CH02 The Concept of Human Being_std.pdf

CHAPTER 2 The Concept of Human Being DR. NOORHASYIMAH ISMAIL / SYAKIRAH ZAHAR School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia  Objectives At the end of the course students should be able to: 1. Describe the concept...

CHAPTER 2 The Concept of Human Being DR. NOORHASYIMAH ISMAIL / SYAKIRAH ZAHAR School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia  Objectives At the end of the course students should be able to: 1. Describe the concept and theories of human origin. 2. Discuss the process of human creation from both Islamic and scientific perspectives. 3. Explain the life stages and phases of life of human being.  Introduction Humans are unique beings that exist on this earth - lies in their intellectual capacity, which sets them apart from other creatures. There are various philosophical understandings regarding the origin of human creation, and research is conducted to seek answers to questions about human origins. The highest form of knowledge comes directly from Allah SWT, touching on realities beyond human comprehension. discusses the nature of Allah and His attributes, addresses matters of the unseen world such as the afterlife, explains the fundamental obligations that must be fulfilled toward Allah SWT.  Concept of Human ⮚ Adam a.s. was the first man created by The Almighty followed by his spouse, Hawa (Eve). ⮚ In Islam, humans are free from the stain of original sin. ⮚ Islam teaches the concept of man as the constituent of ‘Ummah’ which embraced the entire humanity with universal honor as the descendants of Adam and Hawa, regardless of race, ancestry, tribe, or colour.  The Importance of Understanding the Origin of Human Beings as Allah's 1. Mankind Most Superior Creation Path to Self-Discovery 2. through Reflection Human are the most superior and unique creation of Allah Thinking, reasoning, and SWT – endowed with a soul, reflecting upon the universe body, intellect, and desires will eventually lead to self- STUDY OF discovery of acknowledging MANKIND Allah’s majesty and greatness. 3. Significance of Knowledge on Human Origin Understanding the origin of human beings, especially the unique process of their creation, highlight their designation as the best of creatures by Allah. In surah al-Tin it says: “We have certainly created man in the best of stature” (At Tin, 95:4) The Purpose of Understanding the Origin of Mankind ▪ The ultimate purpose of understanding the origin of mankind is to cultivate a deep awareness of Allah's greatness. This is reflected in His words: “What is the matter with you that you are not in awe of the Majesty of Allah. when He truly created you in stages?” (Nuh,71:13-14) ▪ In another verses, Allah conveys a similar message: “So let man observe from what he was created.” (At-Tariq,86:5)  The Wisdom of Reflecting on Creation Allah SWT commands people to think and reflect upon their origins 01 and beginnings so that they may recognize their insignificance and fragility in comparison to His greatness. This awareness is crucial, as it relates to one’s faith in Allah SWT. 02 A fundamental aspect of faith is placing one's hope solely in Allah. how can one hope in Allah alone if they fail to acknowledge their 03 own limitations before Him? A proud and arrogant man, ignorant of their origin, is incapable of fully directing their hope toward Allah SWT. Therefore, gaining knowledge of one's beginnings is necessary to develop complete 04 reliance on Allah SWT. Theories of human origin 1. There are multiple theories 3. Greek and Western classical philosophers relating to present the theory of human origins by referring human origin. to two sources of knowledge, which are intellect and senses. 2. The diversity of the 4. Islamic theory on human origins is grounded in theory is the result of the Islamic epistemology, which emphasizes revelation underlying epistemological as the supreme source of knowledge, specifically difference (philosophy of the al-Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet knowledge). Muhammad.  Infographic HumanStyle Origins According to Western Philosophers Both classical and modern Notable Western Western philosophers, philosophers who have when addressing the contributed views on the fundamental question of origin of human human origin, primarily rely existence include Plato on two methods of (427- 347 BC), Aristotle reasoning: rational (384 - 322 BC), La thought or empirical Mettrie (1709 - 1751M), experience through Feuerbach (1804 - sensory observation or 1812M), and Karl Marx both. (1818-1883M). The View of Greek Philosophers Before the 19th century, the concept of biology was influenced by the belief that the organic world was a static system, not subject to continuous change or the transition of forms. This natural philosophy became the official doctrine of the Church for several centuries. Human origins according to Plato (427-347 BC) Plato's Theory of Reincarnation Plato believed that human existence begins in the realm of ideas, an eternal and unchanging reality. From this realm, the soul transitions to the physical world, where it must eventually return to the realm of ideas to attain true and lasting happiness. However, before returning, the soul must liberate itself from the constraints of the body and the diverse influences of the material world (Tatamus). Only those who succeed in this spiritual journey can return to the realm of ideas. This concept is known as Plato's Theory of Reincarnation. Human origins according to Plato (427-347 BC) What is the ultimate reality of the world? According to Plato, the ultimate reality of the world lies in the world of ideas (the intellectual world), in contrast to the world of appearances. In this intellectual world, every physical object in the material world has a corresponding "form" or idea that represents its true essence. These forms include properties, relationships, and values, existing as singular, fixed, and unchanging entities. Within the world of ideas, there are hierarchical levels, with the idea of "goodness" being among the highest. In contrary, the world of appearances is temporary, variable, and merely a shadow/imperfect reflection of the world of ideas. While Plato acknowledged the diversity of the sensory world, he did not consider it as representing true reality. Human origins according to Aristotle (384-322 BC) Aristotle belief is contradicted to Plato’s as he suggested the physical world (real world) to be the sole existence. He identified four types of existence: - Inanimate Objects (Jamadat): Things that simply exist without life. - Vegetative Life: Plants - grow and sustain themselves. - Vegetative, Sensitive Life: Animals - grow and have sensory experiences. - Vegetative, Sensitive, Rational Life: Humans - grow, sense, and reason. All life eventually dies in its physical form, but the soul remains eternal. Aristotle did not clearly define what happens to the soul after it leaves the body. He believed that the wise person acts according to reason in fulfilling the needs of the body.  Human origin according to La Mettrie (1709-1751) – French physician and philosopher Humans are nothing more than material beings. Humans are machines composed of a physical body. The body can move without the soul, but the soul cannot move without the body. Human origin according to Feuerbach (1804-1812) – German anthropologist and philosopher According to Feuerbach, there is nothing but nature. Humans are natural things, which are derived from nature. Human knowledge is based on their experiences, guided by the tendencies of nature. Therefore, this natural world should be accepted but religion and metaphysic must be denied.  Human origins according to Karl Marx (1818-1883) – German philosopher; The Father of Communism Humans exist through the existence of society; in fact, they are essentially society itself. Human power is reflected in the ability to produce economic productivity, driven by the fundamental need to survive. Other aspects such as knowledge, religion, morality, law, and politics are merely byproducts or residuals of this fundamental condition. Marx rejected the existence of the soul, religion, and God.  Human origins according to Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) - Austrian neurologist; founder of psychoanalysis The most famous theory by Freud is the concept of the unconscious mind which governs most of individual’s behaviors. - Human behavior is primarily driven by sexual desires that develop from early childhood. According to Freud, the soul has three levels of consciousness; conscious, preconscious and unconscious. Sigmund Freud focused heavily on sexuality as the central force in human personality development, which could later evolve into spiritual or other forms of expression. In Freud's view, all individuals are fundamentally driven by the pursuit of sex or power, with no one being exempt from these primal urges. Human origins according to Charles Darwin (1808-1882) - English naturalist Humans evolved from simple, single- celled organisms. His opinion was supported by Haeckel (1834-1919). This theory is called the Theory of Evolution. Evolution is a universal process affecting all living beings, including humans.  Key Hypotheses of Darwin's Theory: 1) Every living organism undergoes variation and change. 2) In most organisms, the transmission of traits occurs through the process of natural selection. 3) Isolation plays a role in the formation of new species. 4) Fossils from ancient times provide evidence that evolution has occurred.  Variation Key element of evolution. Without variation, evolution would not occur. Happens randomly and without a specific direction. It can be a good, neutral or bad breed. Good breeds will thrive, while bad breeds will be wiped out through species extinction.  Natural Selection Evolution through natural selection - a natural process where the strongest species survive and the weaker ones are eliminated by their environment. (survival of the fittest) Although this should be a primary mechanism of evolution, there is no definitive evidence that it alone leads to evolution.  Darwin’s Evolutionary Research and Ramapithecus In Darwin's evolutionary research, he identified Ramapithecus, a creature whose fossils were discovered in India in 1932, consisting of a few teeth and bone fragments, as a human fossil. However, this view was challenged by the discovery of a baboon named Theropithecus gelada in Ethiopia, which closely resembled Ramapithecus, casting doubt on the idea that humans evolved from apes.. Further research also failed to align with the hypothesis that humans were closely related to Australopithecus, Homo erectus, and Homo neanderthalensis. These species, particularly Homo habilis, were determined not to be human.  Human origins according to Islam Human being is fundamentally composed of two major elements; body and soul. Each element has its own uniqueness and advantages, which together shape an individual's personality. Apart from these two elements, humans are also provided with other essential elements such as heart, mind and desires by Allah SWT. Understanding these five elements is crucial when discussing the origin of human beings. Allah SWT has Stages of human creation created human being through two processes: 1.Divine Creation 2.Biological Hence, the creation of Allah SWT has process Apart from human beings can be made Adam Adam a.s, other understood through a.s. from the human beings the following three clay and were created sub-topics: commanded through a 1. Creation of Adam 'kun fayakun’; biological a.s (“Be”, then it is.) process 2. Creation of Hawwa involving 3. Creation of the marriage. offspring of Adam a.s. 1. Can humans be created from other than clay? Quran/Article.. 2. What is the biological process of human creation? Quran.. 3. Why were other humans besides Adam and Eve created through the biological process? Quran.. 4. Why did Allah create humans from clay instead of other substances? Any dalil.. 5. What is the meaning of ‘kun fa yakun’ mentioned in the Quran? Quran.. 6. What did God command man to do? Quran/Article.. 7. What type of clay was Adam made from? Hadith.. 8. Why did God decide to create humans? Quran, hadith, research by other.. 9. What will happen if human cloning succeeds? Research.. 10. Why did God create humans - male & female? Quran, research.. 11. Why was Adam created first, not Eve? Quran, Islamic Scholars.. 12. Why did Adam and Eve start as one race and then diversify? Quran, Bible.. 13. How did the idea of human creation occur to God? Quran.. 14. Who created god? Any dalil.. 15. where does the soul come from? Hadith, Quran.. 16. How are bones formed when humans are created from clay? Hadith, Quran.. 17. We are created by God, so why does sin exist? Holy books, article.. 18. Which came first, the earth or humans? Quran.. 19. Why do we need to reproduce? Quran, article.. 20. Why were Adam and Eve in paradise while their offspring are elsewhere? Any dalil.. 21. Why is human capability limited? Any dalil.. i) Creation of Adam a.s. Adam a.s. was created by Allah SWT from clay, and by His command, 'kun fayakun’. (Be, and it is) The process of creation of Adam a.s. underwent six stages: The wisdom behind the creation of human from soil 1. The spiritual aspect contained in the fact that humans originally came from the soil, has developed people’s consciousness that he will be returned to the soil after his death, then soon be resurrected in the Hereafter. As Allah SWT says: “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time”. (Taha, 20:55) 2) To test man’s faith and belief in the Hereafter. Allah SWT further declares: “O people, if you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust”. (Al-Hajj, 22:5)  ii) Hawwa’ Ibn Abbas reported that Hawwa' was created by Allah S.W.T. creation from the left rib of the Prophet Adam a.s Based on the narrations of several companions of Prophet Muhammad including Abdullah bin Abbas and Abdullah bin Mas'ud; Iblis was driven out of Paradise when he was cursed, and Adam was settled in Paradise. Adam used to go about there all alone, not having a spouse to dwell with.`" He fell asleep, and when he woke up, he found sitting at his head a woman who had been created by God from his rib. He asked her what she was, and she replied: A woman. He asked for what purpose she had been created, and she replied: For you to dwell with me. The angels, looking (to find out) the extent of Adam's knowledge, asked him her name. He replied: Eve (Hawwa'). When the angels asked why she was (Picture shown is for illustration purpose only) called Eve, he replied: Because she was created from a living (hay) thing. God said (Al-baqarah, 2:35): "Adam, dwell you and your spouse in Paradise! Eat freely of its ADAM plenty wherever you wish!" HAWWA iii)The creation of Adam’s offspring The creation of Adam's offspring differs from that of Adam a.s. and Hawwa’. While Adam's descendants are created by Allah SWT from droplets of semen, the stages of fetal development within the mother's womb are detailed in the Quran (Surah al- Mu'minun, 23:12-14): “And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.” The six stages of the creation of Adam’s offspring Embryology ‘IZAM WA NAFKHUR- LAHM NASY‘AH RUH NUTFAH ‘ALAQAH (Blowing of MUDGHAH (bones/ KHALQAN (somite) AKHAR soul into (zygote) (epigenesis) skeleton & body) flesh/myoto (fetus) mee)  Nutfah (a sperm-drop) The term nutfah comes from the Arabic word nutf, meaning "a little drop of water". Nutfah refers to the first stage of human development, beginning right after fertilization or during the first week of pregnancy. It is the initial phase when the male sperm and female ovum merge to form a zygote. Among the verses of the Quran: - Surah al-Insan, 76:2 - Surah al-Mu’minun, 23:12-14 The Al-Quran further explains that the fertilized ovum (zygote), after fertilization in the fallopian tube, travels to the uterus and embeds itself into the uterine lining (endometrium). This embedding process, referred to by the term arham, occurs within a specified period. (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:5)  ‘Alaqah (a clinging clot) 'Alaqah has several meanings: - That which clings or depends - Leeches - Blood clots This stage begins on the seventh day after fertilization when the fertilized ovum implants in the uterine wall. Among the verses of the Qur'an that mention 'alaqah: - Surah al-Mu’minun, 23:14 - Surah al-'Alaq, 96:2  Mudghah (a lump of flesh) Mudghah is the stage that begins in the fourth week of pregnancy. Mudghah means "chewed lump“, which resembles a chewed mass due to the somites (which create the impression of teeth marks) During this stage, the formation of the spinal cord, ears and other organs occurs. The heart also begins to beat, and blood flow increases. Among the verses of the Quran that mention mudghah: - Surah al-Hajj, 22:5 - Surah al-Mu’minun, 23:14 ‘Izam wa lahm (Bones and Flesh) The stage of 'izam wa lahm refers to the formation of bones and muscles. At this stage, bones are formed and muscles develop around the skeletal structure. Complex body systems also begin to form during this period. The Qur'anic verse that mentions this stage is: - Surah al-Mu’minun, 23:14  Nasy‘ah khalqan akhar (a new creation) The stage of nasy‘ah khalqan akhar begins in the eighth week when the embryo develops into a fetus. At this stage, the formation of the placenta is complete. The fetus now has nails and fully developed limbs.  Nafkhur-ruh (Blowing the Spirit) Nafkhur-ruh is the stage when the spirit is breathed into the body. From an Islamic point of view, fetal development encompasses not only physical growth but also spiritual development. The Qur'anic verse that mentions nafkhur-ruh: - Surah al-A’raf, 172 In addition, the Qur'an also mentions the development of five senses such as hearing (al-sama`), sight (al- absor) and heart (af`idah) (As-Sajdah, 32:9). THE PHASES OF HUMAN LIFE LIFE IN THE HEREAFTER LIFE IN THE GRAVE LIFE IN THE WORLD LIFE IN THE WOMB LIFE IN LAUH AL- MAHFUZ (SOULS) Conclusion Human beings consist of both body and soul and will pass through five stages of life, each step by step: 1) Life in ‘Lauh al-Mahfuz’ (a hidden, pre-existence period of the soul) 2) Life in the womb (approximately 9 months and 10 days) 3) Life in the world (the duration depends on each individual’s lifespan) 4) Life in the grave (from death until the resurrection in the Hereafter) 5) Life in the Hereafter (eternal existence, either in heaven or hell) The third stage of life; the life in the world will determined the final fate of an individual.  In conclusion, humans are the best of creations, endowed with intellect. We should be grateful for all the blessings granted by our Creator. Indeed, every creation has a purpose; for example, as human beings, we are entrusted with the responsibility of managing this world wisely. To this day, Darwin's Theory is still questioned by some because, according to his theory, humans evolved from apes. However, in reality, apes are animals, while humans are distinct beings. History has shown that the progress of a nation depends on its achievements in knowledge.