Between Atom and Adam: Islam, Evolution, and the Mystery of Creation - Paperback

by T. O. Shanavas (Author)

This book explores the profound intersection of Islamic theology, panpsychism, and modern science, offering a comprehensive reflection on the origins and evolution of life, the cosmos, and human consciousness. Moving between Qur'anic exegesis, classical Islamic scholarship, and contemporary scientific theories-from evolution, genetics, and cosmology to chaos theory, quantum mechanics, and loop quantum cosmology-it argues for a universe that is alive, conscious, and participatory, unfolding according to divine command (al-amr) yet open to complexity and emergence. Drawing on thinkers such as al-Bīrūnī, Ibn Khaldūn, al-Rāzī, and Ibn ʿArabī alongside modern philosophers and scientists like Stephen Hawking, David Chalmers, and John Polkinghorne, the book presents a teleological model in which creation is dynamic, stage-based, and spiritually infused. At its heart is the conviction that Adam and Eve are spiritual rather than biological progenitors of humanity, marking the threshold of moral awareness and prophetic responsibility. Written for both academic and faith-based audiences, it seeks to bridge revelation and reason, demonstrating how Qur'anic cosmology resonates with contemporary insights into evolution, consciousness, and the fate of the universe.