ABSTRACT
Using al-Ghazālī's hermeneutic framework, this chapter will evaluate some of the ways people have used scripture to argue for and against human evolution. As we shall see, some of the arguments against human evolution aren't robust. The no exceptions camp also faces many problems because they violate at least one of the principles in al-Ghazālī's framework. Fundamental to this entire discussion is the verse of similitude between Jesus and Adam in the Qur’ān (3:59), which make them theologically non-binding in al-Ghazālī's hermeneutic framework. However, even if these ḥadīths are accepted, none of them impact the discussion for creationism, human exceptionalism, and Adamic exceptionalism. It is only the no exceptions camp that may find some of them to be problematic. In light of these considerations, it is concluded that al-Ghazālī's hermeneutic perspective is compatible with creationism, human exceptionalism, and Adamic exceptionalism, but not with the no exceptions stance. Thus, the closest alignment one can get between Islam and evolution within al-Ghazālī's framework would be Adamic exceptionalism.
