Reason #12: The only difference between humans and animals is the opposable thumb?

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While growing up in high school or watching TV shows, we may have been taught that the only difference between humans and animals is the opposable thumb. You don’t have to be an expert to ask, “Really?” As Kamal El Mekki, a Muslim speaker, once said, “So you’re telling me that the only difference between a man and a zebra is this (showing his thumb)?”

If one were to sit down and make a list of differences, he or she may give up, saying, “Well, some animals can do this too.” However, that is also where there is a lack of true understanding on the matter. Yes, the statement has some truth, but the fact is that animals don’t have even a fraction of the depth we have for each quality. Here’s a small list:

  1. self-control
  2. level of thought processes
  3. intelligence
  4. organization and planning
  5. beauty of speech, with all the variety and nuances of languages
  6. contemplation

When you look at the depth we have for each, is there really a comparison? Is there any animal that can ponder, have self-control, AND plan like us? To be frank, biologists and evolutionists who don’t believe in God don’t have an answer for this. You may have also heard that humans share 50-60% of its DNA with bananas, 85% with mice, or about 60% with fruit-flies. And then of course, one is always told to look at the physical similarities with primates! Yet, putting all these together, one has to ask – does sharing DNA or having similar looks mean we are to be related?

Now where is this leading to? Clearly we are very different from every other creature. No, it does not mean that Islam rejects the theory of evolution. There is a lot in the theory that makes sense and has evidence (even though science is ever-changing with new discoveries). Perhaps, yes, all animals and living organisms are related. But perhaps all are except human beings! And that’s what Islam says – that God created Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) by Himself and then placed him on Earth. When you look at all this from the Islamic paradigm, taking into account the differences mentioned, doesn’t it make sense?

Reason #11: The sun eclipsed on the day the Prophet’s son died

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One of the most emotional and unique days of Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) life was the day his son Ibrahim died. Unique because that very day, the sun also eclipsed!

As Al-Mughirah ibn Shubah  رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, one of his companions, narrated:

“The sun eclipsed in the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle on the day when Ibrahim died. So the people said that the sun had eclipsed because of the death of Ibrahim. Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life (i.e. birth) of someone. When you see the eclipse, pray and invoke Allah.’”

[Sahih Bukhari]

If you are an imposter acting as a person sent by God, that would have been the PERFECT moment to make up lies and take advantage of people. That day you can say, “Look, my son died and God has made it eclipse as a sign of my greatness!” Surely after that, many of those who still did not believe in Prophet Muhammad, would have been convinced. 

Staying silent would have sufficed as well. After all, it was a very difficult day. Yet, what did Prophet Muhammad do? As mentioned in the Hadith, he got out of his way to tell the people the truth and what to do instead. Why, though? Well, Prophet Muhammad was known for his high standard of character. He knows that he might have to answer to God for not clarifying to his people. Thus, despite grieving, he spoke up.

Thus, one has to ask him or herself – would an imposter have handled a day like that?