The creation and reproduction of human in light of Quran

Introduction

God has let us know from the Quran that He has created the human being from dust (turaab)/clay (teen), which may not be fully understandable to us being special but has been made clear to us through the example of the creation of Jesus being the same of that of Adam that we may reflect, while He has defined human reproduction to be effected by a series of processes being the starting point is the fertilization of an ovule which has detached itself from the ovary. It takes place in the Fallopian tubes half-way through the menstrual cycle. The fertilizing agent is the male sperm, is more specifically a spermatozoon. To ensure fertilization an infinitely small quantity of spermatic liquid containing a large number of spermatozoons is required. This liquid is produced by the testicles and temporarily stored in a system of reservoirs and canals that finally lead into the urinary tract, while other glands contribute their own additional secretions to the sperm.

The implantation of the egg fertilized by this process takes place at a precise spot in the female reproductive system: it descends into the uterus via a Fallopian tube and lodges in the body of the uterus where it soon implants itself by insertion into the thickness of the mucosa and of the muscle, once the placenta has been formed. But if the implantation of the fertilized egg takes place in the Fallopian tubes instead of in the uterus, pregnancy is interrupted.

Once the embryo begins to be observable to the naked eye, it looks like a small of flesh at the center of which the appearance of a human being is at first indistinguishable. It grows there in progressive stages which are very well known today; they lead to the bone structure, the muscles, the nervous system, the circulation, and the viscerae etc.

These notions will serve as the terms of references against which the statement in the Quran on reproduction are to be compared, while along with the very general observation, the text of the Quran draws attention to several points concerning reproduction which might be listed as follows:

Fertilization is performed by only a very small volume of liquid.
The constituents of the fertilizing liquid.
The implantation of the fertilized egg.
The evolution of the embryo.

Fertilization is performed by only a very small volume of liquid

Fertilization is performed by a spermatic liquid is coded in the Arabic word, nut’fatin in the Quran, which is a small volume of liquid needed in the fertilization process has references in the following verses of the Quran:

[16:4] He has created the human from a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin), then he is a clear opponent.

[18:37] His friend said to him while he was talking to him, “Have you disbelieved in One who has created you from dust (turaabin), then from a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin), then He has shaped you to 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.

[23:13] Then we placed him as a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatan) in a firmly established lodging (qaraarin mikeenin).

[23:14] Then we created the small volume of liquid/the semen (al-nut’fata) to a clinging/embryo (`alaqatan), then we created the clinging/embryo (al-`alaqata) to a chewed flesh/fetus (mudghatan), then we created the chewed flesh/fetus (al-mudghata) to bones (`izaaman), then we covered the bones (al-`izaama) with an intact flesh/muscle (lahman), thus, we have produced it another (aahkara) creation . So blessed is God, the best Creator.

[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.

[36:77] Does the human not see that we have created him from a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin), then he is a clear opponent?

[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 reach your maturity; and among you someone may die before and that you may reach a specified term, and that you may understand.

[53:46] From a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin) when it is ejected.

[75:37] Was he not a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin) from a small volume of liquid/semen (maniyyin) is ejected?

[76:2] Indeed, we have created the human from a mixture of a small volume of liquid/semen (nut’fatin am’shaajin) to test him, so we gave him hearing and seeing.

[80:19] From a small volume of liquid /semen (nut’fatin) He created him, then He proportioned him.

The constituents of the fertilizing liquid

Spermatic liquid is formed by the various secretions which come from the following glands:

These are mixtures or mingled liquids which the Quran has referred in the following verses:

[32:8] Then He has made his progeny from an extract (sulaalatin) of despised liquid (maain maheenin).

[76:2] Indeed, we have created the human from mixtures of liquid (nut’fatin am’shaajin) that we can test him. So we have made for him hearing and sight.

[77:20] Did we not create you from a despicable liquid (maain maheenin)?

[86:6] He has been created from an ejected liquid (maain daafiqin).

Implantation of the fertilized egg

The organ which harbors the pregnancy is qualified in the Quran by word in Arabic to signify the uterus, while there are also references of it to be a firmly established lodging. The implantation of the egg in the uterus (womb) is the result of the development of villosities, veritable elongations of egg, which like roots in the soil, draw nourishment from the thickness of the uterus necessary to the egg’s growth. These formations make the egg literally cling to the uterus, is a discovery of modern times, and the act of clinging is described in the following verses of the Quran:

[75:37] Was he not a small volume of liquid (nut’fatin) from a drop of semen (maniyyin) is ejected?

[77:21] Then we have placed him in a firmly established lodging (qaraarin makeenin).

[96:2] He created the human from a clinging/embryo (`alaqin).

The evolution of the embryo inside the uterus

The embryo is initially a small ball. At certain stage in its development, it looks to the naked eye like chewed flesh. The bone structure develops inside this mass in what is called mesenchyma. The bones that are formed covered in muscle. It is known how certain parts appear to be completely out of proportion during embryonic development with what is later to become individual distinguishing male or female, while others remain in proportion.

However, the egg being clung to the uterus passes through the stage of chewed flesh, then osseous tissue appears and is clad in flesh. The Quranic description of certain stages in the development of the embryo corresponds exactly to what we today know about it as found in the following verses:

[39:6] He has created you from one soul, then He has made its mate from it. And He has sent down for you eight kinds of livestock. He creates you in wombs (butuuni) of your mothers, creation after creation through trimesters of darkness (zulumaatin thalaathin). That is God your Lord; to Him belongs the dominion. There is no god except He. Then how are you deviated.

[53:32] Those who avoid gross sins and evil thoughts, except for minor faults; indeed, the forgiveness of your Lord is immense. He is Knower of you when He created you from the earth and when you were fetuses (ajinnatun) in wombs (butuuni) of your mothers. So, you do not assign uprightness to yourselves; He is Knower of whoever has feared.

[53:45] And that He has created the pair (al-zawjayni) – the male and the female.

[71:14] And indeed, He has created you in stages (at’waaran).

[75:38] Then he has been a clinging/embryo (`alaqatan), then He has created as He has designed (sawwaa).

[75:39] Then He has made of him the pair (al-zawjayni) – the male and the female.

[82:6] O mankind, what has deceived you of your Lord, the Honorable,

[82:7] Who has created you as He has designed you (sawwaaka), then He has proportioned you (`adalaka)?

[82:8] In whatever shape (suuratin) that He has willed has made you (rakkabaka).

Conclusion

Human reproduction is referred in several dozen verses of the Quran in various contexts. It is explained through statements which deal with one or more specific points. When the verses are assembled give us a general idea as well as precise mechanisms describing clearly defined stages in reproduction. Thus, we are blessed to be able to understand complex mechanisms through modern knowledge by appropriate interpreting what has been described to be accurate and exact in the Quran more than 1400 years ago. Since God has created us and has given us good shape and knowledge that we do not be ungrateful to Him in denying His religion given us that we can improve us through striving for Him:

[6:98] And He is the One who initiated you from one person with a place of dwelling and destination. Thus, we have explained the signs to a people who understand.

[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.

Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (08/16/2024).