Science & Faith Forum

منتدى العلم والإيمان

Exploring the intersection of scientific advancement and ontological discourse

FH

Dr. Firas Hamade

Presenter — Science & Faith Forum
First Roundtable Discussion

🔬 Science 🕌 Faith 💬 Dialogue

Is Evolution God's Plan for Creation?

First Roundtable Discussion — Bint Jebail Cultural Center, Dearborn, Michigan — January 2, 2026

  • Science is a method, not a worldview. It asks how, not why — and should not be treated as a competing belief system.
  • Evolution is well-supported science. Natural selection, genetics, fossils, and DNA all converge on a coherent story of biological diversity — but that story does not address purpose or meaning.
  • What science does NOT claim. It does not define meaning, deny God, or provide moral purpose. Confusing scientific explanation with philosophical conclusion is the root of most conflict.
  • The Theistic Perspective holds that creation is purposeful, God works through natural laws, and evolution is a tool of creation — not a threat to faith.
  • Scripture and meaning. Creation accounts can be read symbolically — focused on why we exist, not as a mechanistic description of how life developed.
  • The Naturalistic Perspective argues that nature explains itself and meaning is human-constructed — a coherent worldview, but a philosophical one, not a scientific conclusion.
  • The real tension: Science asks how. Faith asks why. Confusion between these two types of questions creates most of the apparent conflict.
  • Compatibility is possible. Science explains mechanisms; faith explores purpose. Both require intellectual humility.
  • Closing synthesis: "Evolution is creation in motion. The emergence of consciousness marks creation becoming aware of itself."
ID

Dr. Ibrahim Duhaini

Presenter — Science & Faith Forum
First Roundtable Discussion

PhD, MHM, FIOMP, FIUPESM, DIMPCB
Sr. Medical Physicist
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Flint, Michigan, USA

🧬 Evolution 📖 Qur'an ⚗️ Physics

Theistic Evolution Perspective

First Roundtable Discussion — Bint Jebail Cultural Center, Dearborn, Michigan — January 2, 2026

  • What is Theistic Evolution? God-guided evolution — God creates through natural laws including evolution. Accepting scientific evidence while maintaining faith in God as Creator (evolutionary creationism).
  • Core Beliefs: God is the primary cause of everything; evolution and natural processes are secondary causes under His guidance. Accepts scientific consensus on the age of Earth, Big Bang, and natural selection.
  • Harmonizing Science and Faith: The Earth is ~4.54 billion years old; the universe began ~13.8 billion years ago. Evolution is confirmed by fossil succession, comparative genetics, shared DNA, and directly observed speciation.
  • Qur'anic Support: "He created you in stages" (Nuh 71:14). "Travel through the earth and observe how creation began" (Al-Ankabut 29:20). The Qur'an invites observation of creation, not rejection of natural explanations.
  • Evolution as God's Tool: Speciation observed in Darwin's finches, fruit flies, and cichlid fish. Genomic evidence reveals a consistent evolutionary tree. "We made from water every living thing" (Al-Anbiya 21:30).
  • Human Uniqueness: Humans share biological ancestry with primates but are distinguished by advanced reasoning, symbolic language, moral agency, and self-awareness — and uniquely receive the soul: "He breathed into him from His Spirit" (Al-Sajdah 32:9).
  • Correcting a Common Misconception: Humans did not evolve from monkeys. Humans and primates share a common ancestor. Evolution is a branching tree, not a linear march.
  • Science explains HOW. Faith explains WHY. Islam answers purpose: "We did not create the heavens and earth without purpose" (Sad 38:27).
  • Closing Takeaway: "Creation has a system and a purpose. Science reveals the system. Faith reveals the purpose. Theistic Evolution unites them under One Creator."

Key Takeaways — First Roundtable

🔭

Science Has Limits

Science describes mechanisms — not meaning. It cannot tell us why we are here, only how we came to be.

📖

Faith Has Depth

The Qur'an and other scriptures address purpose, morality, and ultimate meaning — questions science is not equipped to answer.

🤝

Dialogue Is Possible

The perceived conflict between faith and science dissolves when we recognize they answer different kinds of questions.

🧬

Evolution Stands on Evidence

Fossils, genetics, observed speciation, and comparative anatomy confirm evolution as one of science's best-evidenced theories.

🌿

Theistic Evolution Is Coherent

God is the primary cause; evolution is a secondary natural mechanism under His guidance — held by mainstream theologians and scientists.

✨

Humans Are Uniquely Honored

Biological ancestry with primates does not diminish human dignity. God granted the soul, moral agency, and purpose.

📽 Presentation Media

Watch summary videos and download the full slide decks from the First Roundtable Discussion

FH

Dr. Firas Hamade

Is Evolution God's Plan for Creation?

🎬

Summary Video — With Captions

A ~1-minute captioned clip from the full 32-minute panel discussion on evolution, creation, and the dialogue between faith and science.

⬇ Download Video
📊

Full Slide Deck — PowerPoint

🧬Is Evolution God's Plan?
💬Why This Matters
🔬Science vs. Belief
❓What Science Doesn't Claim
✝️Theistic Perspective
📖Scripture & Meaning
🌌Naturalistic Perspective
⚖️Where Tension Lies
🤝Compatibility
🎓Education
✨Closing
🔚Thank You

Full slide deck covering theistic and naturalistic perspectives with a synthesis of faith and reason.

⬇ Download PowerPoint (.pptx)
ID

Dr. Ibrahim Duhaini

Theistic Evolution Perspective

🎬

Summary Video — With Captions

A ~2-minute captioned clip from Ibrahim Duhaini's 17-minute presentation on Theistic Evolution — Qur'anic support, scientific evidence, and the science-faith synthesis.

⬇ Download Video
📊

Full Slide Deck — PowerPoint

🌿Theistic Evolution
❓What is TE?
📋Core Beliefs
⚖️TE Overview
🔬Science Harmony
📖Qur'anic Proof
🧬God's Tool (Science)
🕌God's Tool (Qur'an)
👤Human Uniqueness
💫Soul & Qur'an
🔭HOW vs WHY
🌳Misconceptions
🌲Phylogenetic Tree
✅Conclusion
📝Summary 1
📝Summary 2
💡Takeaways
🙏Einstein Quote

19-slide deck with scientific evidence, Qur'anic proofs, phylogenetic tree analysis, and a theistic evolution synthesis — by Ibrahim Duhaini, PhD, Sr. Medical Physicist, Karmanos Cancer Institute.

⬇ Download PowerPoint (.pptx)

About the Forum

Our Mission

This forum seeks to explore the intricate relationship between scientific advancements and the philosophical discourse of ontology, particularly the tension and dialogue between faith and science.

As groundbreaking developments challenge traditional notions of existence, purpose, and creation, they also provide fertile ground for deeper reflection and integration.

Through open-minded discussions, we aim to navigate questions about the nature of being, reality, and the universe, considering perspectives that balance scientific inquiry with spiritual and ethical considerations.

Participants are encouraged to share insights, challenge assumptions, and foster mutual respect while delving into the profound intersection of science, faith, and ontology.

Discussion Topics

Evolution and Creation Theory

Exploring the dialogue between evolutionary science and traditional religious narratives about creation.

Big Bang Theory and Cosmology

Examining whether the Big Bang theory provides a natural explanation for the universe's origin.

Consciousness and Neuroscience

Investigating how advances in understanding consciousness relate to beliefs about the soul and afterlife.

Life Beyond Earth

Discussing the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life and its implications.

Quantum Mechanics and Determinism

Exploring probabilistic views of the universe and their implications for free will.

Life Extension and Mortality

Examining research on extending human lifespan through biotechnology.

Climate Change and Stewardship

Addressing scientific evidence for climate change and its ethical implications.

Multiverse Theory

Debating whether the multiverse hypothesis challenges traditional theological views.

Transhumanism

Examining the ethical implications of human enhancement through technology.

Events

⭐ UPCOMING EVENT

Second Roundtable Discussion

🌌 Topic: The Big Bang Theory — Does Science Explain Creation?

📅

Date

Friday, July 3, 2026

🕒

Time

7:00 PM

📍

Location

Bint Jebail Cultural Center

14201 Prospect St Bldg. 2

Dearborn, Michigan

✅ PAST EVENT

First Roundtable Discussion

🧬 Topic: Is Evolution God's Plan for Creation?

Presenters: Dr. Firas Hamade & Ibrahim Duhaini, PhD — Media & slides available above ↑

📅

Date

Friday, January 2, 2026

🕒

Time

6:00 PM

📍

Location

Bint Jebail Cultural Center

14201 Prospect St Bldg. 2, Dearborn, Michigan

Get Involved