Eugenicists were either driven by ignorance or obstinacy in their futile quest to establish a genetically superior class

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated:

The greatest evils of knowledge and its inconsistencies occur as a result of acquainting oneself with the creation without its Creator, acquaintance with effects without the One who created those effects, acquaintance with causes without the One who created those causes, and acquaintance with the paths without its sound goals. The deficiency in this type of acquaintance is numerous and its harm is great, because indeed many atheists and those deceived by them are skilled in the natural sciences, but they confine themselves to it and are blind regarding its association with its Creator and Causer. And with regards to that which is placed in these natural sciences of wonders and secrets, they see themselves as those who know the wonders of the natural sciences – which none knows besides them – and the secrets which Allāh has placed in nature, so it gives them higher status over others and thus they become afflicted with vanity and self-deception. They confine themselves to it, consider it as the final outcome, the purpose, and the goal, and thus occurs great deviation, deficiency in knowledge and intellect. If they knew and affirmed belief in the true Creator and the One Who Controls all the affairs of the Universe- the One who attached the means and causes to His Qadaa Wal Qadr [Footnote a], know that the means and causes are an abode of His Perfect Wisdom – for indeed Allāh [The Most High] is All-Wise, He placed things in their rightful places, gave the subtle affairs and big affairs an amazing orderly system and a firm association; gave everything that is sought after and the goals a means or cause, and a path that will lead to it, and due to this results and outcomes are based on the strength or weakness of the means or causes, and the strength or weakness of the performer of the deed- and then they bound these means, paths and outcomes to Allāh’s Qadaa Wal Qadr, their knowledge would have been perfected and they would have acquired of certainty that which cannot be acquired by those who have not reached their level; but they are glad (and proud) with that which they know of those paths whose tangible worldly outcomes they know and became haughty by way of them, so the statement of Allāh [The Most High] apply to them: [فلما جاءتهم رسلهم بالبينات فرحوا بما عندهم من العلم وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون – Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 83]

Allāh says:

وجعلنا لهم سمعا وأبصارا وأفئدة فما أغنى عنهم سمعهم ولا أبصارهم ولا أفئدتهم من شيء إذ كانوا يجحدون بآيات الله وحاق بهم ما كانوا به يستهزئون

And indeed We had firmly established them with that wherewith We have not established you! And We had assigned them the (faculties of) hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts, but their hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and their hearts availed them nothing since they used to deny the Ayat (Allah’s Prophets and their Prophethood, proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, and they were completely encircled by that which they used to mock at! [Surah Al-Ahqaaf. Ayah 26]

This is the greatest evil consequence of self-amazement and arrogance without exception, and the most perilous path through which many people become beguiled and deceived; therefore we ask Allāh to blessed us with sound knowledge that is supported by sound intellect, divine text and sound natural disposition – the beneficial knowledge which the servant knows in all its aspects, and the knowledge which links the subsidiary affairs to its (sound) fundamental principles, and its means, causes, effects and outcomes are ascribed to the One Who originated and created them. It is the knowledge whose possessor does not disassociate the creation from its Creator- neither disassociates its effects from the One Who made them effective, nor disassociates the wisdom, the secrets and the amazing orderly systems in the creation from the One Who Created and Perfected them, organised them in perfect order and brought them into existence prior to their non-existence. This is the knowledge that bears the fruits of certainty and through which tranquillity is obtained, and through which happiness and success is attained. It bears the fruits of beautiful manners and righteous deeds, beneficial to the religious and worldly affairs. [1]

Indeed, every fabricated belief system attracts its group of devoted followers, radicals, and tyrants. It is not unexpected that even those who claim to be enlightened overseers or experts in various fields can engage in criminal behaviour and disruptive actions. A significant number of us, having been educated in primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities, are familiar with Charles Darwin’s “Savages and Favoured Races,” which undoubtedly serves as a foundation for racial prejudice. Similarly, the path that was chosen by the arrogant and opinionated eugenicists led to an increase in oppression and crimes committed against the weak and vulnerable in society. Population eugenics involved urging individuals to procreate to produce desired traits, but the true believers in Allah and His Messengers have always distanced themselves from the hidden motives and ideas of those whose approach to sexual reproduction is solely aimed at advancing their materialistic or racist agendas – whether it is to create future workers for the communists or capitalists or to prevent other members of society from having children in the name of racial hygiene or to discourage them from doing so out of fear of poverty.

The notoriety of the haughty and opinionated eugenicists is well-known and they were those individuals who pursued a futile endeavour to establish a genetically superior class and advocated for the reproduction of solely flawless individuals, thereby marginalising anyone with even the most minor disability. The concept of “Positive eugenics” focused on promoting reproduction among individuals deemed to have so-called “good stock,” while “Negative eugenics” aimed to discourage or prevent reproduction among those considered unfit, such as the poor, criminals, or the feeble-minded. Indeed, it is undeniable that one of the factors that contributed to this inclination was either their lack of awareness regarding the well-balanced approach elucidated in the final revelation or their persistent defiance of it. So, we conclude by citing the insightful words of Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him], who emphasised the importance of achieving this balanced in all aspects of life.

He stated:

Akhlaaq [or moral character] is bounded by limits. Transgression takes place when these limits are exceeded, while deficiency and humiliation arise when one falls short.

The commendable aspects of anger lie within its boundaries of bravery and a distaste for despicable and inadequate behaviour. These boundaries represent the pinnacle of anger’s expression. However, when one surpasses these limits, they cross into transgression and oppression. Conversely, if their anger is lacking, they will exhibit cowardice and fail to abhor despicable behaviour. The scope of eagerness lies in acquiring what is necessary for one’s worldly pursuits and employing suitable means to attain them. Insufficient eagerness leads to humiliation and wastage of valuable time or opportunities while exceeding its limits breeds intense greed and unworthy desires. The boundaries of envy lie within the realm of praiseworthy competition, where individuals strive for perfection and aim to surpass another competitor. However, once these limits are exceeded, envy transforms into jealousy characterised by animosity and oppression. In such instances, the envious person desires the deprivation of blessings for the one envied and is eager to cause harm. Conversely, if one lacks (what is required of jealousy), it leads to a diminished sense of worth and a weakened drive to achieve. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “There should be no envy except in two (people); a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he judges by way of it and teaches it to the others”. This form of envy (requires commendable) competition among individuals, and the Haasid (the one who is envious of their competitor) strives to resemble the person they envy, without (harbouring) the detestable envy (which makes one) wish that the blessings bestowed upon the envied individual should cease.

The boundaries of desires provide a means of relaxation for the heart and intellect after exerting oneself in acts of obedience and striving to accomplish virtuous deeds. However, when one exceeds these limits, it gives rise to intense and barely controllable emotions, as well as lewdness, ultimately causing the person to descend to the level of animals. On the other hand, lacking desire and not utilising it as a means to pursue perfection and virtue leads to weakness, impotence, and humiliation. The boundaries of relaxation lie in its ability to replenish one’s energy and enhance their mental capacity, thereby enabling one to carry out acts of obedience and accomplish virtuous deeds. This safeguards against the detrimental effects of exertion and exhaustion. However, when an individual exceeds these limits, it leads to a lack of enthusiasm, laziness, wastage of time and opportunities, and many beneficial endevours are missed. Conversely, insufficient relaxation hampers one’s strength and may even result in debilitation.

The boundaries of generosity are marked by two extremes, where surpassing these limits results in extravagance and wastefulness. Conversely, a deficiency in generosity leads to avarice and a reluctance to give freely. The boundaries of courage lie in the fact that exceeding them results in recklessness while lacking courage leads to cowardice and weakness. Its limit is to act when necessary and abstain when it is not. Jealousy has its limitations, as crossing them leads to false accusations and (unjustified) evil suspicions against blameless individuals. Conversely, the absence of jealousy leads to heedlessness and a lack of regard for one’s honour. When humility is exceeded, it gives way to indignity and humiliation, whereas the absence of humility gives rise to pride and boasting. There are limits to honour, and if someone exceeds those limits, it will inevitably result in pride. On the other hand, when someone lacks honour, it leads to humiliation and a loss of dignity.

Justice provides a precise balance to these affairs and requires that a person follow the path set by Islamic legislation – the path is free from both exaggeration and negligence. The foundation of all beneficial matters, whether in this worldly life or the hereafter, rests upon this; rather, physical well-being can only be achieved by adhering to it, for any disruption in the proper balance of the human body’s elements – whether due to excessive indulgence or negligence – leads to a deterioration in its health and strength, proportionate to the extent of this (imbalance). Similarly, engaging in natural activities such as sleep, staying up late at night, eating, drinking, sexual intercourse, movement, recreation, seclusion, and socialising, in a moderate manner – without excess or deficiency – is considered to be upright, appropriate, and balanced; however, when an individual veer towards either extreme, it is deemed to be a deficiency and will yield deficient outcomes. One of the noblest and most beneficial sciences is the knowledge of the boundaries (within which affairs are confined), particularly the divine limits – the commands and prohibitions (outlined in the Qur’an and Sunnah). Those who possess more understanding of these divine limits are the most learned individuals, so they neither include anything outside of these limits nor exclude anything that falls within them. Allah [The Exalted] says:

ٱلۡأَعۡرَابُ أَشَدُّ ڪُفۡرً۬ا وَنِفَاقً۬ا وَأَجۡدَرُ أَلَّا يَعۡلَمُواْ حُدُودَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ

The bedouins are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to be in ignorance of the limits (Allah’s Commandments and His Legal Laws, etc.) which Allah has revealed to His Messenger]. [Surah At-Tawbah. Ayah 97]

Thus, the individuals who remain within the confines of the moral values and actions outlined in the Islamic legislation, both in their understanding and implementation, are the most just, balanced, and upright. [2]

Footnote a: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKgIjOKSNQQ

To be continued…InShaaAllah

[1] An Excerpt from Ad-Dalaa’il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi’ah Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deen Al-Islaamiy. pages 37-40]

[2] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id page 207- 209. Slightly paraphrased