Introduction
The Quran has given details on the creation of human and his reproduction on the earth. The verses in the Quran referred to the complex process of human reproduction can be understood it accurate and exact through modern knowledge by appropriate interpreting the verses found throughout the Quran. God has created human from earth specially from dust and clay, which may not be fully understandable to us being it special but has been made it clear to us through the example of the creation of Jesus being the same of that of Adam that we may reflect, while we may also reflect to our descent to the earth that we have to make our efforts on it for our right return to Him. Thus, our concern about our lives being involved with the worlds of the Beforehere (before the earth), Here (on the earth) and the Hereafter (after the earth getting into it through death) may help us better understand our creation and the first life as found in the Quran when our common understanding that mankind is created from earth.
Creation of human from dust and clay
There is no easy way to get a clear idea on the creation of human unless the verses dealing with the subject scattered throughout the Quran are gathered. Thus, here are the details of the verses in the Quran describing the creation of human from dust and clay with a hint of his reproduction being housed in the mother’s wombs that the human may be grateful to his Lord:
[3:59] Indeed, the example of Jesus with God is like the example of Adam; He created him from dust (turaabin), then He said to him “Be” so he was.
[6:2] He is One who created you from clay (teenin), then He decreed a term and a specified term with Him, yet you deny.
[6:98] And He is One who initiated you from a single soul, then to be a place of dwelling and resting. Certainly, we have explained the signs for a people to understand.
[7:12] He (God) said: “What has prevented you (Satan) that you do not prostrate when I commanded you?” He said: “I am far better than him; You created me from fire and You created him (Adam) from clay (teenin)!”
[15:26] And certainly, we created the human from a hardened clay (salsaalin) of altered black mud (hama-in).
[15:28] And when your Lord said to the angels: “Indeed, I am creating human from a hardened clay (salsaalin) of altered black mud (hama-in).”
[15:33] He (Satan) said, “I am not to prostrate to human, whom You (God) created from a hardened clay (salsaalin) of altered black mud (hama-in).”
[17:61] And we said to the angels: “Prostrate to Adam.” So they prostrated except for Satan. He said: “Should I prostrate to whom You created from clay (teenan)!”
[18:37] His friend said to him while he was talking to him, “Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dust (turaabin), then from a small volume of liquid/semen (nutfatin), then shaped you into a man?”
[22:5] O mankind, if you are in doubt of the resurrection, then we have created you from dust (turaabin), then from a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin), then from clinging/embryo (`alaqatin), then from chewed flesh/fetus (mudghatin) developed and undeveloped that we may make clear to you. And we cause to remain in the wombs that we wish for an appointed time, then we bring you out as child, then that you may reach your maturity; and of you someone is passed away, and of you someone is returned to an old age that he may not know anything after having knowledge. And you see the land is barren, then when we send down the water to it, it has stirred and has swollen and has grown from every beautiful kind.
[23:12] Indeed, we have created mankind from a shape of clay (teenin).
[30:20] And of His signs is that He created you from dust (turaabin), then you are human beings spreading out.
[32:7] (God) is One who made everything perfect He created and He began creation of mankind from clay (teenin).
[32:8] Then He has made his progeny from an extract (sulaalatin) of despised liquid (maain maheenin).
[32:9] He has shaped him and has breathed into him from His spirit. And He has made for you the hearing, the eyesight, and the understanding; rarely are you thankful.
[35:11] And God created you from dust (turaabin), then from a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin), as He made you pairs. And no female conceives nor does she give birth without His knowledge. No person’s life is extended, nor is shortened from his life except as in a record. Indeed, that is easy for God.
[37:11] So you shall ask them: “Are they a stronger creation, or whom we have created?” Indeed, we have created them from the adherent clay (teenin).
[38:71] When your Lord said to the angels: “Indeed, I am creating human from clay (teenin).”
[38:76] He (Satan) said: “I am better than he (Adam); You created me from fire, and You created him from clay (teenin).”
[40:67] He is the One who has created you from dust (turaabin), then from a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin), then from a clinging/embryo (`alaqatin), then He brings you out as child, then that you may reach your maturity; and among you someone may die before and that you may reach a specified term, and that you may understand.
[55:14] He has created the human from a hardened clay (salsaalin) like the pottery
Mathematical confirmation
The creation of human from dust and clay is found in 21 verses across 15 surahs in the Quran, and if the relevant verse and surah numbers are added, the sum is a multiple of 19 -> 1045 (19x55) as shown in the table below:
Note: This mathematical confirmation is an explicit proof for us not to have any doubt that God has created human from dust and clay having interlocking condition between creation and reproduction on the earth.
The first life of human and his descent to the earth
It has been repeatedly mentioned in the Quran that God is Lord of the worlds, while the descent of human from another world to the earth has been described in it as well. Here is a highlight about the first life of human in another world and his descent from that to this world reflecting to the two deaths for the disbelievers to be certain about it what they would realize it in the Hereafter in another world when they meet their Lord, while there is only one death for the believers, which is the first death for all that took place in our first life:
[2:38] We said, “Go down you all from here. Then when guidance comes to you from Me, so whoever has followed My guidance, then there is no fear for them, nor will they grieve.
[20:123] He said, “Go down you all from here, of you as enemy to other. Then when guidance comes to you from Me, so whoever has followed My guidance, then he will not go astray nor will he suffer.
[40:11] They said, “Our Lord, You have given us death twice and You have given us life twice; so we have confessed of our sins, then is there any way towards exit?”
[44:56] They would not taste the death in here, except the first death, and He has protected them from a punishment of the Hellfire.
Conclusion
From the review of the verses in the Quran referred to human reproduction we have understood complex process by appropriate interpreting through modern knowledge what has been described in the Quran is accurate and exact, which was unknown at the time of revelation of it, even the centuries that followed. But reviewing the verses in the Quran referred to creation of human from dust/clay is an opportunity for us to understand it so far our knowledge goes as well as confirming it having explicit proof being it special as per God’s knowledge, which God has made it clear citing the example of the creation of Jesus being the same of that of Adam. In addition, the reflection to the verses related to the first life concerning our lives to be involved with the different worlds would help us better understand it that we may succeed in the Hereafter to enjoy the eternal happiness being grateful to our Lord through our striving for Him in the life of this world. Thus, He has taught us that we may implore Him, “Our Lord, give us goodness in the world, and goodness in the Hereafter, and save us from a punishment of the Fire.”
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (08/23/2024).