Is Evolution a Dirty Word? Muslim Perspectives on Science and Religion (Shoaib Malik) Ep. #197

Is the relationship between Islam and science as well-developed as it is in Christianity? Not even close—but that’s changing. In this episode, Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Lecturer in Science and Religion at the University of Edinburgh, joins Dru Johnson to share the emerging field of Islam and science, focusing on the hot topic of evolution. Shoaib unpacks the historical development of Islamic engagement with science, tracing it from early encounters with Western scientific frameworks to the present. He explains why the Islamic world lacks infrastructure like textbooks, academic chairs, and journals for the science-religion conversation—and why that’s finally beginning to change. But what about evolution? Shoaib shares why it remains a highly sensitive subject in Muslim-majority countries (including stories of professors losing jobs over it) and how Muslim views differ from Christian ones, especially around original sin, Adam, and human suffering. This is an honest, fascinating look at how Muslims are navigating modern science, why cultural and religious taboos persist, and how Shoaib’s work is shaping new conversations at the intersection of Islamic theology and science. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles:https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought/ X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Shoaib Ahmed Malik's Journey03:11 Transition from Engineering to Humanities06:00 Teaching Experience in the UAE09:14 Pursuing Philosophy, Science, and Religion12:18 Publishing and Academic Recognition15:11 Navigating Career Changes and New Opportunities18:29 Exploring Science and Religion Conversations26:43 Navigating Conversations with Students27:29 Understanding Islam: Sunni vs Shia30:19 The Contemporary Muslim World: Sunni and Shia Dynamics31:34 The Intellectual History of Islam35:17 Muslim Perspectives on Science and Religion39:01 Islamization of Science: A Discourse Emerges42:48 The Development of Islamic Science Education44:25 Evolution and Its Reception in the Muslim World48:11 Unique Questions Muslims Ask About Evolution