It is stated that when the WRN gene fails to work, humans get older and die before 50. Is the WRN gene solely responsible for aging? Is it possible to stop aging completely by renewing the WRN gene?

It is stated that when the WRN gene fails to work, humans get older and die before 50. Is the WRN gene solely responsible for aging? Is it possible to stop aging completely by renewing the WRN gene?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Allah has appointed a definite life for every human being. It is so definite that even the number of breathings of every human is determined. In the Qur’an, it is stated that the determined duration of life is neither delayed nor hastened:

No people can hasten on their doom nor can they postpone (it) (Al Hijr, 5).

It is impossible to escape from death:

Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high! (An-Nisa, 78).

Thus, lessening or increasing the duration of life is out of question. The length of this duration is unknown for us.

However, in a hadith, it is mentioned that sadaqa lengthens life. Here the lengthening of life is interpreted as gaining much more thawab (reward) for the hereafter within the same life duration. Thus, it is emphasized, in the Qur’an that, the night of power (Qadrr) enables a person to gain more thawab than a total of one thousand months. (See Surah al-Qadr)

It will be understood by scientific works whether the WRN gene is the sole reason for aging and constant renewing of it can stop aging or not.

Allah has connected everything to a cause. If aging is connected to the WRN gene and changing it is possible then aging can be delayed or to a certain extent or completely be stopped.

However, the issue is not related with the aging of the cell only. The number of some cells is decreasing. As it is known, every cell has a certain duration of life and this is generally two years. After a certain age, the number of some cells decreases and the dead cells cannot be replaced.

Especially the decrease in the bone cells is expressed as bone loss. Bone loss generates a set of deformities in the organism and this causes pain and sufferings.

On the other hand, aging does not mean crumpling of cells by losing water.
During old age, the most important thing is weakness, which is caused by memory loss and some kind of illnesses. In the Qur’an, attention is drawn to the fact that the people who are granted long life will be reversed in nature, that is, they will fail to understand some events or things. (Ya Seen, 68).

The reason of uncertainty caused by such and similar researches about creation and creator is because of not knowing the subject of Qadar (fate).

For example, suppose that it has been proved that the WRN gene stops aging. In such a condition, the usual evaluation is as follows:

Allah has determined a fate according to the usual aging of cells. However, a new condition has come out as a result of investigation hence interference in cells. This new condition did not exist in Qadar (fate). Now how can we explain this?     
Here the mistaken point is that man looks at the actions of God in the universe from the point of himself, that is, comparing God’s knowledge with his knowledge. There is no past and future for God. Including Hell and Paradise, everything in the past and future exist in His knowledge at once and in His sight.

Allah has already determined the lives and lifetimes of humans if the gene of aging is to be found and measures are taken.

Nothing is outside of His knowledge, will and Qudrah (power).

Prof. Dr. Adem Tatlı

Questions on Islam