and heavenly civilization through Adam’s prophethood. How could all this happen throughout the early phases of his life? That is part of Allah’s knowledge. What mostly matters to us is that Adam indulged into humanity, and became a man and a human being. Thus, it should be true when the Qur’an tells the Prophet (PBUH), “Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a man like you“ ” (Surat Al-Kahf: 110). This means that the Prophet (PBUH) is saying, “I am only a human being created by Allah especially to convey a message. Religion is but a turning point to transfer you from the stage of mankind to that of humanity. I was sent to be the seal of the Prophets, and to call for the oneness of Allah through Islam (submission to Allah), which is the religion of all Apostles of Allah”. This is another issue, but we are neither contradicting the verses of the Qura’n nor our own understanding of it. Additionally, we never fabricate lies against it. We are being logical and simply consistent with the Qur’an and all its implications. Whoever thinks otherwise let him spill it out. When Allah sent down these words, “His is the Creation and Commandment” (Surat Al-A’raf:54), Caliph Omar Bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “he who has anything to say after these words, let him say it”. I am just presenting my opinion. I never claimed that I am the only one who possesses the whole truth. I know too well that other people, who are much better than I am, said the same things before me. They said that there were many Adams before Adam was even created. One of which is the philosopher Muhee-Ad-Din Al-Arabi who had a theoretical hypothesis. We cannot just accuse him of lying. If we could, what evidence do we have? I relied on the Qur’an, which is quite sufficient and it spared me the trouble of falling into contradictory views.
I am a man and a human being at the same time. I have not lost anything by becoming a man. On the Day of Judgment, I will be resurrected as a man and a human being as well.
In reference to this verse, “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” (Surat Al-Baqara: 30) what does the word khalifa stand for? Does it mean Allah’s heir?
I believe that this concept cannot be accepted. Allah would never disappear in order to have a successor, “And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be.” (Surat Al-Hadid: 4), “There is no Najwâ (secret counsel) of three but He is their fourth.” (Surat Al-Mujadila: 7) Even the angels are not described as successors or heirs. Instead, they are described as guardians. They are but employees working for the Prophet and his offspring, the children of Adam. Suffice it to say that the vocative form is always used before ‘the sons of Adam’ as in (O Children of Adam), so that we could know how privileged this offspring is. We cannot know who were building the earth before Adam, and who kept building it after his death for Allah is the only One Who knows.
We must acquire good manners from the Qur’an. When Allah recounts a historical story He says “That is of the news of the Ghaib (Unseen) which We reveal to you (O Muhammad)” (Surat Yusef:102), and as He tells us the story of Prophet Yusuf’s brothers “And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly” (Surat Yusuf:103), and “This is a part of the news of the unseen which We inspire you with (O Muhammad” (Surat Hud: 49) The manners I am referring to manifest themselves in the fact that the key to any unknown knowledge is with Allah Almighty. We must share any knowledge we receive whatsoever. When we acquire it, we must humbly give thanks and prayer for such a blessing. Thus, when we read the word khalifa in “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” we must know that it refers to a messenger recruited by Allah. When Allah uses the word khalifa to refer to those who are described by the angles as mischief-makers and bloodthirsty, it means that there was a khalifa. Yet, to be honest, I think it is a very strange view and I just cannot adopt it. Thus, the word khalifa stands for the employee and the prophet who will convey Allah’s message. All of the prophets are sent by Allah as in “Those Messengers! We preferred some of them to others” (Surat Al-Baqara: 253). All Apostles of Allah are but employees working for Allah. They were chosen by Him to convey His message. This was the conclusion of my theory. They are but employees and that is it.
From 1967 to 1998, I have been preoccupied with this notion, and I kept thinking about it. Yet, there are some who try to discuss the book without even reading it. To discuss something, one’s views must be derived from his or her impression and thinking. When I was in Medina, I raised this point before Mr. Muhammad al-Majdhub (may Allah bless his soul). He heard me utter the word khalifa, and thought that I was implying ‘a successor of Allah’. Thus, he reproachfully said “how could you say this! Allah would never disappear to have a successor!” I was so thankful and grateful to him because new methodologies of thinking were open to me. I told him ‘you taught me something, which was so strange to me’. This is how our manners should be.
Dr. Hedayah: Would you please tell us whether Adam had parents or not. Was this subject tackled in the book?
Dr. Shaheen: I was not there when people were created, or when Allah gave them their perfect shape, or when He breathed the soul into their bodies and gave them minds, which is what the verse “So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.” (Surat Sad: 72) implies. In this verse, the ‘soul’ does not refer to the soul which is associated with the body movement because movement exists in every creature. Human beings were blessed by Allah who granted them some of His soul which He blew into their bodies. As a linguist, I have the tendency to picture the way man was guided to use his voice, how he gave it meaning, and how he formed the first word structure just to utter the words ‘Papa’ and ‘Mama’, which are two of the oldest of words. They are even thought to be related to the Classical Arabic. Then, how could he develop a sound system throughout hundreds of years, and pass it on from one clan to another, from one language to another and from one dialect to another? Could I easily grasp all this as if it occurred overnight? Of course not, time is a must. It serves as an order ordained by Allah, and it is how Allah’s creation works.
A phone call came from Dr. Muhammad Al-Musayyar, professor of Creed and Philosophy in Al-Azhar University.
Dr. Musayyar thanked Dr. Hedayah for interviewing Dr. Shaheen and said:
Aristotle once said: Plato is a man who is dear to my heart, but rightness is more right to follow.
Some issues, such as the lifetime of the worldly life, or the origin of religion or our attitude towards Israelite stories, are not to be debated, unlike the basic issues, such as the word Adam and whether it refers to an individual or an entire race. If we decide that it refers to a race, we would be contradicting the religious scriptures, for Adam is an individual.
Have creatures been formed through the evolution of species as Darwinism states? I believe Dr. Shaheen would never approve of this. Had Adam been chosen out of other human beings, there would never be an independent creature. I cannot see the difference between the creation of Adam and that of ordinary man, who is created from the primary cell.
Are the details of the way Adam was created considered as scientifically empirical, or are they considered as a matter or religion?
The issue is related to religion, “I (Allâh) made them (Iblîs and his offspring) not to witness” (Al-Kahf: 51). It is fine for scientists to have their say. However, everything they say is mere hypothesis and can never be specific. It seems that drawing a distinction between the word bashar (mankind) and insaan (human being) is fabricated. Language is filled with synonyms, none of which proved to be logically true. As far as semantics is concerned, the word bashar signifies something, whereas insaan signifies another. When we describe mankind as dumb, mute and blind, then we say that Adam has descended from it, are we implying that Adam denotes an individual or a race? Did this mankind produce a sole Adam or a whole group of Adams? Saying that Adam was formed out of mankind, but was lonesome is, as far as I am aware of, very inconsistent with the Qur’an. As for the assumption that there was a project to build a human being, which has gone through different phases, I think it is the product of Dr. Shaheen’s imagination. I know that Dr. Shaheen is against myths, but he has the imagination of poets, for only poets can grasp such meanings.
As for the argument of whether Adam was on earth or in heaven, I think that the story necessitates that it should be a heavenly paradise. When Allah taught Adam the names of everything, was that in a worldly garden? Did the angels prostrate themselves before Adam in a worldly garden? So what makes the difference between an orchard and the other parts of the earth?
I believe that the clear-cut aspects of the Qur’an must be respected, unless some logical or scientific fact appears to cause one to believe otherwise.
As for the word khalifa, I think it has many meanings. Yet, that of Allah’s successor is out of the question. Khalifa could refer to an arbitrator. All other creatures were created before Adam, for he was the last creature to be created by Allah, “And He taught Adam all the names of everything.” (Al-Baqara: 31) When Allah says “Truly, I am going to create man from clay“(Sad: 71) He is not referring to Adam but to Adam’s offspring, “…shed blood” (Al-Baqara: 30)
Dr. Shaheen’s answer was as follows:
Whether it is a matter of religion or science, I think it is both. Some of it is related to a religious concept and others to science. We may make use of some scientific researches dealing with the history of creation on earth and everything on it. Nowadays, there are some criteria for calculating the time of existence, and the time it took to form with the use of nuclear radiation. Even though this has nothing to do with my domain, some Muslim scholars do quote it. To me, I think it is a mixture of religious concept and science gathered to form a whole novel idea about the truth behind this issue.
Concerning the Janna where Adam was, Dr. Musayyar said that the Janna of Adam must be up in Heaven rather than on earth. This is his opinion of which I cannot disapprove. Yet, maybe he said this because of the verb ihbitoo (go down), “Get down all of you from this place” (Surat Al-Baqara: 38) inferring that this verse is talking about the act of descending from Heaven down to the earth. Others, including me, would explain it as losing a status or a rank, just as the case is when Moses said to his people “Go you down to any town” (Surat Al-Baqara: 61), for the Qur’an could have this sense as well.
Regarding the word khalifa, it seems that Dr. Musayyar agrees with us in the fact that there is not such a thing as a successor of Allah, and that was the exact sense I chose as I commented on the verse “Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth.” (Al-Baqara: 30) Yet, some tend to label anyone who says that Adam is not Allah’s successor as a blasphemer. How is that for an opinion? Nobody but Allah knows what He does, and He wants us to believe that he who thinks that Adam is not the khalifa of Allah must be a blasphemer. For the word khalifa, we do not know exactly what it denotes. Thus, we leave it to the knowledge of Allah. We deem Allah Almighty so far from having a successor, or having to absent himself from his servants for even one moment “And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be.” (Al-Hadid: 4) Adam is a khalifa in the sense of a prophet appointed by Allah, and not a khalifa in the sense of a successor who succeeds Allah.
In addition, does the word ‘Adam’ signify an individual or a whole race? Adam is a messenger sent by Allah, who can never be transferred into a race, unless he becomes a messenger. Afterwards, he was the origin of the human species, which are called for abiding by religious duties. There were not any religious duties or any religion in the first place, prior to Adam. People were making mischief. They had no religious commitments whatsoever. Yet, once Allah sent Adam, religious commitments were ordained. I also said that there is no such a thing as a religion-free civilization. Adam was the one who conveyed the religion of full submission to Allah, which has the same teachings of Islam. From Adam’s prophethood to that of Muhammad (PBUH), no religion other than Islam appeared. This is our conviction. Every word uttered by any of Allah’s Prophets is nothing but a part of the teachings of Islam, which is but Allah’s religion, “Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm” (Al-Imran: 19).
Dr. Hedayah: In your view, is this an issue of religion or science, or is it a mixture of both?
Dr. Shaheen: It is an issue of calling for knowledge. I have been in this domain since 1943. In other words, since I was thirteen years of age. I often feel as if I am prostrating myself to Allah in this journey of mine. The fact that I am so much attached to preaching made me encounter a great deal of debates concerning issues such as the creation and religious commentary. I once recited the entire ‘Revival of Religious Knowledge’ and ‘Arousing Interests and Fear’ in the mosque. I even know those two books by heart, as well as Al-Bukhari and Muslim Authentic Narration. I have been through numerous situations in which I had to face many issues and many questions. As a young and well-educated man, back in 1957, when I graduated from the Dar Al-Ma’rifa (House of Knowledge), I started to publish Islamic books for Arabic readers. I was told that after my graduation my chances of working as a teacher or having any other civil service job were very slim. I therefore decided to take translation for a career. I then learned French. Afterwards, I was destined to have a book by Malik, the Islamic intellectual. I had the honor of translating his books, which are related to the difficulties of Islamic thinking such as The Qur’anic Phenomenon, which has been published for the fortieth time so far. It is thought to be the greatest book ever published in the twentieth century. It is a very interesting book. It was even forwarded by Dr. Mahmood Shaker, a practicing Muslim, who is even more pious than Taha Husein or Al-Aqqad. I have been reading many books. I would like to add that I once made a wish and invoked Allah to summon a copy of The Constitution of Ethics in the Qur’an by Dr. Muhammad Abdulllah Daraz on the Day of Judgment, in order to intercede for me as I stand before my Lord. This makes me proud. Translation has allowed many ideas to surge into my mind, and rendered my way of thinking more moderate. The issue is, basically, a matter of calling for Allah’s cause. There is a book, History of the Qur’an, which was published thirty five times. It is now part of many college syllabuses, which is taught in the Institute of Islamic Studies. I also wrote a lot about the different methods of reciting the Q’uran, which was included in academic subjects for Masters and Doctorate Students. Is it then fair for people to question my faith, or for me to be described as an extremist? I would sacrifice my life for my faith.
Dr. Hedayah: In your view, do you think Eve was created out of Adam’s rib, or was she created from earth?
Dr. Shaheen: I read a published paper which states that this topic is widespread in myths and legends of Central Asia, and that it was found in the Old Testament. They even say that Adam was awake, then fell asleep, and then opened his eyes to see Eve. These are all myths and fabricated stories. Many people adopted them as if they were true. What sounds more logical: saying that Adam and Eve were created by Allah according to the rules of creation, (through a series of human beings, “out of an extract of clay” (Surat Al-Mu’minun:12), or that Adam was 240 meters tall, but he got smaller and smaller, or that Eve was created out of his rib despite the fact that the number of ribs in a women’s bodies is equal to that of men’s? There is scientific evidence to prove it. I do not claim that I am explaining the unseen, nor do I ever claim that I could see it. Even though I have reached the truth I was seeking, I would never impose the possibility I have come up with as such. After all, Allah is the All-Knowing.
Episode aired on 4/7/2004