AYAT IN MAN’S PROCREATION, STRUCTURE AND EXISTENCE

A

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِتَسۡكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبۡصِرًاۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَسۡمَعُونَ ٦٧ [يونس:67-67]

He it is Who has appointed for you the night that you may rest therein, and the day to make things visible (to you). Verily, in this are Ayat for a people who listen (i.e. those who think deeply).

Surah 10 Yunus Verse 67

• The alternation of day and night is the outcome of an absolutely precise and well-regulated movement of the earth around the sun. This is an incontrovertible sign of the existence of an All-Encompassing Controller; of an All-Powerful Lord Whose dominion embraces the whole universe. This alternation of day and night is also indicative of the infinite wisdom and purposiveness of the Creator since a lot of creatures of the earth depend upon it. This alternation is also indicative of the Providence, Mercy and Lordship of the Creator since it is evident that He Who has created all beings on earth has also made arrangements to cater to all their requirements. Also, it clearly reveals that anything which is subject to the system of alternation is a servant and not the Lord. Thus, Allah alone deserves to be served and worshipped.

وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنۡ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٞ تَنتَشِرُونَ ٢٠ [الروم:20-20]

And among His signs is that He created you from dust, and then – behold, you are human beings scattered.

Surah 30 Ar-Rum Verse 20

• Man is constituted of some lifeless elements such as traces of carbon, calcium and sodium. Yet that which has been produced from these elements is the wonderful being called man who is possessed of astonishing feeling, emotions, intellect and imagination. Now, none of these traits can be traced to the elements of which he is composed. It is obvious that the creation of man was not coincidental for he was endowed with reproductive power thanks to which billions upon billions of human beings have come into existence. These human beings essentially possess the same structure and endowments and myriad hereditary and individual characteristics. Does it stand to reason that this wonderful feat of creation was accomplished without the creative will of an All-Wise Creator?

وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنۡ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنۡ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَزۡوَٰجٗا لِّتَسۡكُنُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيۡنَكُم مَّوَدَّةٗ وَرَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٢١ [الروم:21-21]

And among His signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people who reflect.

Surah 30 Ar-Rum Verse 21

• In His immaculate wisdom, Allah divided mankind into two sexes. Members of both these sexes are identical in their humanity. The basic formula of their physical constitution is the same. And yet the two differ widely in certain aspects of their physical configuration, their mental and psychological characteristics, and their emotional and psychic urges. At the same time, they complement each other, each serving as the others’ couple. There is an astounding degree of complementarities between the two sexes in so far as the physical make up, emotional characteristics and the urges of each complete those of the other.
• From the very beginning, Allah in His Infinite Wisdom has been creating the two in such proportion that each balance out the other. It has never happened – in no age and at no place – that only male or female children have been born. Also, everyone would agree that this phenomenon has nothing to do with any planning or effort on man’s part. Nor does man have the power to regulate the proportion of male and female births ensuring thereby a degree of balance between the two. The birth of billions upon billions of men and women over the ages indicates that all this is thanks to the Will of an All-Wise Creator, and of only One Creator. It is He Who in His immense Wisdom and Power initially created and exceedingly appropriate design of the male and the female and then ensured that innumerable males and innumerable females are brought into existence according to the same design with their respective characteristics, and roughly in a given proportion.
• ‘…affection and mercy’ – The arrangement we see around is that men and women, thanks to their natural instinct, are attracted to one another and when a relationship is established it provides peace and contentment to both. The word mawaddah (affection) used in the verse denotes sexual love, which is the primary factor that makes a male and a female gravitate towards one another and keeps them bonded together. As for the word rahmah (mercy), it refers to that spiritual relationship which gradually develops among them in the course of their matrimonial life. Affection and mercy are thus two positive factors which the Creator has ingrained in men and women in order to counter that inherent discontent in them which prompts them to go for its dissolution. Although each of the two might have been brought up in a totally different milieu, they become immensely close to each other and spend their lives in intimacy. This affection and mercy, which have been experienced by millions of human beings in their lives, are not material objects that can be subjected to weight and measure. Nor can their sources be traced to any of the chemical constituents of which the human body is composed, nor can any laboratory determine how love and compassion came into existence and grow. The only explanation for their existence and growth is that they were judiciously instilled in human nature by the All-Wise Allah for some specific purpose.

وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ خَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَٰفُ أَلۡسِنَتِكُمۡ وَأَلۡوَٰنِكُمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّلۡعَٰلِمِينَ ٢٢ [الروم:22-22]

And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.

Surah 30 Ar-Rum Verse 22

• ‘…creation of the heavens and the earth’ – The heavens and the earth were created ex nihilo and were made to function according to an inexorable scheme in which innumerable forces are operating in a state of utter mutual harmony and equilibrium. In the first place, one ought to reflect on what the source of primary energy was that assumed the form of matter, and how matter split into a multiplicity of elements. Moreover, these elements were made parts of a system that is characterized by amazing balance and equilibrium, giving rise to an awe-inspiring cosmic order that has been in operation for billions of years. If one considers all this without intellectual bias, one is bound to conclude that this wondrous order could never be the product of mere chance or accident nor could all this have been possible had there been a multiplicity of gods.
• ‘…difference of your languages and colours’ – Although all human beings have been endowed with the same organs of speech, there being no difference in the structure of their tongues or brains, they speak different languages in different parts of the world. Not only this, even speakers of the same language have different dialects which vary from town to town and region to region. Furthermore, each person has a distinct accent and pronunciation and a mannerism of speech that is markedly different from others. In like manner, even though all human beings were created from identical semen and according to an identical formula of creation, they all differ widely in their complexion. Even off springs of same parents carry different hues, let alone the fact that different communities are characterized by a variety of complexions. It is thus fairly clear that the different objects of this world could not have been produced by automatic machines geared to mass manufacturing of identical products. On the contrary, the world clearly indicates the role of the All-Powerful Maker and Designer Who pays attention to each and every product, investing each with a unique design and distinctive features, proportion and traits. Anyone who carefully observes the phenomenon of creation can never succumb to the delusion that the Creator, having brought the present cosmic order into being, has withdrawn himself from His Over lordship and into His sleeping chamber. On the contrary, He is bound to conclude that the Creator is ever engaged in His creative task, paying attention to each and every piece of His creation.

وَمِنۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱبۡتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَسۡمَعُونَ ٢٣ [الروم:23-23]

And among His signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for people who listen.

Surah 30 Ar-Rum Verse 23

• ‘…sleep’ – Before the 1950s most people believed sleep was a passive activity during which the body and brain were dormant. ‘But it turns out that sleep is a period during which the brain is engaged in a number of activities necessary to life – which are closely linked to quality of life’, says John Hopkins, sleep expert, and neurologist Mark Wu. Sleep serves to re-energize the body’s cell, clear waste from the brain, and support learning and memory. It even plays vital roles in regulating mood, appetite and libido. Throughout your time asleep, your brain will cycle repeatedly through two different types of sleep: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and Non-REM (or SWS – Slow Wave Sleep).

The first part of the cycle is SWS sleep, which is composed of 4 stages:

1. The first stage comes between being awake and falling asleep
2. The second stage is light sleep, when heart rate and breathing regulate and body temperature drops
3. & 4. The third and fourth stages are deep sleep.

Though REM sleep was previously believed to be the most important sleep phase for learning and memory, newer data suggests that non-REM sleep (SWS) is important for these tasks, as well as being the more restful and restorative phase of sleep.

As you cycle into REM sleep, the eyes move rapidly behind closed lids, and brain waves are similar to those during wakefulness. Breathe rate increases and the body becomes temporarily paralyzed. The purpose of REM sleep remains a biological mystery, despite the growing understanding of its biochemistry and neurobiology.

The cycle then repeats itself, but with each cycle you spend less time in the deeper stages three and four of sleep and more time in REM sleep. On a typical night you’ll cycle through four or five times. According to Wu, there are two main processes that regulate sleep: Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Drive.

• Circadian rhythms are controlled by a biological clock located in the brain. One key function of this clock is responding to light cues, ramping up production of the hormone melatonin at night, and then switching it off when it senses light.
• Sleep drive: Your body craves for sleep, much like it hungers for food. Throughout the day, your desire for sleep builds, and when it reaches a certain point, you need to sleep. When you are exhausted, your body is even able to engage in micro sleep episodes of one or two seconds while your eyes are open

The purpose and wisdom underlying sleep are unmistakable. The phenomenon of sleep also indicates that He Who has ingrained it into the human body had done it with a well devised thought out scheme.

أَوَ لَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٣٧ [الروم:37-37]

Do they not see that Allah enlarges the provisions for whom He wills and straitens (it for whom He wills)? Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who believe.

Surah 30 Ar-Rum Verse 37

• It is true that the world is the world of means and those who strive more usually obtain a better portion of provisions and those who are lazy and do not work hard have a smaller share; but in the meantime, this is not a general and permanent principle. It happens that sometimes some very earnest, studious and eligible persons do their best but they gain nothing and, on the contrary, there are some maladroit ones whom the doors of provision are open from every side. The exceptions may be for the sake that Allah shows that with all effects that He has created in the world of means, they should not be lost in the world of means, and they should not forget that behind this system there is another strong hand that turns it. Sometimes Allah makes it so straitened that the more he strives the less he gets, because all doors are shut to him, and sometimes He makes it so easy that before reaching the door, the door may be opened in front of him. Some of the Islamic commentators have stated that once a knowledgeable man was asked: ‘What is the proof that there is only one creator for the world?’ Then he answered: ‘For three proofs: that the clever persons are (usually) backward, the artist and learned men are often poor, and the physicians are (sometimes) sick’. A famous tradition narrated from Hadrat Ali indicates that he said: ‘Icame to know Allah, the Glorified, through the breaking of determinations, change of intentions, and losing of courage’.
• A similar reference can also be found in V 30:23 ‘And among His signs is…your seeking of His bounty’

ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلۡأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوۡتِهَا وَٱلَّتِي لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِي مَنَامِهَاۖ فَيُمۡسِكُ ٱلَّتِي قَضَىٰ عَلَيۡهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَيُرۡسِلُ ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٖ مُّسَمًّىۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ٤٢ [الزمر:42-42]

It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.

Surah 39 Az-Zumar Verse 42

• To take away the souls of people at the time of sleep means that one’s consciousness, perception, understanding and volition remains suspended while one is asleep. Seen from the aspect of faith, Dr Adnan Syarif believed that during sleep, the spirit leaves only a part of the body and soul and returns to the Creator. Sleep is a small death for the body and the soul and by returning the spirit to the Creator, the soul and the whole body can rest. This is because the spirit is the first cause and stimulant of the soul and body. Because of the presence of the spirit, the soul and body experience fatigue. Through the activity of sleep, gradually the entire body of a living being can have temporary respite from the heavy burden it bears. While responding to a question about ‘What happens in the brain during sleep?’, John Peever, Director of the Systems Neurobiology Lab at the University of Toronto, and Brian J Murray, Director of the Sleep Laboratory at the Sunnybrook Health Science Center, have the following to respond: ‘The REM (Rapid Eye Movement) mode of sleep is bizarre: a dreamer’s brain becomes highly active while the body’s muscles are paralyzed, and breathing and heart beat rate becomes erratic. The purpose of REM sleep remains a biological mystery, despite our growing understanding of its biochemistry and neurobiology’. And Allah knows best.

أَوَ لَمۡ يَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٥٢ [الزمر:52-52]

Do they not know that Allah enlarges the provisions for whom He wills, and straitens it (for whom He wills). Verily, in this are signs for a folk who believe!

Surah 39 Az-Zumar Verse 52

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُرِيكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُنَزِّلُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ رِزۡقٗاۚ وَمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ إِلَّا مَن يُنِيبُ ١٣ [غافر:13-13]

It is He Who shows you His Ayat and sends down provision for you from the sky. And none remembers but those who turn in repentance (to Allah).

Surah 40 Ghafir Verse 13

• The word rizq used here signifies rainfall. This is because rain is the source of every form of sustenance that man receives. Man’s attention is drawn to this system pertaining to rainfall. If we study the process of rain, we could appreciate that this system could only be operative if the creator of the earth and all its creatures, the creator of water and wind, of sun and of heat and cold is one and the same. Furthermore, this whole system can only operate ceaselessly for millions of years because it is the same God, who has always been and shall always be, Who ensures its operation. Allah sees to it that water should reach every corner of the earth through the astounding phenomena of rainfall. Yet again, rain through which crops and fruits are brought forth which with their different colours, tastes, fragrances and forms are a sign of Allah – It is one kind of water, but by His great Power He makes all these things different in attributes.

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمَ لِتَرۡكَبُواْ مِنۡهَا وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ ٧٩ وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ وَلِتَبۡلُغُواْ عَلَيۡهَا حَاجَةٗ فِي صُدُورِكُمۡ وَعَلَيۡهَا وَعَلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ تُحۡمَلُونَ ٨٠ وَيُرِيكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ فَأَيَّ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ تُنكِرُونَ ٨١ [غافر:79-81]

Allah, it is He Who has made cattle for you, that you may ride on some of them, and of some you eat. And you have (many other) benefits from them, and that you may reach by their means a desire that is in your breasts and on them and on ships you are carried. And He shows you His Ayat. Which then of the Ayat of Allah do you deny?

Surah 40 Ghafir Verses 79-81

• Allah has created animals, especially those that serve mankind such as the cows, oxen, sheep, goat, camels and horses, and has endowed them with such characteristics that they can be easily domesticated, enabling mankind to derive numerous benefits out of them. They are used for transportation, dairy products, meat, fat, wool, hair, skin, entrails, bones and excreta. This proves beyond all doubt that even before man’s creation Allah took into full account his needs and so fashioned these animals that they would prove useful to him.
• ‘…and on ships you are carried’ – It is worth considering that three-fourths of the earth is filled with water. Again, water divides several regions of dry lands. The settlement of human populations on dry lands and their transport and trade links could not have evolved without water, the seas and the winds being governed by the laws that facilitate navigation. While studying the specifics of navigation one sees how planetary movements and stars are of immense help to mankind. All this is because Allah is One, placing numerous resources at man’s disposal.
• ‘…a desire that is in your breasts’ – A number of Quranic exegetes maintain that the verse makes a reference to the transportation of consignments with quadrupeds. However, it may also indicate personal uses, such as making use of them for the purpose of recreation, emigration, travels, races, gaining prestige, and the like.

۞ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ لِتَجۡرِيَ ٱلۡفُلۡكُ فِيهِ بِأَمۡرِهِۦ وَلِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ١٢ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ جَمِيعٗا مِّنۡهُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ ١٣ [الجاثية:12-13]

Allah, it is He Who has subjected to you the sea, that ships may sail through it by His Command, and that you may seek of His bounty, and that you may be thankful. And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply.

Surah 45 Jathiyah Verse 12-13

• ‘…subjected to you the sea’ – A study was made in 2005 and a report submitted titled ‘Report on Environmental Factors Affecting Safe Access and Operations within New Zealand Ports and Harbours’. The report listed out the following environmental factors that constitute the environmental assessment requirements for ensuring safe access and navigation within ports and harbours by shipping:

1. Weather, which includes:

1. Long periods infra gravity waves and long swell
2. Wind: mean wind velocity, gust velocity, wind shear, leeway, surface generated currents, higher or lower sea levels from wind set up or set down, local sea state, lower under keel clearance due to waves/swell
3. Visibility: including fog, mist and heavy rain (humidity, air and sea temperature)
4. Visibility: day/night
5. Barometric pressure: low or high, can lead to sea levels that are temporarily higher or depressed relative to the predicted tide level.

2. Sea conditions, which includes:

1. Waves: related to local wind speed
2. Swell: waves generated elsewhere

3. Current: main influences are tides, winds, atmospheric pressure, oceanic current incursions, density stratification with depth, sea bed bathymetry and coastline shape or constrictions. Forcing mechanisms in harbor are:

1. Tidal flow or stream, which is inherently predictable but can change over time if there are changes to bathymetry (shape of the sea floor) or changes to stratification (density layering of water column)
2. Wind: significant wind events, or ocean set up or set down in sea level can induce variations in current
3. River flows: the input of freshwater can change surface current flow, buoyancy and stratification, possibly leading to vertical shear (current flowing in different directions at different depths)

4. Tides; which include the tidal stream and other sea effects, such as:

1. Tidal cuts or surges due to offshore depressions or areas of high pressure
2. Changes in tidal height (from the predicted) due to daily, seasonal or storm surges. Changes may arise from a combination of atmospheric pressure, wind stress and trapped coastal waves

5. Reduction in available navigable water, due to silt build up, including the depth alongside berths. Sedimentation can change due to harbor works
6. Ice
7. Changes in swell and wave characteristics, due to:

1. Long period infra gravity waves and long swell
2. Shallowing effects, refraction (change of direction) of waves, occurring on reaching shallower water
3. Bathymetric changes, such as stops/bars
4. Changes in beach morphology that affect wave/swell patterns from the shore

8. Constructive interference of more than one wave/swell systems
9. Presence of excessive organisms/silt; for example, extreme quantities of jelly fish, algal blooms, krill in water can pose a potential threat to ships’ seawater engine coolant intakes; similar effects occur from suspended sediments and silts in narrow channels
10. Water borne storm debris
11. Changes to water density, which includes:

1. Transition from open sea to fresh water
2. Freshwater/seawater wedges in river ports
3. Suspended sediment from major dredging operations

12. Tsunamis, rissaga, cieches. Also called long waves
13. Slopes/gradients of rivers, which can cause fresh water drainage into harbours and affect water depth and density, as well as water flow
14. Characteristics of environmental phenomena, which include grouping of waves and freak waves.

A bare perusal of the above environmental factors (merely within ports and harbours, leave aside open rough sea/oceans) – their sheer number, the complex interrelations, the lack of predictability – all indicates that it is only because Allah has subjected the seas to mankind that he is able to maneuver and sail across them in ships.

B

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَأَنذَرۡتَهُمۡ أَمۡ لَمۡ تُنذِرۡهُمۡ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٦ خَتَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ وَعَلَىٰ سَمۡعِهِمۡۖ وَعَلَىٰٓ أَبۡصَٰرِهِمۡ غِشَٰوَةٞۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٞ ٧ [البقرة:6-7]

Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be a great torment. Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you (O Muhammad, pbuh) warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 6-7

• Kindly refer to verse V 39:22 in Part II

وَمَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِي يَنۡعِقُ بِمَا لَا يَسۡمَعُ إِلَّا دُعَآءٗ وَنِدَآءٗۚ صُمُّۢ بُكۡمٌ عُمۡيٞ فَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ ١٧١ [البقرة:171-171]

And the example of those who disbelieve is as that of him who shouts to those (flock of sheep) that hears nothing but calls and cries. (They are) deaf, dumb and blind. So, they do not understand.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 171

• Kindly refer to verse V 16:78 ahead

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِ‍َٔايَٰتِنَا سَوۡفَ نُصۡلِيهِمۡ نَارٗا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتۡ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلۡنَٰهُمۡ جُلُودًا غَيۡرَهَا لِيَذُوقُواْ ٱلۡعَذَابَۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمٗا ٥٦ [النساء:56-56]

Surely, those who disbelieved in Our Ayat, We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins get roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allah is Ever Most Powerful, All Wise.

Surah 4 An-Nisa Verse 56

• ...change them for other skins - This verse indicates that there is something in the skin which makes us feel pain. This is exactly what modern science tells us i.e. pain receptors are responsible for feeling pain. It was earlier thought that the sense of feeling and pain was dependent only on the brain. Recent discoveries however prove that there are pain receptors present in the skin, without which a person would not be able to feel pain. When a doctor examines a patient suffering from burn injuries, he verifies the degree of burns by a pinprick. If the patient feels pain, the doctor is happy, because it indicates that the burns are superficial and the pain receptors are intact. On the other hand, if the patient does not feel any pain, it indicates that it is a deep burn and the pain receptors have been destroyed.

Scientifically speaking, a nociceptor (another name for a pain receptor) is a sensory neuron that responds to damaging or potentially damaging stimuli by sending “possible threat” signals to the spinal cord and the brain. If the brain perceives the threat as credible, it creates the sensation of pain to direct attention to the body part, so the threat can hopefully be mitigated; this process is called nociception. Nociceptors were discovered by Charles Scott Sherrington in 1906. In earlier centuries, scientists believed that animals were like mechanical devices that transformed the energy of sensory stimuli into motor responses. Sherrington used many different experiments to demonstrate that different types of stimulation to an afferent nerve fiber's receptive field led to different responses. Some intense stimuli trigger reflex withdrawal, certain autonomic responses, and pain. The specific receptors for these intense stimuli were called nociceptors. Sir Charles Scott Sherrington received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Edgar Adrian, 1st Baron Adrian, in 1932 for their work on the functions of neurons. Prior to the work of Sherrington and Adrian, it was widely accepted that reflexes occurred as isolated activity within a reflex arc. Sherrington received the prize for showing that reflexes require integrated activation and demonstrated reciprocal innervation of muscles (Sherrington's law). Through his seminal 1906 publication, The Integrative Action of the Nervous System, he had effectively laid to rest the theory that the nervous system, including the brain, can be understood as a single interlinking network.

 The sensation of pain results from communication between nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, and elsewhere in the body. When a person experiences an injury, such as a stubbed toe, specialized cells called nociceptors (another name for pain receptors) sense potential tissue damage (1) and send an electric signal, called an impulse, to the spinal cord via a sensory nerve (2). A specialized region of the spinal cord known as the dorsal horn (3) processes the pain signal, immediately sending another impulse back down the leg via a motor nerve (4). This causes the muscles in the leg to contract and pull the toe away from the source of injury (6). At the same time, the dorsal horn sends another impulse up the spinal cord to the brain. During this trip, the impulse travels between nerve cells. When the impulse reaches a nerve ending (7), the nerve releases chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, which carry the message to the adjacent nerve. When the impulse reaches the brain (8), it is analyzed and processed as an unpleasant physical and emotional sensation.

• …roasted - The Ayat under discussion mentions the burning of the skin. The severity of a burn depends on its depth, its extent, and the age of the victim. Burns are classified by depth as first, second, and third degree. First-degree burns cause redness and pain (e.g., sunburn). Second-degree burns are marked by blisters (e.g., scald by hot liquid). In third-degree burns, both the epidermis and dermis (external and internal parts of the skin) are destroyed, and underlying tissue may also be damaged. Further burn in the skin would damage the pain receptors and hence the person would not feel pain. Quran rightly mentions this 'extreme' stage for the change of skin. The Arabic word used is nadijat (roasted) which indicates the burning to the extreme stage. Ibn e Faris says that its basic meaning includes burning something to the last stage. Hence, not only the Quran told humans that sensation is due to the pain receptors of the skin, Quran also describes accurately the type of burn that kills the pain receptors.

For 3rd degree burns, the nerves at skin are completely destroyed and there will be no longer feeling of pain (roasted, says the Quran)

Prof. Tegatat Tejasen, Chairman of the Department of Anatomy at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, has spent a great amount of time on research of pain receptors. Initially he could not believe that the Quran mentioned this scientific fact 1,400 years ago. He later verified the translation of this particular Quranic verse. Prof. Tegatat Tejasen was so impressed by the scientific accuracy of the Quranic verse, that at the 8th Saudi Medical Conference held in Riyadh on the Scientific Signs of Quran and Sunnah, he proudly proclaimed in public: “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger”.

قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِنۡ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ سَمۡعَكُمۡ وَأَبۡصَٰرَكُمۡ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِكُم مَّنۡ إِلَٰهٌ غَيۡرُ ٱللَّهِ يَأۡتِيكُم بِهِۗ ٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ ثُمَّ هُمۡ يَصۡدِفُونَ ٤٦ [الأنعام:46-46]

Say (to the believers): ‘Tell me, if Allah took away your hearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts, who is there – an ilah (a god) other than Allah who could restore them to you? See how variously We explain the Ayat, yet they turn aside.

Surah 6 Al-Anam Verse 46

• Kindly refer to verse V 16:78 ahead

فَمَن يُرِدِ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَهۡدِيَهُۥ يَشۡرَحۡ صَدۡرَهُۥ لِلۡإِسۡلَٰمِۖ وَمَن يُرِدۡ أَن يُضِلَّهُۥ يَجۡعَلۡ صَدۡرَهُۥ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجٗا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجۡعَلُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّجۡسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ ١٢٥ [الأنعام:125-125]

And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam; and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus, Allah puts the wrath on those who believe not.

Surah 6 Al-Anam Verse 125

• …as if he is climbing up to the sky - It has been proven by aeronautics that when man is exposed to high altitude, he suffers from some physiological symptoms that would vary between feeling tightness in his chest and getting into a critical stage if he continues being exposed to high altitude and low atmospheric pressure. Is there any relationship between what was mentioned in the verse and recent scientific discoveries?

Let us see some scientific facts concerning the state of man in high altitude:

Layers of the atmosphere and its physiological effect on man:

1. The Physiologically Sufficient area for human being is from sea level up to 10,000 feet above sea level. The oxygen in this layer is physiologically sufficient for human survival.

2. The Physiologically Insufficient area is between 10,000 -50,000 feet. In this area there is a deficiency in oxygen, in addition to low atmospheric pressure. This would result in clear physiological symptoms on the human body, and so symptoms of Hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and Desparism (low atmospheric pressure) take place.

3. Near Space Area (of the earth): from 50,000 feet. From the physiological point of view man can’t live in altitudes higher 50,000 feet even if he breathes 100% oxygen. He should then wear a space suit to tolerate the decrease in atmospheric pressure and oxygen deficiency.

Symptoms of the stages of Hypoxia:

This is divided into four stages depending on the atmospheric pressure, altitude and blood oxygen concentration.

1. From sea level to 10,000 feet no symptoms of Hypoxia appear.

2. From 10,000-16,000 feet physiological compensatory systems of the human body prevent symptoms of Hypoxia from appearing except if the period of exposure is too long. Then breathing becomes faster and deeper, pulse and blood pressure also increase.

3. From 16,000-25,000 feet, physiological systems do not function and cannot provide tissues with sufficient oxygen, and the afore-mentioned symptoms appear. At this stage we find a clear explanation of the tightness of the chest one feels at this altitude.

4. The Critical Stage is from 25,000 feet and higher. At this stage man completely loses consciousness due to the failure of the nervous system. Changes that occur in the chest reach their maxima at this altitude and then there will be complete physiological failure of heart functions and respiration.

Drop in Atmospheric Pressure:

When man is exposed to low atmospheric pressure at high altitude (as what happens to air passengers when the pressure adjustment system fails inside the airplane), several symptoms occur as a result of the expansion of gases and their increase in the human body. Gases confined in the body cavities such as the stomach, when expanding press on the lungs, which cause breathing difficulty, disturbances, and tightness of the chest. The same thing would happen in the colon, lungs, teeth, middle ear and sinuses and all this causes’ severe pain in the body. In addition to this all gases dissolved in the body cells e.g. nitrogen, would cause suffocation leading to severe chest pain.

The Holy Quran in the above verse mentions that tightness would occur in the chest when going up in the sky, which has now been proven by modern science. Ascending to higher altitudes causes the symptoms of Hypoxia and Desparism. This leads to tightness of the chest because of the expansion of gases in the body cavities and their pressure on the lungs. In addition to this the evolving of the dissolved gases (in the body) in the form of bubbles at high altitude causes severe chest pains. So, the words of Allah He makes his breast closed present a brief and precise explanation to the physiological changes occurring in man at these high altitudes. This scientific fact mentioned in the Quran, was not discovered except after years of research. As for the word constricted it refers to what happens to man when he continues to rise in high altitude until he gets to the Critical Height as mentioned before which is 25,000 feet and higher when man loses consciousness due to failure of the nervous system.

وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡغَنِيُّ ذُو ٱلرَّحۡمَةِۚ إِن يَشَأۡ يُذۡهِبۡكُمۡ وَيَسۡتَخۡلِفۡ مِنۢ بَعۡدِكُم مَّا يَشَآءُ كَمَآ أَنشَأَكُم مِّن ذُرِّيَّةِ قَوۡمٍ ءَاخَرِينَ ١٣٣ [الأنعام:133-133]

And your Lord is Rich (free of all needs), full of Mercy; if He wills, He can destroy you, and in your place make whom He wills as your successors, as He raised you from the seed of other people.

Surah 6 Al-Anam Verse 133

• …from the seed of other people - The idea that humans fall naturally into racial groups is almost universally accepted in all societies. Sure, many people have mixed ancestry that crosses racial boundaries, but there are undeniable physical differences between people native to different parts of the world. Many of those physical differences reflect genetic differences, and over the past two decades, researchers have used those genetic differences to pinpoint the geographical origins of people's ancestry with ever-increasing precision. Genes certainly reflect geography, but unlike geography, human genetic differences don't fall along obvious natural boundaries that might define races.

Templeton (Washington University) found that the genetic relationships between human populations don't have a very tree-like structure, while chimpanzee populations do. Rather than a family tree with distinct racial branches, humans have a family trellis that lacks clear genetic boundaries between different groups.

These findings reflect our unusual recent evolutionary history. Unlike the distinct populations of chimps, humans continued to exchange both goods and genes with each other even as they rapidly settled an enormous geographical range. Those ongoing contacts, plus the fact that we were a small, genetically homogeneous species to begin with, has resulted in relatively close genetic relationships, despite our worldwide presence. The DNA differences between humans increase with geographical distance, but boundaries between populations are, as geneticists Kenneth Weiss and Jeffrey Long put it, “multilayered, porous, ephemeral, and difficult to identify”. Pure, geographically separated ancestral populations are an abstraction: “There is no reason to think that there ever were isolated, homogeneous parental populations at any time in our human past”. (He raised you from the seed of other people)

أَوَ لَمۡ يَهۡدِ لِلَّذِينَ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَهۡلِهَآ أَن لَّوۡ نَشَآءُ أَصَبۡنَٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمۡۚ وَنَطۡبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ ١٠٠ [الأعراف:100-100]

Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth in succession from its (previous) possessors, that had We willed, We would have punished them for their sins? And We seal up their hearts so that they hear not.

Surah 7 Al-Araf Verse 100

• Kindly refer to verse V 39:22 in Part II

إِنِّي تَوَكَّلۡتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ ٥٦ [هود:56-56]

‘I (Hud, pbuh) put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has the grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on a Straight Path (the truth)’

Surah 11 Hud Verse 56

• Long before science and the microscopic telescope was invented, the Holy Quran states that the frontal lobe (just behind the forelock, see figure) is the part in the brain which is responsible for making decision of committing sins and also making decision to lie. In fact, the word frontal interlope in Arabic is Al-Nasya and is mentioned in the holy Quran at two other places. It is always mentioned in relation with taking decision, be it good or bad.

Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock, A lying, sinful forelock! [Surah Al-Alaq 96:15-16]

The Mujrimun (polytheists, criminals, sinners, etc.) will be known by their marks (black faces), and they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet. [Surah Ar-Rahman 55:41]

 

Let us see what modern science has found out about frontal lobe. For the sake of brevity, we quote the functions of the frontal lobe from a specialized medical site:

The frontal lobe of the brain is a very important part of a complex cognitive processing system, and has many connections to different areas of the brain. It has a special role in planning and organizing different tasks like a ‘supervisor’. Many aspects of everyday life are mainly controlled by the frontal lobe system:

• Decision-making and planning of new situations

• Error detection and correction and developing plans for trouble-shooting

• Technically difficult or new situations with demand for new solutions

• Resisting temptations and habitual responses

• Impulse control and dealing with frustrations

In a study in 2005, it was found that liars showed a 22-26% increase in prefrontal white matter and a 36-42% reduction in prefrontal grey/white ratios compared with both antisocial controls and normal controls. Pathological liars have a surplus of white matter, the study found, and a deficit of gray matter. That means they have more tools to lie coupled with fewer moral restraints than normal people; studies of autistic children – who typically have trouble lying – have showed the converse pattern of gray matter/white matter ratios. According to an article published in Brainfacts.org in 2013 states:

‘Although several brain areas appear to play a role in deception, the most consistent finding across multiple fMRI studies is that activity in the prefrontal cortex increases when people lie. The prefrontal cortex, situated just behind the forehead, is a collection of regions responsible for executive control (the ability to regulate thoughts or actions to achieve goals). Executive control includes cognitive processes such as planning, problem solving, and attention — all important components of deception — so it’s no surprise the prefrontal cortex is active when we lie. Dishonesty requires the brain to work harder than honesty, and this effort is reflected by increased brain activity. Studies even show people take longer to respond when lying.’ 

The frontal lobe, being the most important part in brain, another specialized site says:

‘If the brain had a White House it would be here. It is the true center for command and control in your body. The Frontal lobe is responsible for functions such as reasoning, problem solving, judgment, impulse control’

Professor Kith Moore comments on this scientific miracle in the Holy Quran saying:

‘Our present knowledge about the brain was unknown to any one during the human history; it is not there in any medicine book that dates back to the time of the prophet and even in the following centuries. The frontal interlobe had never been mentioned in any civilization, there is no reference to it in the ancient books except in the Holy Quran, and this proves that this Holy Book must have been revealed from God to Mohammed, the prophet of Islam’

خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطۡفَةٖ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٞ مُّبِينٞ ٤ [النحل:4-4]

He has created man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then behold, this same (man) becomes an open opponent.

Surah 16 An-Nahl Verse 4

• In a number of places in the Quran we are informed that man is created from a drop of fluid (semen, seed or sperm):

V 16:4 He created man from a drop of fluid 

V 32:8 He made his seed from a quintessence of despised fluid
V 35:11 ... then from a little fluid 
V 76:2 We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm
V 77:20 Did We not create you from a worthless water?

V 80:19 From a sperm-drop He hath created him

Nutritious fluid named semen which carries sperms does not merely consist of sperms. On the contrary, semen consists of a mixture of different fluids. Semen is a compound of substances excreted from the canals of sperm, the seminal vesicles, the prostate glands, and glands connected to the urinary tracts. With detailed analysis, we can see that the fluid named semen consists of many components like citric acid, prostaglandins, flavins, ascorbic acid, ergothioneine, fructose, phosphorylcholine, cholesterol, phospholipids, fibrinolysin, zinc, acid phosphatase, phosphatase, hyaluronates and sperms. These fluids have duties like containing the glucose which will provide the energy needed for the sperm, neutralizing the acids at the entrance of the womb with its base quality, providing the slippery environment where the sperm will move.

When semen is mentioned in the Quran, this fact which was revealed by modern science is also pointed and semen is described as a “mingled” fluid:

“Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.” (Surah Al-Insan Verse 2)

In the following verse mentioned in the Quran, it is pointed out that semen is a mixture; and it is emphasized that the human is created from the essence of this mixture:

“He Who created all things in the best, and He began the creation of man from clay, And made his progeny from a quintessence of despised fluid.” (Surah As-Sajda Verse 7-8)

The Arabic word progeny (sulala) translated as essence here means ‘the best part of something’. No matter which meaning is accepted, it means ‘a part of a whole’ thing. Indeed, the sperms are both a part of the semen and the basic raw material of it. The sperm which inseminates the ovum among all the sperms is both a small amount of the sperms that can be expressed as only one in a hundred millionths of the sperms and the most successful swimmer reaching its destination by overtaking millions of sperms in this long-distance race.

This shows obviously that the Quran is the word of Allah, who knows the creation of man in every fine detail.

وَٱللَّهُ أَخۡرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡ‍ٔٗا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡ‍ِٔدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ٧٨ [النحل:78-78]

And Allah has brought you out from the womb of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing and sight, and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allah).

Surah 16 An-Nahl Verse 78

• Whenever the word ‘hearing’ was mentioned in the Quran, it always meant the sense of hearing speeches, voices and conceptualizing the information they included. While the word ‘sight’ meant seeing light, figures and images with your eyes 88 out of the 148 times, otherwise it indicated contemplation, intellectual perception of the different phenomena of life and the universe and the verses of the Quran that one hears. It is to be noted that in all the relevant verses, the word ‘hearing’ preceded the word ‘sight’. Does this order have any significance?

Let us see some recent scientific findings in Embryology, Anatomy, Physiology and Medicine:

1. Embryonic development of the ear and eye

The auditory system of the embryo develops before the visual system. In the first month of embryonic life, the auditory system reaches its normal size, equivalent to that of an adult. In the 23^rd week of pregnancy, the ear is fully developed, and the inner ear is capable of hearing in the fifth month. As for the eye, the retina which is the sensitive part to light is not developed until the 25^th week, and the eye lids remain closed up to the 26^th week of pregnancy. The optic nerve is not developed enough to transfer visual nerve signals efficiently until the 10^th week after delivery and eye development is complete at 10 years of age.

Hearing and sight

It is now evident that the fetus can hear the sound of his mother’s heart and bowels. Auditory nerve signals in the inner ear and auditory nerve are developed, and can be recorded with lab equipment. This is taken as a scientific proof that the fetus can hear at this early stage. These signals were not recorded for the visual system because the fetus cannot see light except after delivery.

The full development of hearing and sight

The fetus can hear sounds and voices naturally a few days after delivery when all the liquid and remnants of tissues in his middle ear are absorbed. A few days after delivery hearing becomes sharpened. A human being is the only creature that starts hearing sound in his mother’s uterus; moreover, animals do not hear sound except a few days after delivery. For example, cats start hearing 5-6 days after delivery, rabbits after 7 days, and dogs after 10 days. The sight of a human being is very weak at delivery, almost non-existent. A baby can’t distinguish between darkness and light, and his eyes move with no ability to focus his sight onto the desired object. In the third or fourth month he can distinguish his mother or his bottle and follow their movements. In the sixth month he can recognize people’s faces.

The development of the auditory and optical centers of the brain

It has been proven that the functions of the auditory center of the brain, develops before those of the visual. It was even possible to record auditory nerve signals when stimulated with a sound stimulant at the beginning of the fifth month while the visual area of the brain could not be stimulated. For these reasons, the child is able to automatically learn and memorize all the auditory information before the visual ones. He understands the words that he hears, and understands them much more than his perception of drawings, pictures and writing that he sees visually.

Other aspects that distinguish Hearing from Sight

People lose their sense of sight before their sense of hearing at the beginning of sleep or anesthesia and just before death, or when oxygen pressure in the air drops. Also, rapid take off or acceleration during flight that some pilots or astronauts do, could cause visual impairment before complete loss of vision. But in this case the pilot would not lose all his hearing sense; a part of it would remain for sometime, which would keep him in contact with the ground station. Another point of distinction is that the auditory scope exceeds the visual one. One can hear sounds reaching his ear from all directions and heights to an extent of 360, while if a person puts his head in a fixed position, he would only be able to see figures in a very limited area.

Scientific signs in the Quranic verses of Hearing and vision:

There are many verses in the Quran that indicate the benefit of Hearing and Sight, and in all cases, hearing is mentioned before sight which raises the question about the reasons behind it and the things that distinguish hearing over sight in their origin and creation. Let’s see:

He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give! (Verse 32:9)

Verily! The hearing and the sight and heart of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allah). (Verse 17:36)

It is He Who has created for you hearing, eyes and hearts. Little thanks you give. (Verse 23:78)

And there are many other similar verses.

In a Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘When forty nights pass after the Nutfah stage (the first stage immediately after conception) Allah sends the angel and gives him (the baby) his image and creates his sense of hearing, sense of sight, his skin, flesh and his bones...’. So, in this Hadith we also find a clear indication of the precedence of hearing to sight in creation and function which has been proven now by modern scientific discoveries concerning the development of the auditory system before the visual, as well as the early function of that system before delivery. The visual function is delayed to several weeks after delivery when the child is able to distinguish some figures around him. These facts were not known 14 centuries ago, much of it was not even known before the past few years, so much so that many scientists thought that sight was more important than hearing. But several modern scientific studies have discovered several clear facts that prove the scientific signs in the verses of the Quran that mention hearing and sight for all the reasons that we mentioned above.

أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ وَسَمۡعِهِمۡ وَأَبۡصَٰرِهِمۡۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡغَٰفِلُونَ ١٠٨ [النحل:108-108]

They are those upon whose hearts, hearing (ears) and sight (eyes) Allah has set a seal. And they are the heedless!

Surah 16 An-Nahl Verse 108

• Kindly refer to verse V 39:22 in Part II
• Kindly refer to verse V 16:78 earlier

فَضَرَبۡنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاذَانِهِمۡ فِي ٱلۡكَهۡفِ سِنِينَ عَدَدٗا ١١ [الكهف:11-11]

Therefore, We covered up their (sense of) hearing (causing them to go in deep sleep) in the Cave for a number of years.

Surah 18 Al-Kahf Verse 11

• The above verse refers to the People of the Cave, who remained asleep for hundreds of years. Sleeping is an integral part of our life, and as research shows, it is incredibly complex. A series of highly orchestrated events puts the brain to sleep in stages. There is a progressive decrease in the activation or ‘firing’ rate of most neurons throughout the brain as sleep progresses from wakefulness to non-REM sleep. However, during sleep our sense of hearing doesn’t stop functioning (we tend to wake up at our alarms) and the 8^th cranial nerve which passes in the inner part of the ears has two divisions: one for hearing and the other for equilibrium (position and movement of the head). But in the case of the Cave sleepers, these functions did stop.

Using electrodes implanted directly on the human cortex, a Johns Hopkins University undergraduate (Serena J. Gondek) has located the part of the brain that appears to process sounds while people sleep. This site, in the frontal lobe, “We found that during waking, only areas around primary auditory cortex are activated by the tones”, she says. “Then, during light and deep sleep, you find not only primary auditory activation, but the frontal lobe also responds”.

The frontal lobe is believed to play a key role in vigilance functions, such as screening new stimuli and preparing the body to react. During sleep, Gondek speculates, this part of the brain may analyze sounds to decide whether the person needs to be awakened to respond. Hence, if the Cave sleepers had to be put to sleep for long duration their sense of hearing needed to be covered up.

وَتَحۡسَبُهُمۡ أَيۡقَاظٗا وَهُمۡ رُقُودٞۚ وَنُقَلِّبُهُمۡ ذَاتَ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِۖ وَكَلۡبُهُم بَٰسِطٞ ذِرَاعَيۡهِ بِٱلۡوَصِيدِۚ لَوِ ٱطَّلَعۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ لَوَلَّيۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ فِرَارٗا وَلَمُلِئۡتَ مِنۡهُمۡ رُعۡبٗا ١٨ [الكهف:18-18]

And you would have thought them awake, whereas they were asleep. And We turned them on their right and on their left sides, and their dog stretching forth his two forelegs at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would certainly have turned back from them in flight, and would certainly have been filled with awe of them.

Surah 18 Al-Kahf Verse 18

• ‘…turned them on their right and on their left sides’ - The above verse refers to the People of the Cave, who remained asleep for hundreds of years. In addition, Allah also reveals that He moved their bodies to the left and right. The wisdom of this was only discovered in recent times.

People who remain lying down in the same position for long period of time encounter serious health problems, such as circulation difficulties, sores, and blood clotting in that part of the body in contact with the surface on which they lie. The resulting sores are known as “bed sores” or “pressure sores” (medically referred to as decubitus ulcer).

Due to the constant pressure on one part of the body when one is not moving for a long period of time, the blood vessels become constricted and can close altogether. As a result, the oxygen and other nutrients carried by the blood fail to reach the skin, and the skin begins to die. This leads to the appearance of sores on the body. Unless these sores are treated, fat and muscles can also die. These sores, which form under the skin or tissue, can assume serious dimensions unless treated. If they become infected, they can even lead to death.

The most important care for a person at risk for pressure ulcers and those with bedsores is the redistribution of pressure so that no pressure is applied to the pressure ulcer. In the 1940s Ludwig Guttmann introduced a program of turning paraplegics every two hours thus allowing bedsores to heal. Previously such individuals had a two-year life expectancy, normally succumbing to blood and skin infections. Guttmann had learned the technique from the work of Boston physician Donald Munro (1727-1802).

The fact that these medical facts, only discovered in the last century, are referred to in the Quran is yet another of its miracles.

• ‘you would have thought them awake’ - Allah preserved their eyes from blindness through blinking, as the eye if kept closed for a long period of time will turn blind, because the optic nerve will shrink and die, and if it is kept open, the cornea will be affected with corneo-xerosis and blindness.

Blinking our eyes facilitates the spreading of the nutritive and protective secretions of lachrymal glands, meibomian or tarsal glands, glands of moll, glands of zeis and of accessory lachrymal glands over the entire exposed portion of sclera and cornea which helps in its lubrication and protection from microbes. If we keep our eyes open for a long time it will result in the evaporation of the tear film, inflammation of our eyes, etc. and we will feel a burning pain in our eyes.

Therefore, this rare status of theirs would have aroused terror, if seen, as they weren’t alive or dead. They were asleep, yet their eyes were blinking (Had you looked at them, you would…certainly have been filled with awe of them).

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمۡ فِي رَيۡبٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡبَعۡثِ فَإِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطۡفَةٖ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَةٖ ثُمَّ مِن مُّضۡغَةٖ مُّخَلَّقَةٖ وَغَيۡرِ مُخَلَّقَةٖ لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمۡۚ وَنُقِرُّ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِ مَا نَشَآءُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗى ثُمَّ نُخۡرِجُكُمۡ طِفۡلٗا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوٓاْ أَشُدَّكُمۡۖ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرۡذَلِ ٱلۡعُمُرِ لِكَيۡلَا يَعۡلَمَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ عِلۡمٖ شَيۡ‍ٔٗاۚ وَتَرَى ٱلۡأَرۡضَ هَامِدَةٗ فَإِذَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهَا ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱهۡتَزَّتۡ وَرَبَتۡ وَأَنۢبَتَتۡ مِن كُلِّ زَوۡجِۢ بَهِيجٖ ٥ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُۥ يُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَأَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ ٦ [ الحج:5-6]

O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily, We have created you from dust, then from a Nutfah, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh – some formed and some unformed – that We may make (it) clear to you. And We cause whom We will to remain in the womb for an appointed term, then We bring you out as infants, then (give you growth) that you may reach your age of full strength. And among you there is he who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known. And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) on it, it is stirred (to life), and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth). This is because Allah: He is the Truth, and it is He Who gives life to the dead, and it is He Who is Able to do all things.

Surah 22 Al-Hajj Verse 5-6

• …then from a Nutfah… - Kindly refer to Verse 23: 12-14 later
• ‘it is stirred (to life) and it swells...’ - This verse describes what happens to dry soil when water falls on it, and mentions the three stages it goes through until its plant appears above the soil and gives its fruit. What does modern science say about the stages of germination?

Scientific signs concerning plant germination.

First: Agitation of the soil

What is meant by agitation is the movement of soil particles and not the movement of the earth’s crust in one bulk as in the case of earthquakes. These particles are composed of joint layers of silica and alumina. Each layer is on top of the other. When water penetrates the layers, it causes the swelling of mud particles. So, the descending of water (rain) on the soil in sufficient amount would cause the agitation of its particles. This could be explained as follows:

1. The electrostatic charge on the surface of the particle (which appears after the descent of water) would cause its instability, and agitative movements that would not be stabilized except after neutralizing this charge with an opposing one. Here we can clearly perceive the Divine wisdom in creating all creatures in pairs which calls for its stability and tranquility.
2. Moving and agitation of the soil particles is also due to its collision with water particles. The movement of water particles has no specific direction, so the soil particles shake and move from their place as they are struck from all sides. The Botanist Robert Brown (1828) noticed these movements of the soil particles and called them Brownian movement. Whenever water is abundant this would increase the distance between the soil particles and facilitate their movement. If water decreases, they get closer and slow down their movement until they stop. So this movement is due to the direct action of the water on the soil particles.

Second: Swelling stage

What is meant by this term is the soil particles become swollen and increase in thickness. Consequently, the size of the soil increases due to the increase in size of its particles. Soil particles are composed of joint layers. Between any two layers there are spaces that would allow water particles and dissolved ions to enter. When water and the nourishing elements dissolved in it, diffuses between the layers, this would result in the swelling of the size of the soil particles. This is analogous with the swelling of mud (in a lab experiment) when a certain amount of water is poured on it; it swells due to absorption of water. Here we have another procedure happening which is keeping water from leaking down due to the action of gravity, because the particles carry the water between them in layers and thus it has the ability to keep the water particles on its surface with the attraction of electrostatic forces and the fusion of water particles together that makes them like a vessel that keeps water from leaking down.

Third: Germination stage

Germination of seeds starts at this stage. When water is sufficient, the seed embryo becomes active and absorbs simple nutritious material (the complex nutritious material is broken down by specific enzymes). First, the radical grows down (with the will of Allah), between the soil particles, in order to discover an appropriate environment in which to germinate provide the plant with whatever it needs. The plumule grows next, which eventually turns into green leaves. This plumule goes up penetrating the soil particles and appearing above the soil level, directing itself towards the light.

Allah speaks about the mechanism in another Verse of the Quran:

And among His Signs (is this), that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetations). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely, (He) is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed! He is Able to do all things. (Quran, 41:39)

أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ يَعۡقِلُونَ بِهَآ أَوۡ ءَاذَانٞ يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَاۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعۡمَى ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرُ وَلَٰكِن تَعۡمَى ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِي فِي ٱلصُّدُورِ ٤٦ [الحج:46-46]

Have they not travelled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.

Surah 22 Al-Hajj Verse 46

• Kindly refer to verse V 39:22 in Part II

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِن سُلَٰلَةٖ مِّن طِينٖ ١٢ ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَٰهُ نُطۡفَةٗ فِي قَرَارٖ مَّكِينٖ ١٣ ثُمَّ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلنُّطۡفَةَ عَلَقَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡعَلَقَةَ مُضۡغَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمُضۡغَةَ عِظَٰمٗا فَكَسَوۡنَا ٱلۡعِظَٰمَ لَحۡمٗا ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَٰهُ خَلۡقًا ءَاخَرَۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقِينَ ١٤ [المؤمنون:12-14]

And indeed, We created man out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We made him as a Nutfah in a safe lodging. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (Alaq), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So, blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.

Surah 23 Al-Muminun Verse 12-14

• Statements referring to human reproduction and development are scattered throughout the Quran. It is only recently that the scientific meaning of some of these verses has been appreciated fully. The long delay in interpreting these verses correctly resulted mainly from inaccurate translations and commentaries and from a lack of awareness of scientific knowledge. The following details taken from the Paper ‘A Scientist's Interpretation of References to Embryology in the Quran’ by Keith L. Moore, PhD, F.I.A.C., Professor of Anatomy and Associate Dean Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada, throw light on several verses of the Quran.

He makes you in the wombs of your mothers in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness.

This statement is from Surah 39:6. We do not know when it was realized that human beings underwent development in the uterus (womb), but the first known illustration of a fetus in the uterus was drawn by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. In the 2nd century A.D., Galen described the placenta and fetal membranes in his book On The Formation of the Foetus. Consequently, doctors in the 7th century A.D. likely knew that the human embryo developed in the uterus. It is unlikely that they knew that it developed in stages, even though Aristotle had described the stages of development of the chick embryo in the 4th century B.C. The realization that the human embryo develops in stages was not discussed and illustrated until the 15th century. After the microscope was discovered in the 17th century by Leeuwenhoek descriptions were made of the early stages of the chick embryo. The staging of human embryos was not described until the 20th century. Streeter (1941) developed the first system of staging which has now been replaced by a more accurate system proposed by O'Rahilly (1972).

The three veils of darkness may refer to: (l) the anterior abdominal wall; (2) the uterine wall; and (3) the amniochorionic membrane (Fig. 1). Although there are other interpretations of this statement, the one presented here seems the most logical from an embryological point of view. 

 Then We placed him as a drop in a place of rest.

This statement is from Surah 23:13. The drop or Nutfah has been interpreted as the sperm or spermatozoa, but a more meaningful interpretation would be the zygote which divides to form a blastocyst which is implanted in the uterus (a place of rest). This interpretation is supported by another verse in the Quran which states that a human being is created from a mixed drop. The zygote forms by the union of a mixture of the sperm and the ovum ("The mixed drop").

Then We made the drop into Alaqah (a leech-like structure).

This statement is from Surah 23:14. The word alaqah refers to a leech or bloodsucker. This is an appropriate description of the human embryo from days 7-24 when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus, in the same way that a leech clings to the skin. Just as the leech derives blood from the host, the human embryo derives blood from the decidua or pregnant endometrium. It is remarkable how much the embryo of 23-24 days resembles a leech (Fig. 2). 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.

Then of that leech-like structure, We made Mudagah (a chewed lump).

This statement is also from Surah 23:14. The Arabic word mudghah means "chewed substance or chewed lump." Toward the end of the fourth week, the human embryo looks somewhat like a chewed lump of flesh (Fig. 3). The chewed appearance results from the somites which resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings or primordia of the vertebrae.

Then We made out of the chewed lump, bones, and clothed the bones in flesh.

This continuation of Surah 23:14 indicate that out of the chewed lump stage, bones and muscles form. This is in accordance with embryological development. First the bones form as cartilage models and then the muscles (flesh) develop around them from the somatic mesoderm.

Then We developed out of it another creature.

This next part of Surah 23:14 imply that the bones and muscles result in the formation of another creature. This may refer to the human-like embryo that forms by the end of the eighth week. At this stage it has distinctive human characteristics and possesses the primordia of all the internal and external organs and parts. After the eighth week, the human embryo is called a fetus. This may be the new creature to which the verse refers.

And He gave you hearing and sight and feeling and understanding.

This part of Surah 32:9 indicates that the special senses of hearing, seeing, and feeling develop in this order, which is true. The primordia of the internal ears appear before the beginning of the eyes, and the brain (the site of understanding) differentiates last.

Then out of a piece of chewed flesh, partly formed and partly unformed.

This part of Surah 22:5 seems to indicate that the embryo is composed of both differentiated and undifferentiated tissues. For example, when the cartilage bones are differentiated, the embryonic connective tissue or mesenchyme around them is undifferentiated. It later differentiates into the muscles and ligaments attached to the bones.

And We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term.

This next part of Surah 22:5 seems to imply that God determines which embryos will remain in the uterus until full term. It is well known that many embryos abort during the first month of development, and that only about 30% of zygotes that form, develop into fetuses that survive until birth. This verse has also been interpreted to mean that God determines whether the embryo will develop into a boy or girl.

The interpretation of the verses in the Quran referring to human development would not have been possible in the 7th century A.D., or even a hundred years ago. We can interpret them now because the science of modern Embryology affords us new understanding. Undoubtedly there are other verses in the Quran related to human development that will be understood in the future as our knowledge increases.

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡ‍ِٔدَةَۚ قَلِيلٗا مَّا تَشۡكُرُونَ ٧٨ [المؤمنون:78-78]

It is He Who has created for you hearing, eyes and hearts. Little thanks you give.

Surah 23 Al-Muminun Verse 78

• Kindly refer Verse 16:78 earlier

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ بَشَرٗا فَجَعَلَهُۥ نَسَبٗا وَصِهۡرٗاۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيرٗا ٥٤ [الفرقان:54-54]

And it is He Who has created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred by marriage. And your Lord is Ever All-Powerful to do what He wills.

Surah 25 Al-Furqan Verse 54

• …created man from water - The concept of humankind being created from water may sound as something preposterous to the unknowing. If anyone stood in the desert 1400 years back and proclaimed that he is made of water, it would take away tremendously from his credibility as a knowledgeable person. It was only shown around 200 years back, after the discovery of the microscope that the basic substance of the ovum cell from which the human develops has as its basic functioning portion the cytoplasm which is at least 80% water.

According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery by 31%. According to Dr. Jeffrey Utz, Neuroscience, pediatrics, Allegheny University, different people have different percentages of their bodies made up of water. Babies have the most, being born at about 78%. By one year of age, that amount drops to about 65%. In adult men, about 60% of their bodies are water. However, fat tissue does not have as much water as lean tissue. In adult women, fat makes up more of the body than men, so they have about 55% of their bodies made of water.

How Muhammad (pbuh) or anyone else at that time knew about this seemingly odd idea, is a challenge to human explanation. The contents of cytoplasm were analyzed and documented centuries after the Quran. The Quran even mentions that all life ‘originated’ from water (Quran chapter 21, verse 30) and that man himself is ‘created’ of water and so are all the animals on earth (Quran 25:54, and 24:45).

وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيۡهِ حَمَلَتۡهُ أُمُّهُۥ وَهۡنًا عَلَىٰ وَهۡنٖ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ فِي عَامَيۡنِ أَنِ ٱشۡكُرۡ لِي وَلِوَٰلِدَيۡكَ إِلَيَّ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ ١٤ [لقمان:14-14]

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. To Me is the final destination.

Surah 31 Luqman Verse 14

• …his weaning is in two years – The fact is mentioned again in a similar Ayah in the Quran as:

The mothers should suckle their children for two whole years… (Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 233)

Yet again, Quran mentions in the following Verse, another interesting fact:

…and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months... (Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf Verse 15)

Do the two verses read together mean that the term of a foetus can be 6 months (24 weeks)? Let’s see what science has to tell us. Haywood L. Brown, MD, F. Bayard Carter Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center while speaking about ‘Development of the Fetus and Placenta’, mentions the following scientific observations:

At the end of the 8th week after fertilization (10 weeks of pregnancy), the embryo is considered a fetus. During this stage, the structures that have already formed grow and develop. The following are markers during pregnancy:

• By 12 weeks of pregnancy: The fetus fills the entire uterus.

• By about 14 weeks: The sex can be identified.

• By about 16 to 20 weeks: Typically, the pregnant woman can feel the fetus moving. Women who have been pregnant before typically feel movements about 2 weeks earlier than women who are pregnant for the first time.

• By about 24 weeks: The fetus has a chance of survival outside the uterus.

ٱلَّذِيٓ أَحۡسَنَ كُلَّ شَيۡءٍ خَلَقَهُۥۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلۡقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٖ ٧ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسۡلَهُۥ مِن سُلَٰلَةٖ مِّن مَّآءٖ مَّهِينٖ ٨ ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡ‍ِٔدَةَۚ قَلِيلٗا مَّا تَشۡكُرُونَ ٩ [السجدة:7-9]

Who made everything He has created good and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his off springs from semen of despised water. Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul; and He gave you hearing, sight and hearts. Little is the thanks you give.

Surah 32 As-Sajdah Verses 7-9

• ‘…creation of man from clay’- When the human body is examined today, many elements present on the earth are also discovered to be found in the human body. Living tissues contain 95% carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur, with a total of 26 different elements. The information revealed in the Quran 1,400 years ago confirms what modern science tells us - the fact that the same elements as those found in the soil are employed in the human creation.

خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٖ وَٰحِدَةٖ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ ثَمَٰنِيَةَ أَزۡوَٰجٖۚ يَخۡلُقُكُمۡ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡ خَلۡقٗا مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ خَلۡقٖ فِي ظُلُمَٰتٖ ثَلَٰثٖۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۖ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصۡرَفُونَ ٦ [الزمر:6-6]

He created you from a single person (Adam, pbuh); then made from him his wife (Hawwa, Eve). And He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs. He creates you in the womb of your mothers, creation after creation in three veils of darkness. Such is Allah your Lord. His is the kingdom. La ilaha illa hua (none has the right to be worshipped but He). How then are you turned away?

Surah 39 Az-Zumar Verse 6

• ‘…three veils of darkness’ - Kindly refer Verse 22:5-6 earlier
• ‘…creation after creation’ - It is believed that this verse pointed to the fact that during the stages of creation we passed through three different phases of development. The three stages being referred to are:

1- The pre-embryonic stage: This stage is called the ‘first trimester’. As the cells multiply, they get organized in three layers; this process takes two weeks.
2- The embryonic stage: Basic organs begin to emerge from the cell layers. This stage is referred to as the ‘second trimester’ extending from the second week to the eighth week.
3- The fetus stage: The face, hands and feet appear and the human figure is formed. This is the ‘third trimester’ that extends from the 8^th week until birth.

The history of the concept of development in stages has already been discussed in Verse 23: 12-14 earlier (Part B)

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطۡفَةٖ ثُمَّ مِنۡ عَلَقَةٖ ثُمَّ يُخۡرِجُكُمۡ طِفۡلٗا ثُمَّ لِتَبۡلُغُوٓاْ أَشُدَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُواْ شُيُوخٗاۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ مِن قَبۡلُۖ وَلِتَبۡلُغُوٓاْ أَجَلٗا مُّسَمّٗى وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ ٦٧ [غافر:67-67]

It is He Who has created you from dust, then from a Nutfah then from a clot, then brings you forth as an infant, then to reach the age of full strength, and afterwards to be old – though some among you die before – and that you reach an appointed term in order that you may understand.

Surah 40 Ghafir Verse 67

• Kindly refer Verse 23:12-14 and Verse 32:7-9 earlier (Part B).

وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ بِوَٰلِدَيۡهِ إِحۡسَٰنًاۖ حَمَلَتۡهُ أُمُّهُۥ كُرۡهٗا وَوَضَعَتۡهُ كُرۡهٗاۖ وَحَمۡلُهُۥ وَفِصَٰلُهُۥ ثَلَٰثُونَ شَهۡرًاۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ وَبَلَغَ أَرۡبَعِينَ سَنَةٗ قَالَ رَبِّ أَوۡزِعۡنِيٓ أَنۡ أَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَيَّ وَأَنۡ أَعۡمَلَ صَٰلِحٗا تَرۡضَىٰهُ وَأَصۡلِحۡ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِيٓۖ إِنِّي تُبۡتُ إِلَيۡكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ ١٥ [الأحقاف:15-15]

And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship. And she brings him forth with hardship, and the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till when he attains full strength and reaches forty years, he says: ‘My Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your favour which You bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds, such as please You, and make my offspring good. Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly I am one of the Muslims (submitting to your Will)’.

Surah 46 Al-Ahqaf Verse 15

• …and reaches forty years - For many years scientists used to believe that our brain stopped physically evolving in early childhood but new research has shown that it keeps changing well into middle age. By using the latest scanning technology, brain scans have shown that prefrontal cortex – the area just behind our forehead – continues to change shape in our 30s and 40s. The discovery is particularly significant as the prefrontal cortex is a key area of the brain and is often thought to be the key to what makes us human. It is said to be involved with decision making, social interaction and many other personality traits. Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a neuroscientist at University College London, revealed the new thinking by saying: ‘Until about 10 years ago we pretty much assumed that the human brain stopped developing in early childhood. But we now understand from brain imaging that that is far from the truth and that many human brains keep on developing for many decades’. ‘The area of the brain that goes through the most protracted development is the prefrontal cortex right at the front of the brain. It is the part of the brain that is involved in high cognitive function such as decision making, planning and social behavior. It is also to do with understanding other people’, confirmed Sarah. She further says ‘It starts developing in early childhood, is reorganized in late adolescence and continues developing well into the 30s and 40s'.

A brain scan which illustrates the activity in the forehead area (in yellow), this area is responsible for human’s personality, scientists say. The researchers used the functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) which is a type of specialized MRI scan. It measures the hemodynamic response (change in blood flow) related to neural activity in the brain or spinal cord of humans. It is one of the most recently developed forms of neuroimaging.

It is pertinent to note that the prayer which is made by the believer at forty years of age is a reflection of characteristics of gratitude, righteous conduct, desire for good, repentance, and understanding – all of which are attributes which have their origin in the prefrontal cortex part of the brain, as laid down by the scientist above.

مَّثَلُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِي وُعِدَ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَۖ فِيهَآ أَنۡهَٰرٞ مِّن مَّآءٍ غَيۡرِ ءَاسِنٖ وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ مِّن لَّبَنٖ لَّمۡ يَتَغَيَّرۡ طَعۡمُهُۥ وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ مِّنۡ خَمۡرٖ لَّذَّةٖ لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ وَأَنۡهَٰرٞ مِّنۡ عَسَلٖ مُّصَفّٗىۖ وَلَهُمۡ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَمَغۡفِرَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡۖ كَمَنۡ هُوَ خَٰلِدٞ فِي ٱلنَّارِ وَسُقُواْ مَآءً حَمِيمٗا فَقَطَّعَ أَمۡعَآءَهُمۡ ١٥ [محمّـد:15-15]

The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqun (the pious) have been promised (is that) in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of milk of which the taste never changes, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure); therein for them is every kind of fruit, and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell forever in the Fire and be given to drink boiling water so that it cuts up their bowels?

Surah 47 Muhammad Verse 15

• …cuts up their bowels - It has been found out that the abdominal cavity is lined with Peritoneum which is fed through the wall nerves feeding the skin, and the muscles of chest and abdomen. These nerves are affected by touch and heat.  The viscera have no nerves for pain or sensation.  Therefore, when the abdominal wall is anaesthetized locally, and the abdomen is open, no sensation of pain or disturbance is felt in the intestines if held, cut or even burned.  But when the intestines are cut or perforated for any reason, its contents come out into the cavity surrounding the viscera, and which is rich in sensitive nerves, the pain is then very severe and the abdomen of the patient is in a state called Board like Rigidity.  It is an emergency surgical state that requires immediate operation.
• The Holy Quran threatens the unbelievers of hot water that tears their bowels. The reasoning underlying this threat has recently become evident.  It has been discovered that intestines are not affected with heat. But if they are cut, hot water therein comes out into the peritoneum which is fed through the wall nerves feeding the skin, and the muscles of chest and abdomen.  These nerves are affected with touch or heat, so the hot water, after intestines are cut, causes the highest degrees of pain.

وَأَنَّهُۥ خَلَقَ ٱلزَّوۡجَيۡنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلۡأُنثَىٰ ٤٥ مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ إِذَا تُمۡنَىٰ ٤٦ [الـنحـم:45-46]

And that He (Allah) creates the pairs, male and female, from Nutfah when it is emitted.

Surah 53 An-Najm Verse 45-46

• The Quran says that the ‘emitted drop’ determines the sex of a human baby. It is common knowledge that semen is the fluid that is ejaculated by males during sexual acts. Females do not possess such emitted semen.

The point is that the sex of the baby, whether it is male or female, will indeed be determined by the ‘ejaculated drop’, i.e. the father’s sperm. It has been scientifically established only recently that the female ovum contains only X-chromosomes. If the ejaculated drop bears the Y chromosome, the offspring will be male; otherwise, the offspring will be female. No one living at the time of Muhammad had any knowledge of such genetics foretold centuries before in the Quran.

أَيَحۡسَبُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ أَلَّن نَّجۡمَعَ عِظَامَهُۥ ٣ بَلَىٰ قَٰدِرِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّسَوِّيَ بَنَانَهُۥ ٤ [الـقـيامـة:3-4]

Does man (a disbeliever) think that We shall not assemble his bones? Yes, We are able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers.

Surah 75 Al-Qiyamah Verse 3-4

• This emphasis on tips of his fingers has a very special meaning; this is because every one's finger print is unique to himself, every person who is alive or who has ever lived in this world, has a set of unique finger prints, that is why the finger prints are accepted as a very important identity exclusive to the owner, and it is used for this purpose around the World. Let’s see some scientific facts about fingerprints:

• Finger prints are formed in the embryo at the fourth month, and remain fixed and distinct all along man’s life.

• Finger prints are a record of curvatures that arise due to the fusion between the epidermis with the dermis.

• These curvatures differ from one person to another, and they never match or correspond among all humans.

• Finger prints have become the best method to identify persons.  In 858, the English Scientist, William Herschel, pointed out that finger prints differ with the difference of their holders, thus rendering them as distinctive feature evidence for each person.

Physicians conducted wide anatomical studies on a large number of people of different nationalities and ages, and they were confronted with the scientific fact to which they bowed their heads, and in submission they testified that no one is ever able to make similar all finger prints scattering all over the universe not even among two persons.

Here it is noticed that the verse speaks also of the recreation of all finger tips, and not only one.  The word fingertips refer to all hand fingers. So, shaping them again after being scattered all over the universe on Resurrection Day is a sign of Allah’s Almighty Power.  This is but one side of Allah’s ability to resurrect people on Doomsday with their identifiable parts after annihilation.

Therefore, it is not surprising that fingertips are one of Allah’s signs that contain the secret of His creation, and certify to the entity of the person without any confusion, thus becoming the most genuine testimony in this world and the Hereafter.  The finger print is also a demonstration of Allah’s greatness of shaping such lines on a very small space no more than few square centimeters.

أَيَحۡسَبُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ أَن يُتۡرَكَ سُدًى ٣٦ أَلَمۡ يَكُ نُطۡفَةٗ مِّن مَّنِيّٖ يُمۡنَىٰ ٣٧ ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلَقَةٗ فَخَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ ٣٨ فَجَعَلَ مِنۡهُ ٱلزَّوۡجَيۡنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلۡأُنثَىٰٓ ٣٩ أَلَيۡسَ ذَٰلِكَ بِقَٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يُحۡـِۧيَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ ٤٠ [الـقـيامـة:36-40]

Does man think that he will be left neglected? Was he not a Nutfah emitted? Then he became an Alaqah (a clot); then (Allah) shaped and fashioned (him) in due proportion. And made of him two sexes, male and female. Is not He Able to give life to the dead?

Surah 75 Al-Qiyamah Verse 36-40

• Kindly refer Verse 23:12-14 earlier (Part B).

هَلۡ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡإِنسَٰنِ حِينٞ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهۡرِ لَمۡ يَكُن شَيۡ‍ٔٗا مَّذۡكُورًا ١ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ أَمۡشَاجٖ نَّبۡتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ سَمِيعَۢا بَصِيرًا ٢ [الإنسان:1-2]

Has there not been over man a period of time, when he was not a thing worth mentioning? Verily, We have created man from Nutfah, in order to try him, so We made him hearer and seer.

Surah 76 Al-Insan Verses 1-2

• Kindly refer Verse 16:4 earlier (Part B).

أَلَمۡ نَخۡلُقكُّم مِّن مَّآءٖ مَّهِينٖ ٢٠ فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ فِي قَرَارٖ مَّكِينٍ ٢١ إِلَىٰ قَدَرٖ مَّعۡلُومٖ ٢٢ فَقَدَرۡنَا فَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡقَٰدِرُونَ ٢٣ [الـمرسلات:20-23]

Did We not create you from a despised water? Then We placed it in a place of safety (womb), for a known period (gestation)? So, We did measure; and We are the Best to measure.

Surah 77 Al-Mursalat Verses 20-23

• Kindly refer Verse 16:4 earlier (Part B).

مِنۡ أَيِّ شَيۡءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ ١٨ مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ خَلَقَهُۥ فَقَدَّرَهُۥ ١٩ ثُمَّ ٱلسَّبِيلَ يَسَّرَهُۥ ٢٠ [عبس:18-20]

From what thing did He create him? From Nutfah He created him and then set him in due proportion. Then He makes the path easy for him.

Surah 80 Abasa Verses 18-20

• Kindly refer Verse 16:4 earlier (Part B).

فَلۡيَنظُرِ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ ٥ خُلِقَ خُلِقَ مِن مَّآءٖ ٦ دَافِقٖ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ ٱلصُّلۡبِ ٧ [الـطارق:5-7]

So, let man see from what he is created! He is created from a water gushing forth, Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.

Surah 86 At-Tariq Verses 5-7

• ‘Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs’ - This refers to embroyological development of gonads (testes & ovaries) inside mothers’ womb. A structure called “Intermediate mesoderm” is formed on each side of vertebral column (spine). Then it differentiates into 3 parts:

1 Pronephros on each side of spine of neck (neck region) of developing baby (embryo). It dissolves off & does not make any important structure in fully developed human baby.

2 Mesonephros is part of ‘intermediate mesoderm’ between spine & ribs (thoracic region) on each side. It develops lots of tubules (see picture) which later form testes; and sperms are formed in these tubules. Then testes migrate (proceeds) downwards from here to its final place, scrotum. In some premature babies, testes are un-descended completely and are found in abdomen and have to be surgically corrected.

3 Metanephros is part of ‘intermediate mesoderm’ on each side of abdominal spine of developing baby. It also forms tubules and develops into kidneys. Kidneys are in pelvis of developing baby. Then they ascend to reach final position in upper abdomen.

You can see ‘mesonephros’ lying under ribs in picture below. This mesonephros becomes testes in baby-boy & ovaries in baby-girls.

Not only is the origin of the gonads in the place the Quran describes, but even in adulthood, the nerve supply, the blood supply and the lymph drainage remain connected to the area cited in the Quran as being between the vertebral column and the ribs, and being the origin of the gushing fluid.

Those who insist that Muhammad (pbuh) wrote the Quran are attributing more knowledge to him than any man could have possibly possessed at the time of the revelation of the Quran.

أَرَءَيۡتَ إِن كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ ١٣ أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَم بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرَىٰ ١٤ كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمۡ يَنتَهِ لَنَسۡفَعَۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ ١٥ نَاصِيَةٖ كَٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٖ ١٦ [الـعلق:13-16]

Have you seen if he (Abu Jahl) denies and turns away? Knows he not that Allah sees (what he does)? Nay! If he ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock – A lying, sinful forelock!

Surah 96 Al-Alaq Verses 13-16

• Kindly refer Verse 11:56 earlier (Part B).

COMMENTS FROM VARIOUS SCHOLARS

‘… It follows, I think, that not only there is no conflict between genetics and religion but, in fact, religion can guide science by adding revelation to some of the traditional scientific approaches, that there exist statements in the Quran shown centuries later to be valid, which support knowledge in the Quran having been derived from God’.

(Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Molecular and Human Genetics)

‘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. As I gave the example before, if I were to transpose myself into that era, knowing what I knew today and describing things, I could not describe the things which were described…So I see nothing here in conflict with the concept that divine intervention was involved in what he [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] was able to write’.

(Dr. E. Marshall Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Anatomy and Developmental Biology at Thomas Jefferson University)

‘In a relatively few aayahs [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’.

(Gerald C. Goeringer, Associate Professor of Medical Embryology at Georgetown University)

‘It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Qur'an about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to [Prophet] Muhammad [pbuh] from God, or Allah, because most of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that [Prophet] Muhammad [pbuh] must have been a messenger of God, or Allah’.

(Dr. Keith L. Moore, Professor Emeritus, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Toronto. Distinguished embryologist and the author of several medical textbooks)

‘... Because the staging of human embryos is complex, owing to the continuous process of change during development, it is proposed that a new system of classification could be developed using the terms mentioned in the Qur'an and Sunnah. The proposed system is simple, comprehensive, and conforms with present embryological knowledge’.

(Dr. Keith L. Moore, Professor Emeritus, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Toronto)

‘The intensive studies of the Qur'an and Hadith in the last four years have revealed a system of classifying human embryos that is amazing since it was recorded in the seventh century A.D... The descriptions in the Qur'an cannot be based on scientific knowledge in the seventh century...’

(Dr. Keith L. Moore, Professor Emeritus, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Toronto)

‘…There are too many accuracies [in the Qur'an] and, like Dr. Moore, I have no difficulty in my mind that this is a divine inspiration or revelation which led him to these statements’.

(Dr. T. V. N. Persaud, Professor of Anatomy, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Reproductive Sciences at the University of Manitoba)

‘The Qur’an came several centuries ago, confirming what we discovered. This indicates that the Qur'an is the word of God’.

(Prof. Joly Sumson, Professor in Gynecology and Obstetrics)

‘… I believe that everything mentioned in the Qur'an 1400 years ago is true and can be proven by scientific methods… This must be by inspiration from God, or Allah, Who knows all science. Thus, I believe that this is the time to say: “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”.

(Prof. Tejatat Tejasen, Head of the Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand)