7. The Error That The "Forefathers" Mentioned In The Qur'an Refer To Evolutionary Ancestors

Another matter that Muslims who have been deceived by the theory of evolution try to portray as evidence for their false claims is the expression "our forefathers," which appears in several verses. According to their erroneous interpretation, this expression refers directly to man's primitive ancestors. Their rationale for this is that the word "forefathers" appears in the plural in the Qur'an. Two of the verses in question read:

He (Moses) said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers, the previous peoples." (Surat ash- Shu'ara', 26)

There is no Allah but Him – He gives life and causes to die – your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers, the previous peoples. (Surat ad-Dukhan, 8)

However, this is a forced claim because the use of the word in the plural form is familiar and definitely cannot be used as a basis for an evolutionist interpretation in any way.

This expression occurs in many other verses, among them Surat al-Baqara, 133. Here, "forefathers" does not refer to any evolutionary process, but to preceding generations. In the same way, the term "forefathers, the previous peoples" in the past refers to past generations. The expression carries no evolutionary meaning:

Or were you present when death came to Ya'qub and he said to his sons, "What will you worship when I have gone?" They said, "We will worship your Allah, the God of your forefathers, Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac – one Allah. We are Muslims submitted to Him." (Surat al-Baqara, 133)