Umair Ahmad Meer, Canada
The debate between the concepts of “nature” and “nurture” is currently ongoing. Nevertheless, the majority of scholars now recognise that both genetics and environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping an individual’s character.
What is nature and nurture?
What exactly is nature? Every living organism is born with a genetic blueprint encoded in its cells, known as DNA. This DNA contains all the information necessary for the organism’s development and functions. It determines physical characteristics and, to some extent, behavioural traits, for example, colour of the eyes, skin colour, inherited diseases, etc. Humans, like all other living beings, possess DNA.
The influence of the environment on our lives is called nurture. It also plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s character. One’s home environment fosters various habits and moral values.
Scholarly views on nature and nurture
In contemporary society, individuals frequently rationalise their actions by attributing them to fate or asserting they had no alternative because of their inherent nature. However, such perspectives conflict with current scientific understanding.
Fundamentally, DNA – the fundamental blueprint of life – serves as nature’s detailed plan for all living organisms. DNA is composed of numerous genes, each carrying specific information, such as eye colour and other traits. Certain habits, characteristics and predispositions to diseases are inherited through these genes. Consequently, an individual born with a defective gene – for example, one associated with diabetes – is more susceptible to developing that condition during their lifetime. Scholars have long debated the relative influence of nature versus nurture.
Researchers have also conducted extensive experiments involving both humans and animals to explore this ongoing discourse. In 1995, German scientists made an odd observation about crayfish.
As each clone shared the same genetic blueprint, the scientists set up an experiment for the ultimate test. Hundreds of these little identical creatures were placed in the same environment: the same water, temperature and amount of food. Even though the scientists tried to control all these variables, the unthinkable happened. Some crayfish stayed tiny; others grew big. Some died, others lived on and on. And while some became social, others enjoyed solitude.
This shifts our focus to epigenetics, a branch of science that examines how environmental factors influence DNA expression. Genes can be turned on or off depending on external conditions, a process known as epigenetic regulation. For instance, a pregnant woman’s diet can impact her unborn child’s gene expression, determining which genes are activated or suppressed.
Furthermore, our lifestyle choices – including diet and physical activity – can modulate how genes affect our lives. The same principle applies to all living beings; despite sharing identical DNA, external factors can alter gene expression.
Similar experiments have been conducted with human subjects. These studies involved identical twins (who share identical DNA) and fraternal twins (who share approximately 50% of their DNA). The findings from these experiments further demonstrated that genetics alone cannot determine an individual’s nature; both innate biological factors and environmental influences play crucial roles in human development.
Dr Nancy L Segal, a leading researcher in twin studies, discusses a remarkable case in her book Accidental Brothers. She describes two identical twins from Colombia who were accidentally separated at birth and mistakenly believed to be fraternal twins. They were raised in entirely different environments – one in the city and the other in a rural village. Upon reaching adulthood, they discovered they were, in fact, identical twins who had been inadvertently separated.
This case illustrates that both genetics and environment play significant roles in shaping us. It challenges the classic nature versus nurture debate, emphasising instead that nature and nurture together influence who we are.
The Islamic view
Islamic teachings recognise that both inherent nature and environmental influences shape our existence. In essence, both destiny and individual agency are vital in determining the course of our lives.
فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“[And follow] the nature made by Allah – the nature in which He has created mankind. There is no altering the creation of Allah. That is the right religion. But most men know not.” (Surah ar-Rum, Ch.30: V.31)
In this verse, Allah explicitly affirms that every individual is endowed with a conscience, enabling them to discern good from evil. However, due to inadequate upbringing, this innate predisposition is often suppressed, rendering it difficult to distinguish between right and wrong.
Moreover, in another verse, Allah elaborates it further by saying:
بَلِ الْإِنْسَانُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ وَلَوْ أَلْقَى مَعَاذِيرَهُ
“Nay, man is a witness against himself; even though he puts forward his excuses.” (Surah al-Qiyamah, Ch.75: V.15-16)
Every individual deep within recognises that, at the moment of committing a wrongful act, such behaviour is inherently unjustifiable.
In another verse, we read:
فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا
“And He revealed to it what is wrong for it and what is right for it.” (Surah ash-Shams, Ch.91: V.9)
This verse also affirms that each individual is inherently aware of what is morally right and what is morally wrong.
Allah states in yet another verse:
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى شَهِدْنَا أَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَذَا غَافِلِينَ
“And when thy Lord brings forth from Adam’s children – out of their loins – their offspring and makes them witnesses against their own selves [by saying]: ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They say, ‘Yea, we do bear witness.’ [This He does] lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘We were surely unaware of this.’” (Surah al-A’raf, Ch.7: V.173)
The Holy Prophetsa also said: “The mother of every person gives him birth according to his true nature. It is subsequently his parents who make him a Jew, a Christian or a Magian. Had his parents been Muslim, he would also have remained a Muslim. Every person to whom his mother gives birth [has two aspects of his life]; when his mother gives birth, Satan strikes him, but it was not the case with Mary and her son [Jesus Christ].” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 6429)
This hadith emphasises the significance of nurturing, stating that every individual is born with an intrinsic true nature. However, over time, the process of nurturing influences and shapes that individual, ultimately determining whether they develop into a good or a bad person.
Furthermore, Islamic teachings are rich in guidance that directs an individual’s development from before birth through to the end of life.
In summary, both nature and nurture significantly influence an individual’s characteristics. While genetics sets certain predispositions, environmental factors and personal experiences also play a crucial role in shaping who we are. It’s important to recognise that life isn’t entirely predetermined; we do have choices.
We can decide what’s beneficial for our health and well-being and what’s detrimental. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with us to make the right decisions, and the power to steer our lives in a positive direction rests in our hands.