Short answer
Muslims believe Allah created Adam directly from clay as the first human, so the idea that humans descended from earlier species conflicts with the Quran. On the evolution of plants and animals, scholars differ: many reject it, while some say the Quran does not rule it out, as long as Allah is held to be the Creator of every stage.
Belief that Adam was created by Allah from clay, without parents, and is the father of all humans is required, because the Quran states it clearly. Science is not rejected as such: each theory is weighed against the definitive texts, and what contradicts them is not accepted.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
The Quran describes Adam's creation in detail. Allah told the angels He would create a human being out of clay from altered black mud, then proportion him and breathe into him of the soul He created (15:28-29). He created him "with My hands" (38:75), and the angels were told to prostrate to him. The creation of Isa without a father is compared to Adam, whom Allah created from dust and said "Be", and he was (3:59). The Prophet ﷺ said Allah created Adam sixty cubits tall.
For this reason the mainstream position of scholars, including the Hanafi and Deobandi institutions, is that humans did not descend from ape-like ancestors. Adam and Hawwa were created directly, and all humans come from them.
For plants and animals the texts say less. The Quran says Allah made every living thing from water (21:30) and does not explain how each species came about. Many scholars reject evolution in general, seeing it as tied to a godless worldview. Some Muslim scientists and scholars accept it for other species while making an exception for Adam. What all agree on is that nothing happens by blind chance: whatever the process, Allah created and directed it.
Islam does not ask Muslims to fear science. The Quran repeatedly tells people to reflect on creation. The task is to keep the line clear between observed facts and theories or worldviews, and never to set any of them above the clear words of Allah. Related reading: Prophet Adam, Dinosaurs in Islam and The universe in Islam.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Hijr 15:28-29
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى خَٰلِقٌۢ بَشَرًۭا مِّن صَلْصَٰلٍۢ مِّنْ حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ ﴿٢٨﴾ فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَٰجِدِينَ ﴿٢٩﴾
And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud. And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."
Describes Adam's direct creation from clay.
Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan 3:59
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَ ۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٍۢ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ﴿٥٩﴾
Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created Him from dust; then He said to him, "Be," and he was.
Adam was created from dust without parents.
Quran, Surah Saad 38:75
قَالَ يَٰٓإِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَىَّ ۖ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْعَالِينَ ﴿٧٥﴾
[Allah] said, "O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the haughty?"
Shows the special, direct creation of Adam.
Quran, Surah Al-Anbiyaa 21:30
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًۭا فَفَتَقْنَٰهُمَا ۖ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾
Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?
Living things come from water, without the Quran detailing how each species arose.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6227
Sahih... خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ عَلَى صُورَتِهِ طُولُهُ سِتُّونَ ذِرَاعًا ...
"Allah created Adam in his form, sixty cubits tall."
Adam was created complete as a human.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Muhammad Shafi), Commentary on the creation of Adam in Surah al-Baqarah. Explains the Quranic account of Adam's creation as the first human.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.