Islams and Laws of Heredity
Islam preceded the psychologists and the geneticists in referring to
manyeffectsandphenomenaofheredity,provingitspositiveroleinthe
individuals’ sound composition.
The Prophet (s) said, “The knave have been knave since they have
been intheir mothers’abdomens,andthe auspicioushavebeen auspi-
cious since they have been in their mothers’ abdomens.”
This prophetic saying indicates that the genetic elements give the
fetuseseitherfortune-when thefathers’ virtuousqualitiesandtenden-
ciesareavailable- orill fateincasetheirqualitiesandnatures areevil.
The contingent qualities are also genetically received. Providing the
story of Noah the prophet, the holy Quran refers to this matter. God
says:
AndNoahsaid:MyLord!Leavenotuponthislandanydwellerfrom
among the unbelievers. For surely if Thou
leavethemtheywillleadastrayThyservants,andwillnotbegetanybut
immoral ungrateful children.
ThisQuranictextindicatesthatthedisbelievers’offspring,whogenet-
icallyreceivetheirfathers’illqualities,willalsoinherittheirconvictions.
ItisreportedthatamanfromAnsar.complainedbeforetheProphet(s)
thathiswife-whowashiscousin-hadgivenbirthofablackbabywhile
none of their forefathers was black. “You have ninety nine arteries,”
answeredtheProphet(s),“Andshehasninetyninearteries.Whenthese
arteriescombine, theywillbe inastateof disorderandeach asksGod
the Exaltedtoassociatewith itslike.Thisis surelyyour son. Youmay
leavenow.Thisbabymusthavecomefromoneofheroryourarteries.”
The man took his wife’s hand and left.
Thispropheticnoticeimpliesthatsonscanreceivegeneticallyeventhe
mostminute andthe deepestqualities.Many Islamic rulingsare legis-
lated according to this fact.
First,Islamurgesonlookinguponthemostaccuratemannersofwo-
menbefore theyare takenin marriage. Accordingto Islamic rulings,a
greatattentionshouldbe paidto women’sfamilies andlineagesothat