Salaam u alaikum I have read articles recently claiming that types of sugar have been found deep in space, and this along with some other findings are pointing toward other life forms out there. This is also seeming to feed to their idea of how creation came to be. How do we as Muslims view this, and how do we view the idea of alien life?
Alhamdu-li-llah wa as-Salatu wa as-Salamu ‘ala Rasool-il-llah,
I appreciate your keenness to learn the truth about this issue which keeps many people so intrigued.
Allah says in the Quran:
“…وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ”
” … and He creates things of which ye have no knowledge.” [Q 16:8]
This means that we can’t say He did not create any forms of life outside this planet.
We are sure that the Angels and to a lesser extent, the Jinn are not limited to this planet. We also know that the Jannah does exist now, and it is full of life.
As for other forms of creatures, we can’t be sure. There is a verse, however, that may indicate the presence of extraterrestrial animate life. Allah said:
“وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَثَّ فِيهِمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ جَمْعِهِمْ إِذَا يَشَاءُ قَدِيرٌ”
“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills.” [Q: Ash-Shura 42: 29)
Regarding those living/walking creatures in the heavens, most commentators would interpret them to be the Angels, some, the birds, while others, like al-Baidawy argue that those creatures are only on earth, and the language may accommodate this, as well as them being in both, as elaborated on by ash-Shawakni in "Fath al-Qadeer".
Some, however, said, they may be other forms of creation. Commenting on this verse, ar-Razi said in his tafseer:
" لا يبعد أن يقال إنه تعالى خلق في السموات أنواعًا من الحيوانات يمشون مشي الأناسي على الأرض."
"It would not be farfetched to say that Allah created in the heavens types of animate creatures that walk like humans walk on earth."
Ibn Katheer's commentary could be said to corroborate what ar-Razi explicitly stated here.
Despite that, we have no positive knowledge about the presence of other forms of material life in the universe. That is because basically, we were not explicitly told by Allah, and we did not witness the creation. Allah says:
"مَّا أَشْهَدتُّهُمْ خَلْقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَا خَلْقَ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ الْمُضِلِّينَ عَضُدًا"
"I called them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor (even) their own creation: nor is it for helpers such as Me to take as lead (men) astray!" [Q: Al-Kahf 18:52]
I must affirm, however, that there is ample indication in the Quran and the Sunnah on the scientific principle known as the Anthropic Principle, which means that man is the focal point of the creation, with all creations made to serve his existence on earth, which is in turn a focal point in the cosmological existence.
Allah says:
“أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً…”
“Do ye not see that Allah has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and on earth, and has made his bounties flow to you in exceeding measure, (both) seen and unseen?” [Q: Luqman 31:20]
The slightest disturbance in the chemical composition or physical structure of this universe would make human life impossible.
Finally, it is important for us to invest our lives in that which will bring about benefit for us in this life and/or the hereafter. The presence of a form of bacteria or fungus on Mars may not be a priority when humanity is suffering with challenges, such as securing renewable energy sources and feeding the billions of people who are under the line of poverty.
Allah knows best.