Last month, Shoaib Ahmed Malik, a chemical engineer turned theologian, joined the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity, becoming one of the few Muslim researchers in Europe or the United States specializing in the relationship between religion and science. One of his first assignments was to transfer a valuable collection of classical Islamic texts to his office. He hopes to use these resources to explore how faith can inform contemporary scientific questions. “ I see some interesting opportunities and lots of conversation points”Malik says of the intersection between science and Islam.
From science to theology: a journey of spiritual quest
Born and raised in Kuwait, Malik completed a doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Nottingham in 2014, before earning a second doctorate in theology at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, in 2023. His time at the science to theology sparked during his doctoral studies in chemistry. “My supervisor, an atheist, often asked me questions about Islam. I realized that I knew little about my own faith, and this inspired me to explore Islam in more depth. »
At the same time, Shoaib Ahmed Malik joined the Islamic society which was another source of personal transformation. His spiritual curiosity so absorbed him that during the second year of his doctorate, he confided that he had not opened a single chemical engineering textbook, preferring to devote himself entirely to the study of Islam.
Islam and evolution: an open dialogue
After completing a master’s degree in science and religion at the University of Edinburgh, Malik began to think about the big issues that drive discussions about science and religion in the Muslim world. The theory of evolution quickly established itself as a central subject. In his award-winning book Islam and Evolution: Al-Ghazālī and the Modern Evolutionary Paradigmpublished in 2021, it examines the relationship between Islam and Darwin’s theory of evolution. Although evolution has often been rejected in the Muslim world due to its association with atheism and its political and social implications, Malik approaches the subject from the perspective of the famous 11th-century Muslim scholar Al-Ghazālī. For Shoaib Ahmed Malik, Islam leaves room for more open interpretations of evolution.
To his surprise, the work was well received, although some critics, including an academic in Pakistan, called it “heretical.” “I offer several perspectives,” explains Malik. “Creationism is theologically valid, but I also show that it is possible to accept evolution. The idea is to establish a framework for dialogue so that people can debate it. I am not saying that we must accept evolution, but I am at least proposing a framework for discussion, which seems to me to be a great step forward. »
Islam and extraterrestrial life: a question of faith
Shoaib Ahmed Malik’s interest in the question of extraterrestrial life was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, he was sharing his ideas about evolution on Facebook when a user told him: “If it’s not in the Koran, I don’t believe in it. » Malik then asked him: “What about the aliens? » The latter replied: “Allah has not spoken of it. »
This conversation inspired Shoaib Ahmed Malik to organize a conference where researchers explored different Islamic perspectives on extraterrestrial life. Discussions have included questions such as the possibility of aliens being more intelligent or spiritually evolved than humans, or even morally responsible. According to a famous remark attributed to Winston Churchill, the discovery of extraterrestrial life could shake traditional religions by calling into question human uniqueness, a value dear to Abrahamic traditions.
For Shoaib Ahmed Malik, this question is crucial: “I worry that some people may lose their faith if they don’t see that there is a theological space for extraterrestrial life. » But for him, the answer remains simple: the Koran neither confirms nor refutes the existence of life on other planets, leaving the question open.
Advice for Muslim scientists
Asked what advice he would give to Muslim scientists, Shoaib Ahmed Malik, emphasizes the importance of theological training: “When I began my scientific career, I wish I had better theological training. A solid theological foundation would have made me a better scientist because it opens the mind to new perspectives. »
A look towards the future
Today, Shoaib Ahmed Malik continues to explore sensitive and fascinating areas within the University of Edinburgh, including the intersection between Islam and artificial intelligence. His vision of science and religion as areas of dialogue rather than opposition invites Muslims around the world to view science as an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of faith and creation.
In an ever-changing world, Shoaib Ahmed Malik, offers a unique perspective, advocating the idea that faith and reason can coexist and enrich each other. For the Muslim community, his work could well constitute a step towards a modern and inclusive approach to the big questions of science and theology.
