Quran clues on Evolution
-
So he misled them with deception; and when they tasted the tree, THEIR BODIES BECAME APPARENT TO THEM, and they rushed to cover themselves with the leaves of the paradise; and their Lord called to them "Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and tell you that the devil is your clear enemy?"
People usually think that this means Adam and Eve were made to be naked. Could it be possible that "Their bodies became apparent to them" because their souls were kicked out of heaven and placed in human bodies? Thus their earthly bodies became apparent to them. Is it also possible that previous ancestors of humans had not evolved to the point of having souls and when God deemed it time, Adam and Eve were given souls and the human race began? What I'm saying is... It seems possible that evolution and Quran don't necessarily oppose each other. I want to know how others interpret "Their bodies became apparent to them"...
-
Shalom Aleikhem,
I see no reason for interpreting it the way you did. The verse is pretty much straight forward and clear.
So he misled them with deception; and when they tasted the tree, THEIR BODIES BECAME APPARENT TO THEM, and they rushed to cover themselves with the leaves of the paradise; and their Lord called to them "Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and tell you that the devil is your clear enemy?"
What they do as soon as their bodies become apparent to them is logically sound, the try and cover with something. To further substantiate my claim, let us look at the context
719 "And Adam, reside with your mate in the paradise, and eat from wherever you please; but do not approach this tree or you will be of the wicked."
720 But the devil whispered to them, to reveal to them what was not apparent to them of their bodies; and he said "Your Lord did not prohibit you from this tree except that you would become angels, or you would be immortal."
721 And he swore to them "I am giving good advice."
722 So he misled them with deception; and when they tasted the tree, their bodies became apparent to them, and they rushed to cover themselves with the leaves of the paradise; and their Lord called to them "Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and tell you that the devil is your clear enemy?"
723 They said "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, then we will be of the losers!"
724 He said "Descend; for you are enemies to one another; and on the earth you will have residence and provisions until the appointed time."
725 He said "In it you will live and in it you will die, and from it you will be brought forth."
726 O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you garments to alleviate your bodies, and feathers; and the garment of righteousness is the best. That is from the signs of God, perhaps they will remember.
727 O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; he removes from them their garments to show them their bodies. He and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not believe.
728 And if they commit lewdness, they say "We found our fathers doing such, and God ordered us to it." Say "God does not order immorality! Do you say about God what you do not know?"
The way I highlighted in RED the above excerpt from the Qur'an should help you understand why I read and understood that it is ultimately about the general case against lewdness and immorality and yes, nudity seems to be a logical extension of this concept of "morality/immorality".
Peace be with you
------------------------- Student of Allah
-
Background info
Creation of mankind is further discussed in the following verses . The sequence of events resembles an evolutionary process, but with God as the initiator and sustainer, with mankind being given unique qualities at a point in time when ready.