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Quran and Baby Formation Zainul Abideen Quran and Baby Formation By Dr. Sharif Kaf Al-Ghazal http://www.islamicmedicine.org/embryoengtext.htm Edited by Dr. A.S. Hashim

In this slideshow Historical background The Sperm Al Alaqa (Leech-like clot) Al Mudgha (chewed-like lump of flesh) The Stage of bones The stage of muscles The stage of Nash’ah (developing) and viability The stage of labor Conclusion

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّنَ الْبَعْثِ فَإِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ مِن مُّضْغَةٍ مُّخَلَّقَةٍ وَغَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَنُقِرُّ فِي الْأَرْحَامِ مَا نَشَاء إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى (الحج 5) “O mankind! If ye have a doubt about the Recreation (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a chewed-like lump of flesh, formed and unformed, in order that We may manifest (Our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term.” (22: 5) .

Embryology in antiquity Zainul Abideen Embryology in antiquity Since Aristotle’s time: Creation of the embryo was regarded as: An embryo existing in man’s sperm in full or An embryo created out of the woman’s menstrual blood (coagulation). The majority believed that man was reduced into the sperm drop, They drew a figure of the embryo as a full creature in the sperm drop, Which then grew up in the womb as a small tree.

As imagined by Leonardo da Vinci Left: The dwarf embryo as imagined by  Leonardo da Vinci from the 15th century Right: The sperm as miniature human being by Hartsoeker from the 17th century (on the right)

إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الإِنسَانَ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا (الإنسان:2) Verily We created man from a fluid-drop (nutfa amshaj), in order to try him: so We gave him the gifts of hearing and eye-sight. (76:2). During the years 1888 and 1909 Boveri proved that chromosomes when divided carry the different genetic characteristics. Morgan, in 1912, was able to determine the role of genes, (existing in certain parts of chromosomes), in heredity.

The Sperm, the Ovum and fertilization Man’s fluid mainly contains:  the sperms which should be motile and gushing, as to cause fertilization and Prostaglandin which causes contractions to the uterus, thus helping the transport of sperms into the place of fertilization. Millions of these sperms (250 million) enter from the vagina through the uterine cervix, then Fallopian Tube Only one sperm is able to fertilize the ovum; crossing through a long distance to reach the place of fertilization in the Fallopian Tube (which connects the ovary with the uterus).

The fertilization Only very few sperms out of 250 million sperms emitted from the male can make it to the ovum. The sperm that will fertilize the ovum (egg) is the only one out of a thousand sperms that have managed to survive.

Fertilizing the Ovum: The Zygote Of hundreds of sperms, only one can fertilize the ovum. The zygote divides within hours of the process of fertilization. (a picture taken by the Microscope)

Fallopian Tube, Ovary, And Uterus

The chromosomes and sex determination The sperm contains 23 chromosomes, of which one chromosome determines the sex of the embryo. The chromosome in the sperm is either (Y) or (X), while the chromosome in the ovum is always (X). When a sperm of the chromosome type (Y) mingles with an ovum of the chromosome (X), the formed zygote will be male (XY), whereas the embryo will be female (XX) if the sperm (X) mingles with an (X) ovum. So, the sex of the embryo is determined by the sperm of the male, rather than the ovum of the female.

The Zygote: نُّطْفَةٍ After 5 hours of forming the zygote, (which is the primary human cell containing 46 chromosomes), the dominant and recessive genetic characteristics can appear in the parent's sons or grandsons (the stage of genetic programming) . The zygote is then divided quickly without a change in size and move from the Fallopian Tube (connecting the ovary and the uterus) towards the uterus, where it is implanted as seeds are implanted in the soil.

وَأَنَّهُ خَلَقَ الزَّوْجَيْنِ الذَّكَرَ وَالْأُنثَىِ وَأَنَّهُ خَلَقَ الزَّوْجَيْنِ الذَّكَرَ وَالْأُنثَىِ . من نُّطْفَةٍ إِذَا تُمْنَى النجم 45-46 That He created the pairs, male and female, from a fluid-drop sperm as it is emitted.” (53: 45-46), Confirming that man’s gender as male or female is determined when the sperm drop is emitted.

خَلَقَ الإِنسَانَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُّبِينٌ   (النحل : 4( He has created man from a sperm (fluid-drop) and behold this same (man) becomes an open disputer.” (16: 4). أَيَحْسَبُ الْإِنسَانُ أَن يُتْرَكَ سُدًى ، أَلَمْ يَكُ نُطْفَةً مِّن مَّنِيٍّ يُمْنَى 37 القيامة 36- Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled (without purpose)? Was he not once a fluid-drop of ejected semen? 75:36-37

Khalaka: خَلَقَ When the male and female secretions meet they may or may not form a zygote نُّطْفَةٍ . If a zygote is formed with 46 chromosomes, a new being will be produced. The process of formation of a single individual (by fusion of two secretions) has been aptly termed Khalaka خَلَقَ .

Taq’dir: تقدير The human creation begins with formation of a zygote but what are its characteristics, what it will inherit from father and what from mother? This process takes place a few hours after Khalaka phase. The Quran calls it Taq’dir phase and modern scientists call it genetic programming. The Taqdir in Arabic means planning, or programming. The Quran indicates that these processes occur in immediate succession and: we know that these processes are completed less than 30 hrs after fertilization. The process of sex determination takes place in this stage. “And He did create the two sexes, the male and the female from Nutfah نُّطْفَةٍ when emitted or planned” (surah An-Najam,53:Ayat45–46).

Looking as a clotted blood Closed network of blood vessels causing the embryo to look as a clotted blood.

The journey of the fertilized Ovum

فَجَعَلْنَاهُ فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ. إِلَى قَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ . إِلَى قَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ . فَقَدَرْنَا فَنِعْمَ الْقَادِرُونَ المرسلات :21-23 The which (embryo) We placed in a place of settlement, firmly fixed for a period of gestation, determined. For We do determine, for We are the best to determine (things). (77: 21-23).

 يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِن بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ ثَلَاثٍ (الزمر6 ) Allah creates you in the wombs of your mothers in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness.” (39:6),

The three veils of darkness may be referred to: 1 The three veils of darkness may be referred to: 1. Anterior abdominal wall, 2. the uterine wall and 3. Amnio-chorionic membrane

Al Alaqa (Leech-like structure) الْعَلَقَةَ The stage of Alaqa الْعَلَقَةَ starts on the 15th day and ends on the 23rd or 24th day, after which the embryo is gradually developed and looks like a leech, which lives in ponds. Alaqa hangs to the lining of the uterus by the umbilical cord. Blood is then formed in the vessels at the shape of closed islands, and is not circulated in blood vessels, thus having the image of clotted blood. Although it is in the nature of human body to expel any external matter, the uterus does not reject the alaqa implanted in its lining despite the fact that half of the alaqa components and genes are from an external source (the father). This is because the region of syncytial cells in alaqa have no antigens.

Alaqah الْعَلَقَةَ

Forming Tissues Stem cells form different body tissues

Dr. Moore explains: It is remarkable how much the embryo of 23-24 days resembles a leech (See next slide). As there were no microscopes or lenses available in the 7th century, doctors would not have known that the human embryo had this leech-like appearance. In the early part of the fourth week, the embryo is just visible to the unaided eye because it is smaller than a kernel of wheat.

Compare human embryo versus the leach llustration of embryo (at top) That looks like a leech (at bottom) embryo clinging to the lining of uterus through the umbilical cord.

A chewed lump فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً … فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً … "Then of that leech-like structure, We made a chewed lump." (Quran 23:14) The Arabic word "mudghah مُضْغَةً" means "chewed substance or chewed lump." Toward the end of the fourth week, the human embryo looks somewhat like a chewed lump of flesh. The chewed appearance results from the somites which resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings or primordia of the vertebrae

A chewed lump مُضْغَةً The embryo is transformed from the stage of alaqa to the beginning of the stage of mudgha on the 24th day to the 26th day, which is a very brief period if compared with the period of the nutfa changing to alaqa.

Compare embryo with the chewed gum Top, a drawing of a 28 day-old human embryo showing several bead-like somites The somites resemble the teeth marks in the model of chewed piece of gum.

Mudgha (a chewed lump) مُضْغَةً The stage of mudgha starts with the growth and increase of cells in a large number. The mudgha looks like a piece of meat with no distinguished structure, then after a few days, the second stage starts, called the stage of formation (takhaloq), where some organs begin to appear, such as the eyes, tongue and the lips , But human distinguishing features do not appear except at the end of the 8th week.  Limbs bulges (hands and legs) also appear in this stage. In the 5th week the heart starts beating and the embryo has already developed its placenta and amniotic sac. The placenta is burrowing into the uterine wall to access oxygen and nutrients from the mother's bloodstream.

( فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ) (المؤمنون: 14) then We made out of that mudgha: bones, and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create.” (23: 14) .

The Stage of bones During the 6th week, the cartilaginous skeleton starts to spread in the body. At the beginning of the 7th week, the shape of the embryo takes place. Transformation from the mudgha form to the beginning of the skeleton form occurs in a very short time (at the end of the 6th week and the beginning of the 7th week). This stage is characterized with the appearance of the skeleton (which gives the embryo the human image).

Further Development After 42 nights (6 weeks), the embryo begins to take the form of human image with: the appearance of cartilaginous skeleton, In the 7th week the human image gets clearer with the start of the spread of skeleton. This week represents the demarcation line between mudgha and human image (between 40 and 45 days). The external genitals begin to appear later (the 10th week).

Formation of Ears and Eyes Ears: Day 42 Eyes: Day 44

The stage of muscles (clothing with flesh) This stage is characterized with muscles encircling and tightly surrounding the bones. With the completion of clothing the bones with lahm (muscles and flesh), the human image starts to be more clear, as human parts are appropriately connected. After completion of myogenesis (muscle formation), the embryo can start to move.  

The stage of Nash’ah نشَأْهُ (developing) and viability By the end of the 8th week, a new stage starts where important processes occur.  The rate of developing accelerates compared with the previous one.  The embryo transforms into another creature, as the sizes of head, body and limbs start to be balanced and regular between the 9th and 12th week.  At the 10th week, external genital organs appear, and the skeleton develops structure from soft cartilaginous to hard calcified bones at the 12th week.  Limbs and fingers are distinguished at the same week.  The gender of the embryo is manifest with the clear appearance of genitalia.  

12th week The 12th week (around 84 days) the embryonic shape appears  with sizes of head, body and limbs well formed, and fingers distinguished.  (Nash’ah  ‘formation of another creature’ )

The 16th week The 16th week (112 days) : 13 cm tall embryo . eyebrows, eyelashes and fine hair appear. The fetus can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault. In this picture the unborn baby is sucking his thumb !

Nash’ah نشَأْهُ 16th weeks

ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

Keith L. Moore is Professor Emeritus, Dept Keith L. Moore is Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Univ. of Toronto. Distinguished embryologist and the author of several medical textbooks "It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Quran about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, or Allah, because most of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God, or Allah."

Professor Johnson is an author of over 200 publications Professor Johnson is an author of over 200 publications. Former President of the Teratology Society among other accomplishments "...in summary, the Quran describes not only the development of external form, but emphasizes also the internal stages, the stages inside the embryo, of its creation and development, emphasizing major events recognized by contemporary science." "As a scientist, I can only deal with things which I can specifically see. I can understand embryology and developmental biology. I can understand the words that are translated to me from the Quran. I see no evidence to refute the concept that this individual Muhammad had to be developing this information from some place... So I see nothing here in conflict with the concept that divine intervention was involved in what he was able to write..."

Gerald C. Goeringer Professor and Co-ordinator of Medical Embryology in the Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA. "...In a relatively few ayahs (Quranic verses) is contained a rather comprehensive description of human development from the time of commingling of the gametes through organogenesis. No such distinct and complete record of human development such as classification, terminology, and description existed previously. In most, if not all instances, This description antedates by many centuries the recording of the various stages of human embryonic and fetal development recorded in the traditional scientific literature."

Alfred Kroner: Professor of the Department of Geosciences, University of Mainz, Germany. If you combine all these and you combine all these statements that are being made in the Quran in terms that relate to the earth and the formation of the earth and science in general, You can basically say that statements made there in many ways are true, they can now be confirmed by scientific methods, and in a way, you can say that the Quran is a simple science text book for the simple man. And that many of the statements made in there at that time could not be proven, but that modern scientific methods are now in a position to prove what Muhammad said 1400 years ago."

Conclusion Holy Quran contains comprehensive description of human development; no such distinct and complete record (of human development), such as classification, terminology and description existed before. This knowledge came to us in an era when there was no microscope, no slides, no fixatives or any other gadgets and above all this description is narrated by a person who was illiterate! Who would reveal this information to him except the Creator Himself! In fact Allah verily says: “Soon we will show them our signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord does witness all things”.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّنَ الْبَعْثِ فَإِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ مِن مُّضْغَةٍ مُّخَلَّقَةٍ وَغَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَنُقِرُّ فِي الْأَرْحَامِ مَا نَشَاء إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى (الحج 5) “O mankind! If ye have a doubt about the Recreation (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a chewed-like lump of flesh, formed and unformed, in order that We may manifest (Our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term.” (22: 5) .

In Conclusion Embryology in the Quran by Dr. Keith Moore Zainul Abideen In Conclusion Embryology in the Quran by Dr. Keith Moore 1. In three veils of darkness فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ ثَلَاثٍ 2. A drop in a place of rest نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَكِينٍ 3. A leech-like structure ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً 4. A chewed lump فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً 5. The bones in flesh فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا 6. Another Creature ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ 7. Hearing, Sight, and Understanding 8. ..Partly formed and partly unformed مُخَلَّقَةٍ وَغَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ… 9. And to rest in the wombs for an appointed term

Finally, read Surah Al-Asr together Zainul Abideen Finally, read Surah Al-Asr together I swear by the time, وَالْعَصْرِ Lo! man is a state of loss, إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ Except those who believe and do good, and enjoin on each other truth, and enjoin on each other patience. إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

Zainul Abideen THANK YOU Be in Allah’s Care Dr. A.S. Hashim