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Fatwa CenterSatan changing Allah's creation
Question
In one of the Surahs, the Shytan says he will lead humans to cut the ears of animals and change Allah's creation. Could this be related to tissue culture where pigs ears are used to generate human skin? In another Surah it is mentioned that a certain tribe that disobeyed God was turned into monkeys and pigs. I know that this is thought of as their hearts were changed but could this according to scientific findings mean more? As the monkey is the closest to humans genetically(with up to 98%identical DNA)and the pigs have the closest skin type to humans? Iam asking such questions as a scientist and hope my knowledge might be of use, if not Iwish for God to forgive me.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
As for Allah's statement by the tongue of the devil {… and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allâh….} [4:119]
This verse means that the devil will order his followers to cut the ears of the animals, and they will obey him. Some used to cut the ears of the animals dedicated to their false gods as an indication that such things can free their idols. They used to cut the ears of al-Bahira (a slit-ear she-camel) al-Saeba (she-camel let loose for free pasture for false gods) and al wasilah (she-camel let free for idols). This cut constitutes a form of worshipping idols with Allah (The Exalted).
Also, Allah's statement by the tongue of the devil: {….and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allâh.……} [4:119] constitutes a form of indirect reference to stupid acts of people before Islam, i.e., to changing the creation of animals for nothing. Other examples of worshipping idols by making some practices such as (1) gorging out the eyes of male animals and dedicating them for false gods since they were much used for production. This is to prevent people from mounting them. (2) Tattooing for beautification, while it is, in fact, deformation, and (3) branding animals' face.
As for Allah's statement: {…..those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines,…..} [5:60], Allah tells us that He cursed the Jews and became angry of them and changed them into apes and pigs. The majority of scholars believe that Allah changed them in reality, i.e. some became apes and others pigs. But, Imam Mujahid believes that such change was in hearts, not in bodies.
Ibn al-Jawzi believes in the first opinion, i.e. change into apes and pigs in reality. This opinion is supported by the sound Prophetic Hadith recorded by Imam Muslim from Ibn Mas'ud who said: 'Allah's Messenger (SAW) was asked if apes and pigs were from what Allah transformed. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Allah did not destroy some nation or did not transform some nation and made for them offspring. Infact, apes and pigs were existent before."
So, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) did not answer him if transformation was in hearts and not in bodies.
Therefore, Allah's statement {…..and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle,……} [4:119], does not include any indication to 'generating human skin' from the ears of pigs. Also, Allah's statement {…..those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines,…..} [5:60], does not indicate to what you think about the transformation showing a similarity between apes and human being from genetical point of view, nor that pigs are the closest beings concerning 'the human skin', since Allah transformed them as mentioned above as a form of punishment.
Allah is All-Able to do everything.
We pray Allah to grant you success and to guide you to what pleases Him.
Allah knows best.
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