Embryology in the Quran - Revision history

Lightyears: Further language improvements

2025-12-05T01:43:52Z

Further language improvements

Lightyears: /* External Links */

2025-11-23T22:50:58Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:50, 23 November 2025
Line 288:		Line 288:

	*[https://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com Embryology in the Quran: Much Ado about Nothing] ''- Captain Disguise and Martin Taverille''		*[https://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com Embryology in the Quran: Much Ado about Nothing] ''- Captain Disguise and Martin Taverille''
	*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4EIapJ7Ivk Greco-Roman Embryology in the Quran Part I], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYpxz63E8Y Part II], and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dUhNSFmBQM Part III] - The Urdu Free Thinker - Youtube.com (videos)		*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4EIapJ7Ivk Greco-Roman Embryology in the Quran Part I], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYpxz63E8Y Part II], and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dUhNSFmBQM Part III] - ''The Urdu Free Thinker - Youtube.com (videos)''
			*[https://islamrevealed0.wordpress.com/scientific-blunders/refuting-scientific-miracles/embryology-miracle-surah-2314/ Embryology Miracle/Surah 23:14] ''- Islam Revealed blog'' (refutation with translated screenshots of tafsirs, arab dictionaries etc.)
	*[http://web.archive.org/web/20060214032231/http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html Quranic Embryology (archive)] ''- Dr. Yusuf Needham and Dr. Butrus Needbeer, FreeThought Mecca''		*[http://web.archive.org/web/20060214032231/http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html Quranic Embryology (archive)] ''- Dr. Yusuf Needham and Dr. Butrus Needbeer, FreeThought Mecca''
	*[http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/embryo.html Embryology in the Quran] ''- Dr. Lactantius, Answering Islam''		*[http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/embryo.html Embryology in the Quran] ''- Dr. Lactantius, Answering Islam''
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040710/http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/11/23/islamic-embryology-overblown-b/ Islamic embryology: overblown balderdash (archive)] ''- Dr. PZ Myers' response to Hamza Andreas Tzortzis’ paper, Embryology in the Quran''		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040710/http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/11/23/islamic-embryology-overblown-b/ Islamic embryology: overblown balderdash (archive)] ''- Dr. PZ Myers' response to Hamza Andreas Tzortzis’ paper, Embryology in the Quran''


	==References==		==References==

Lightyears: Automated script replacing USC-MSA hadith numbering system for Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud

2025-11-11T22:39:21Z

Automated script replacing USC-MSA hadith numbering system for Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 11 November 2025
Line 219:		Line 219:

	In an alternative approach, apologists interpret 75:39 to mean that the external genitalia and gonads are formed after the 'alaqah stage, knowing that the gender of the child has already been determined genetically at the moment of conception as stated above. However, this approach not only ignores the other two verses already mentioned, but there are hadith even more explicit than Quran 75:37-39 which say that gender is decided after the mudghah stage.<ref>Narrated Anas bin Malik:<br>		In an alternative approach, apologists interpret 75:39 to mean that the external genitalia and gonads are formed after the 'alaqah stage, knowing that the gender of the child has already been determined genetically at the moment of conception as stated above. However, this approach not only ignores the other two verses already mentioned, but there are hadith even more explicit than Quran 75:37-39 which say that gender is decided after the mudghah stage.<ref>Narrated Anas bin Malik:<br>
	The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "At every womb Allah appoints an angel who says, 'O Lord! A drop of semen, O Lord! A clot. O Lord! A little lump of flesh." Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord!) Will it be a male or female, a wretched or a blessed, and how much will his provision be? And what will his age be?' So all that is written while the child is still in the mother's womb."<br>{{Bukhari\|1\|6\|~~315~~}}</ref>		The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "At every womb Allah appoints an angel who says, 'O Lord! A drop of semen, O Lord! A clot. O Lord! A little lump of flesh." Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord!) Will it be a male or female, a wretched or a blessed, and how much will his provision be? And what will his age be?' So all that is written while the child is still in the mother's womb."<br>{{Bukhari\|\|\|318\|darussalam}}</ref>

	=====Intersex People=====		=====Intersex People=====

Lightyears at 22:04, 6 August 2025

2025-08-06T22:04:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:04, 6 August 2025
Line 121:		Line 121:

	====Congealed Blood====		====Congealed Blood====
	One of the meanings of 'alaqah is congealed blood, which was also the understanding given in numerous tafsirs, as detailed above. The Arab poet al-Nabigha alja'di النابغة الجعدي (died c.670 AD) was a contemporary of Muhammad and uses the word blood (al dam الدم) in exactly the same context in a poem about Allah.~~<ref>~~		One of the meanings of 'alaqah is congealed blood, which was also the understanding given in numerous tafsirs, as detailed above. The Arab poet al-Nabigha alja'di النابغة الجعدي (died c.670 AD) was a contemporary of Muhammad and uses the word blood (al dam الدم) in exactly the same context in a poem about Allah.

	{{Quote-text\|{{cite web\|url= http://poetsgate.com/poem_14021.html\|title= الحمد لله لا شريك له\|publisher= PoetsGate (Arabic)\|author= \|date= February 15, 2007\|archiveurl= http://archive.is/6XW6e\|deadurl=no}}\|الخـالق البـارئ المصـور في الأرحام ماء حتى يصير دما		{{Quote-text\|{{cite web\|url= http://poetsgate.com/poem_14021.html\|title= الحمد لله لا شريك له\|publisher= PoetsGate (Arabic)\|author= \|date= February 15, 2007\|archiveurl= http://archive.is/6XW6e\|deadurl=no}}\|الخـالق البـارئ المصـور في الأرحام ماء حتى يصير دما
	<br>Translation: The creator, the maker, the fashioner, in the wombs water until it becomes blood}}		<br>Translation: The creator, the maker, the fashioner, in the wombs water until it becomes blood}}
	Water (maa') is used here as a euphemism for semen, just as we sometimes find in the Quran and hadiths (see above).~~</ref>~~		Water (maa') is used here as a euphemism for semen, just as we sometimes find in the Quran and hadiths (see above).

	Critics argue that for the author to use 'alaqah in any sense other than its clear biological meaning (clotted blood) in a passage about a biological process (pregnancy) would be very unlikely from the perspective of seeing the Qur'an as a divine text illuminating the knowledge of mankind, especially considering that 'alaqah was consistently understood in this way by exegetes. The usage of the 'alaqah would then be seen as a failure to "clearly" convey the actual knowledge the author allegedly possessed if this was not the intended meaning.		Critics argue that for the Quran's author to use 'alaqah in any sense other than its clear biological meaning (clotted blood) in a passage about a biological process (pregnancy) would be very unlikely from the perspective of seeing the Qur'an as a divine text illuminating the knowledge of mankind, especially considering that 'alaqah was consistently understood in this way by exegetes. The usage of the 'alaqah would then be seen as a failure to "clearly" convey the actual knowledge the author allegedly possessed if this was not the intended meaning.

	===='Alaqah in pre-Islamic poetry====		===='Alaqah in pre-Islamic poetry====

Lightyears at 00:01, 27 May 2025

2025-05-27T00:01:10Z

Asmith at 01:52, 17 May 2025

2025-05-17T01:52:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 17 May 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{#seo:
			\|title=Embryology in the Quran
			\|title_mode={{{title_mode\|}}}
			\|keywords={{{keywords\|}}}
			\|description={{{description\|}}}
			\|image=Human Embryo.jpg
			}}
	{{QualityScore\|Lead=4\|Structure=4\|Content=4\|Language=4\|References=4}}		{{QualityScore\|Lead=4\|Structure=4\|Content=4\|Language=4\|References=4}}
	[[File:Human Embryo.jpg\|thumb\|Photo of Human Embryo (7 weeks)]]		[[File:Human Embryo.jpg\|thumb\|Photo of Human Embryo (7 weeks)]]

Lightyears at 23:52, 4 October 2023

2023-10-04T23:52:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:52, 4 October 2023
Line 261:		Line 261:
	However, cell differentiation occurs throughout the embryonic stage, and even into the fetal period, for example as discussed above regarding bone and muscle development.		However, cell differentiation occurs throughout the embryonic stage, and even into the fetal period, for example as discussed above regarding bone and muscle development.

	==~~== Vs~~ Classical Commentaries ====		==Classical Commentaries==
	As mentioned in the opening section, classical commentators understood the verses ~~to confirm~~ incorrect scientific theories at the time, ~~with some examples~~ of major [https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 ~~tasfirs~~] translated into English (on Islamic websites) ~~found here:~~		As mentioned in the opening section, classical commentators understood the verses in accordance with incorrect scientific theories at the time. Critics note how naturally they did so, and that the commentaries have value as linguistic evidence for the relevant Arabic words. Two of the major [https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 tafsirs] translated into English (on Islamic websites) state the following regarding {{Quran\|23\|14}}:
	{{~~Quote~~\|~~{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/~~23~~.14~~ \| ~~name=Ibn Abbas\| title=Tasfir Ibn Abbas 23:~~14}}\|(Then fashioned We) then We transformed (the drop) into (a clot) for another forty days, (then fashioned We) then We transformed (the clot) into (a little lump) for forty days, (then fashioned We) the We transformed (the little lump) into (bones) without flesh, (then clothed the bones with flesh) joints, veins and other things, (and then produced it another creation) and then We placed in it the spirit. (So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators) the Best of Transformers!}}
	{{Quote\|{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 \| name=Ibn Kathir\| title=~~Tasfir~~ Ibn Kathir 23:14}}\|...(Then We made the Nutfah into a clot,) meaning, `then We made the Nutfah, which is the water gushing forth that comes from the loins of man, i.e., his back, and the ribs of woman, i.e., the bones of her chest, between the clavicle and the breast. Then it becomes a red clot, like an elongated clot.' `Ikrimah said, "This is blood.''		{{Quote\|{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 \| name=Ibn Kathir\| title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir 23:14}}\|...(Then We made the Nutfah into a clot,) meaning, `then We made the Nutfah, which is the water gushing forth that comes from the loins of man, i.e., his back, and the ribs of woman, i.e., the bones of her chest, between the clavicle and the breast. Then it becomes a red clot, like an elongated clot.' `Ikrimah said, "This is blood.''
	(then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh,) which is like a piece of flesh with no shape or features.		(then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh,) which is like a piece of flesh with no shape or features.
	(then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones,) meaning, `We gave it shape, with a head, two arms and two legs, with its bones, nerves and veins.'		(then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones,) meaning, `We gave it shape, with a head, two arms and two legs, with its bones, nerves and veins.'
	(then We clothed the bones with flesh,) meaning, `We gave it something to cover it and strengthen it.'		(then We clothed the bones with flesh,) meaning, `We gave it something to cover it and strengthen it.'
	(and then We brought it forth as another creation.) means, `then We breathed the soul into it, and it moved and became a new creature, one that could hear, see, understand and move.}}{{Quote\|{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 \| name=Al-Jalalayn \| title=~~Tasfir~~ Al-Jalalayn 23:14}}\|Then We transformed the drop [of semen] into a clot, congealed blood. Then We transformed the clot into a [little] lump of flesh (mudgha), a piece of flesh, about the size of what one would be able to chew (mā yumdagh). Then We transformed the lump of flesh into bones. Then We clothed the bones with flesh (a variant reading in both instances [instead of the plurals ‘izāman and al-‘izāma, ‘the bones’] is [singular] ‘azman [and ‘al-‘azma], ‘the bone’; and in all three instances above khalaqnā, means ‘We made it become’ [as opposed to ‘We created’]). Then We produced him as [yet] another creature, by breathing into him [Our] Spirit. So blessed be God, the best of creators!, that is, [the best of] determiners (the specificier noun for ahsana, ‘the best’, has been omitted because it is obvious: khalqan, ‘in terms of creation’).}}		(and then We brought it forth as another creation.) means, `then We breathed the soul into it, and it moved and became a new creature, one that could hear, see, understand and move.}}{{Quote\|{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 \| name=Al-Jalalayn \| title=Tafsir Al-Jalalayn 23:14}}\|Then We transformed the drop [of semen] into a clot, congealed blood. Then We transformed the clot into a [little] lump of flesh (mudgha), a piece of flesh, about the size of what one would be able to chew (mā yumdagh). Then We transformed the lump of flesh into bones. Then We clothed the bones with flesh (a variant reading in both instances [instead of the plurals ‘izāman and al-‘izāma, ‘the bones’] is [singular] ‘azman [and ‘al-‘azma], ‘the bone’; and in all three instances above khalaqnā, means ‘We made it become’ [as opposed to ‘We created’]). Then We produced him as [yet] another creature, by breathing into him [Our] Spirit. So blessed be God, the best of creators!, that is, [the best of] determiners (the specificier noun for ahsana, ‘the best’, has been omitted because it is obvious: khalqan, ‘in terms of creation’).}}

	==See also==		==See also==
Line 279:		Line 279:
	==External Links==		==External Links==

			*[https://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com Embryology in the Quran: Much Ado about Nothing] ''- Captain Disguise and Martin Taverille''
			*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4EIapJ7Ivk Greco-Roman Embryology in the Quran Part I], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYpxz63E8Y Part II], and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dUhNSFmBQM Part III] - The Urdu Free Thinker - Youtube.com (videos)
	*[http://web.archive.org/web/20060214032231/http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html Quranic Embryology (archive)] ''- Dr. Yusuf Needham and Dr. Butrus Needbeer, FreeThought Mecca''		*[http://web.archive.org/web/20060214032231/http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html Quranic Embryology (archive)] ''- Dr. Yusuf Needham and Dr. Butrus Needbeer, FreeThought Mecca''
	*[http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/embryo.html Embryology in the Quran] ''- Dr. Lactantius, Answering Islam''		*[http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/embryo.html Embryology in the Quran] ''- Dr. Lactantius, Answering Islam''
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040710/http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/11/23/islamic-embryology-overblown-b/ Islamic embryology: overblown balderdash (archive)] ''- Dr. PZ Myers' response to Hamza Andreas Tzortzis’ paper, Embryology in the Quran''		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040710/http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/11/23/islamic-embryology-overblown-b/ Islamic embryology: overblown balderdash (archive)] ''- Dr. PZ Myers' response to Hamza Andreas Tzortzis’ paper, Embryology in the Quran''
	*[https://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com Embryology in the Quran: Much Ado about Nothing] ''- Captain Disguise and Martin Taverille''
	*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4EIapJ7Ivk Greco-Roman Embryology in the Quran Part I], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYpxz63E8Y Part II], and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dUhNSFmBQM Part III] - The Urdu Free Thinker - Youtube.com (videos)

	==References==		==References==

CPO675: /* Scientific criticism of Quranic embryology */ I have added some of the classical commentaries confirming their incorrect understanding of the verses on embryology into the page itself, and linked the 'Embryology in Islamic Scripture' page which covers the many inaccurate hadith linking to these verses. At some point we may wish to combine the two pages.

2023-09-30T22:09:24Z

Scientific criticism of Quranic embryology: I have added some of the classical commentaries confirming their incorrect understanding of the verses on embryology into the page itself, and linked the 'Embryology in Islamic Scripture' page which covers the many inaccurate hadith linking to these verses. At some point we may wish to combine the two pages.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:09, 30 September 2023
Line 260:		Line 260:

	However, cell differentiation occurs throughout the embryonic stage, and even into the fetal period, for example as discussed above regarding bone and muscle development.		However, cell differentiation occurs throughout the embryonic stage, and even into the fetal period, for example as discussed above regarding bone and muscle development.

			==== Vs Classical Commentaries ====
			As mentioned in the opening section, classical commentators understood the verses to confirm incorrect scientific theories at the time, with some examples of major [https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 tasfirs] translated into English (on Islamic websites) found here:
			{{Quote\|{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 \| name=Ibn Abbas\| title=Tasfir Ibn Abbas 23:14}}\|(Then fashioned We) then We transformed (the drop) into (a clot) for another forty days, (then fashioned We) then We transformed (the clot) into (a little lump) for forty days, (then fashioned We) the We transformed (the little lump) into (bones) without flesh, (then clothed the bones with flesh) joints, veins and other things, (and then produced it another creation) and then We placed in it the spirit. (So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators) the Best of Transformers!}}
			{{Quote\|{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 \| name=Ibn Kathir\| title=Tasfir Ibn Kathir 23:14}}\|...(Then We made the Nutfah into a clot,) meaning, `then We made the Nutfah, which is the water gushing forth that comes from the loins of man, i.e., his back, and the ribs of woman, i.e., the bones of her chest, between the clavicle and the breast. Then it becomes a red clot, like an elongated clot.' `Ikrimah said, "This is blood.''
			(then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh,) which is like a piece of flesh with no shape or features.
			(then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones,) meaning, `We gave it shape, with a head, two arms and two legs, with its bones, nerves and veins.'
			(then We clothed the bones with flesh,) meaning, `We gave it something to cover it and strengthen it.'
			(and then We brought it forth as another creation.) means, `then We breathed the soul into it, and it moved and became a new creature, one that could hear, see, understand and move.}}{{Quote\|{{cite web\|url=https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/23.14 \| name=Al-Jalalayn \| title=Tasfir Al-Jalalayn 23:14}}\|Then We transformed the drop [of semen] into a clot, congealed blood. Then We transformed the clot into a [little] lump of flesh (mudgha), a piece of flesh, about the size of what one would be able to chew (mā yumdagh). Then We transformed the lump of flesh into bones. Then We clothed the bones with flesh (a variant reading in both instances [instead of the plurals ‘izāman and al-‘izāma, ‘the bones’] is [singular] ‘azman [and ‘al-‘azma], ‘the bone’; and in all three instances above khalaqnā, means ‘We made it become’ [as opposed to ‘We created’]). Then We produced him as [yet] another creature, by breathing into him [Our] Spirit. So blessed be God, the best of creators!, that is, [the best of] determiners (the specificier noun for ahsana, ‘the best’, has been omitted because it is obvious: khalqan, ‘in terms of creation’).}}

	==See also==		==See also==
Line 265:		Line 274:
	*[[Sources of Islamic Theories of Reproduction]]		*[[Sources of Islamic Theories of Reproduction]]
	*[[Semen Production in the Quran]]		*[[Semen Production in the Quran]]
			*[[Embryology in Islamic Scripture]]
	*[[Scientific Miracles in the Quran]]		*[[Scientific Miracles in the Quran]]

Lightyears at 23:25, 28 September 2023

2023-09-28T23:25:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:25, 28 September 2023
Line 263:		Line 263:
	==See also==		==See also==

			*[[Sources of Islamic Theories of Reproduction]]
			*[[Semen Production in the Quran]]
	*[[Scientific Miracles in the Quran]]		*[[Scientific Miracles in the Quran]]

	~~{{Hub4\|Embryology\|Embryology}}~~

	==External Links==		==External Links==

Lightyears: Rejected the last text change (by CPO675) and restored revision 137144 by Lightyears: Almost all these videos are based directly on our articles with little or no original content. The last one has useful content that will go well with the reproduction article (I will move it there). The wiki guidelines are that we try to limit to 2 external links per page, so already pushing reasonable limits here anyway.

2023-09-28T23:18:20Z

Rejected the last text change (by CPO675) and restored revision 137144 by Lightyears: Almost all these videos are based directly on our articles with little or no original content. The last one has useful content that will go well with the reproduction article (I will move it there). The wiki guidelines are that we try to limit to 2 external links per page, so already pushing reasonable limits here anyway.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 28 September 2023
Line 272:		Line 272:
	*[http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/embryo.html Embryology in the Quran] ''- Dr. Lactantius, Answering Islam''		*[http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/embryo.html Embryology in the Quran] ''- Dr. Lactantius, Answering Islam''
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040710/http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/11/23/islamic-embryology-overblown-b/ Islamic embryology: overblown balderdash (archive)] ''- Dr. PZ Myers' response to Hamza Andreas Tzortzis’ paper, Embryology in the Quran''		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121107040710/http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/11/23/islamic-embryology-overblown-b/ Islamic embryology: overblown balderdash (archive)] ''- Dr. PZ Myers' response to Hamza Andreas Tzortzis’ paper, Embryology in the Quran''
	*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUveLSqGyYc Seminal Fluid from the Backbone], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBSOVDymkcA Gender Determination], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNnRUhT2w50 Quranic Embryology], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fbTkuZX3Hw Quranic Embryology Mirroring other Religions], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2ECMl7WyUU Greek Embryology's influence on the Quran], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNMRiFsdwFw Early Arabs and Greek Knowledge] - islamwhattheydonttellyou164 - ''Youtube.com (videos)''
	*[https://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com Embryology in the Quran: Much Ado about Nothing] ''- Captain Disguise and Martin Taverille''		*[https://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com Embryology in the Quran: Much Ado about Nothing] ''- Captain Disguise and Martin Taverille''
	*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4EIapJ7Ivk Greco-Roman Embryology in the Quran Part I], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYpxz63E8Y Part II], and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dUhNSFmBQM Part III] - The Urdu Free Thinker - ''Youtube.com (videos)''		*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4EIapJ7Ivk Greco-Roman Embryology in the Quran Part I], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaYpxz63E8Y Part II], and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dUhNSFmBQM Part III] - The Urdu Free Thinker - Youtube.com (videos)

	==References==		==References==

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:01, 27 May 2025
Line 52:		Line 52:
	Embryology in the Quran is often criticised from a modern scientific perspective. More details including references are given throughout this article, but the main criticisms are as follows:		Embryology in the Quran is often criticised from a modern scientific perspective. More details including references are given throughout this article, but the main criticisms are as follows:

	#A number of verses<ref>{{Quran\|23\|13}}, {{Quran-range\|70\|20\|22}}, {{Quran-range\|80\|18\|19}} See discussion in the Nutfah Stage section.</ref> demonstrate a belief that man is created from semen itself, as a fluid which is placed in the womb for a known term, and undergoes various further stages of development (as also taught by Galen and in the Jewish Talmud). See [[Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith\|this article]] for the most comprehensive explanation and evidence. Furthermore, there is no sign that the author of the Quran was aware of the female egg (ovum).<p>In reality, a single sperm cell penetrates and fuses with the female ovum. This fertilised egg, called a zygote, is then pushed down the fallopian tube for a few days. On the way, cell division begins, and this multi-celled cluster, now called a blastocyst, implants in the uterus (womb).<ref>{{cite web\| url=https://crh.ucsf.edu/fertility/conception \| title=Conception: How it Works \| publisher=University of California San Francisco - Center for Reproductive Health \| accessdate=27 January 2019}}</ref></p>		#A number of verses<ref>{{Quran\|23\|13}}, {{Quran-range\|77\|20\|22}}, {{Quran-range\|80\|18\|19}} See discussion in the Nutfah Stage section.</ref> demonstrate a belief that man is created from semen itself, as a fluid which is placed in the womb for a known term, and undergoes various further stages of development (as also taught by Galen and in the Jewish Talmud). See [[Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith\|this article]] for the most comprehensive explanation and evidence. Furthermore, there is no sign that the author of the Quran was aware of the female egg (ovum).<p>In reality, a single sperm cell penetrates and fuses with the female ovum. This fertilised egg, called a zygote, is then pushed down the fallopian tube for a few days. On the way, cell division begins, and this multi-celled cluster, now called a blastocyst, implants in the uterus (womb).<ref>{{cite web\| url=https://crh.ucsf.edu/fertility/conception \| title=Conception: How it Works \| publisher=University of California San Francisco - Center for Reproductive Health \| accessdate=27 January 2019}}</ref></p>
	#The embryo is then said to be congealed blood. <ref>{{Quran\|23\|14}}, {{Quran\|22\|5}}, {{Quran\|40\|67}} See discussion in the 'Alaqah Stage section.</ref> All the classical [[Tafsir\|tafsirs]] (exegetical commentaries) understood the meaning of 'alaqah to be blood or congealed blood, and clotted blood is a definition of the word in classical Arabic dictionaries. Regardless of alternative meanings for this Arabic word, it does not make sense to use a word whose main definitions include an explicit biological meaning (clotted blood) in a description of a biological process (embryology) if that is not the intended meaning; certainly, from the point of divine authorship of the Qur'an, such imprecise meaning would throw into doubt the Qur'an's claim to be "clear." The choice of word now causes a well justified suspicion of inaccuracy, and for centuries misled people into thinking that the embryo is at one stage congealed blood (in reality an embryo is at no point blood nor a clot of blood<ref>{{cite web\| url=https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Timeline_human_development \| title=Timeline human development \| publisher=University of New South Wales \| author=Dr Mark Hill\| accessdate=27 January 2019}}</ref>). Similarly, for the same reason it would not make sense to use this word while intending blood clot as a mere visual analogy.		#The embryo is then said to be congealed blood. <ref>{{Quran\|23\|14}}, {{Quran\|22\|5}}, {{Quran\|40\|67}} See discussion in the 'Alaqah Stage section.</ref> All the classical [[Tafsir\|tafsirs]] (exegetical commentaries) understood the meaning of 'alaqah to be blood or congealed blood, and clotted blood is a definition of the word in classical Arabic dictionaries. Regardless of alternative meanings for this Arabic word, it does not make sense to use a word whose main definitions include an explicit biological meaning (clotted blood) in a description of a biological process (embryology) if that is not the intended meaning; certainly, from the point of divine authorship of the Qur'an, such imprecise meaning would throw into doubt the Qur'an's claim to be "clear." The choice of word now causes a well justified suspicion of inaccuracy, and for centuries misled people into thinking that the embryo is at one stage congealed blood (in reality an embryo is at no point blood nor a clot of blood<ref>{{cite web\| url=https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Timeline_human_development \| title=Timeline human development \| publisher=University of New South Wales \| author=Dr Mark Hill\| accessdate=27 January 2019}}</ref>). Similarly, for the same reason it would not make sense to use this word while intending blood clot as a mere visual analogy.
	#The Quran claims that bones are formed before being clothed with flesh.<ref>{{Quran\|23\|14}} See discussion in the Bones and Clothing with Flesh Stages section.</ref> In fact cartilage models of the bones start to form at the same time as and in parallel with surrounding muscles, and this cartilage is literally replaced with bone.<ref>See discussion and scientific references in the sub-sections to the Bones and Clothing with Flesh Stages section.</ref>		#The Quran claims that bones are formed before being clothed with flesh.<ref>{{Quran\|23\|14}} See discussion in the Bones and Clothing with Flesh Stages section.</ref> In fact cartilage models of the bones start to form at the same time as and in parallel with surrounding muscles, and this cartilage is literally replaced with bone.<ref>See discussion and scientific references in the sub-sections to the Bones and Clothing with Flesh Stages section.</ref>
Line 79:		Line 79:
	An example of nutfah usage can be found in a pre-Islamic poem where it is used to mean “the small quantity of wine that remained in a wineskin”.<ref>Irfan Shahid, “Byzantium and the Arabs in the sixth century. Volume 2, Part 2”, p.145, Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks, 2009</ref>		An example of nutfah usage can be found in a pre-Islamic poem where it is used to mean “the small quantity of wine that remained in a wineskin”.<ref>Irfan Shahid, “Byzantium and the Arabs in the sixth century. Volume 2, Part 2”, p.145, Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks, 2009</ref>

	Verses 80:18-19, and 77:20-22 together with 23:13 strongly imply that a small amount of semen is stored in the womb and developed into the embryo, as ~~confirmed in the hadiths and~~ [[Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith\|previously taught by the Greeks and in the Jewish Talmud]].		Verses 80:18-19, and 77:20-22 together with 23:13 strongly imply that a small amount of semen is stored in the womb and developed into the embryo, as seen even more clearly [[Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith\|in the hadiths and as previously taught by the Greeks and in the Jewish Talmud]].

	{{Quote\|{{Quran-range\|80\|18\|19}}\|From what ~~thing~~ [~~shayinشَىْءٍ~~] ~~doth~~ He create him? From a drop ~~of seed~~ [nutfatin نُّطْفَةٍ]. He ~~createth~~ him and ~~proportioneth~~ him}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran-range\|80\|18\|19}}\|From what substance [shayin شَىْءٍ] did He create him? From a sperm-drop [nutfatin نُّطْفَةٍ]. He created him and destined for him;}}

	{{Quote\|{{Quran~~-range~~\|77\|20\|22}}\|~~Did~~ We ~~not create you from~~ a ~~base fluid [ma~~-~~in maheenin مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ]? Which We laid up~~ [~~jaAAalnahu جَعَلْنَٰهُ~~] in a ~~safe abode~~ [qararin makeenin قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ], ~~For a known term?~~}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran\|23\|13\|14}}\|Then We placed him [jaAAalnahu جَعَلْنَٰهُ] as a sperm-drop [nutfatan نُطْفَةً] in a firm lodging [qararin makeenin قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ]; Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, [...]}}

	{{Quote\|{{Quran\|23\|13}}\|~~Then~~ placed ~~him~~ [jaAAalnahu جَعَلْنَٰهُ~~] as a drop (of seed) [nutfatan نُطْفَةً~~] in a ~~safe~~ lodging [qararin makeenin قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ];}}		{{Quote\|{{Quran-range\|77\|20\|22}}\|Did We not create you from a liquid disdained? [ma-in maheenin مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ]? And We placed it [jaAAalnahu جَعَلْنَٰهُ] in a firm lodging [qararin makeenin قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ] For a known extent.}}

	As can be seen in the above quotes, verses 77:20-21 closely parallel 23:13. Both say "We placed it (jaAAalnahu) in a ~~safe abode~~ (qararin makeen)", and one uses the word nutfah while the other uses the words maa' maheenin ('water distained'). Maa' was another common euphemism for semen. The 'hu' ending to jaAAalnahu in both verses can mean him or it, and probably means the former in 23:13 ('We placed him'). However, in 77:21 it must mean the latter ('We placed it') in reference to the liquid because the previous verse uses the 2nd person "you" and then mentions the liquid.		As can be seen in the above quotes, verses 77:20-21 closely parallel 23:13. Both say "We placed it (jaAAalnahu) in a firm lodging (qararin makeen)", and one uses the word nutfah while the other uses the words maa' maheenin ('water distained'). Maa' was another common euphemism for semen. The 'hu' ending to jaAAalnahu in both verses can mean him or it, and probably means the former in 23:13 ('We placed him'). However, in 77:21 it must mean the latter ('We placed it') in reference to the liquid because the previous verse uses the 2nd person "you" and then mentions the liquid.

	It is sometimes claimed that ~~safe abode~~ (qararin makeen) in 23:13 refers to the female ovum rather than the womb. However, critics note that this interpretation ignores the same phrase in 77:22 ~~where it would not make sense of~~ the words "For a known ~~term~~", ~~and that~~ the ovum is penetrated by a single sperm cell ~~and~~ not the "fluid" (maa').		It is sometimes claimed that firm lodging (qararin makeen) in 23:13 refers to the female ovum rather than the womb. However, critics note that this interpretation ignores that the same phrase occurs in 77:22, with the additional words "For a known extent". In any case, the ovum is penetrated by a single sperm cell, not the "fluid" (maa').

	Indeed, a common criticism is that the Quran makes no mention of the female egg (ovum). In response it is sometimes claimed that 'nutfatun amshajin' (amshajin means mixed<ref>أَمْشَاج Amshajan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000245.pdf] Volume 7 Page 2717</ref>) in {{Quran\|76\|2}} includes the female gamete (ovum).<ref>~~Verily~~ We created ~~Man~~ from a drop ~~of mingled sperm~~ [nutfatin amshajin نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ]~~, in order to~~ try him~~: So~~ We ~~gave~~ him ~~(the gifts), of Hearing~~ and ~~Sight~~.<br>{{Quran\|76\|2}}</ref> Critics counter that this is merely an apologetic assumption and that in any case the sperm cell is no longer swimming in male semen at the time when it reaches the ovum (see the [[Embryology_in_the_Quran#Mingled_male_and_female_fluids\|Mingled male and female fluids]] section below).		Indeed, a common criticism is that the Quran makes no mention of the female egg (ovum). In response it is sometimes claimed that 'nutfatun amshajin' (amshajin means mixed<ref>أَمْشَاج Amshajan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000245.pdf] Volume 7 Page 2717</ref>) in {{Quran\|76\|2}} includes the female gamete (ovum).<ref>Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture [nutfatin amshajin نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ] that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing.<br>{{Quran\|76\|2}}</ref> Critics counter that this is merely an apologetic assumption and that in any case the sperm cell is no longer swimming in male semen at the time when it reaches the ovum (see the [[Embryology_in_the_Quran#Mingled_male_and_female_fluids\|Mingled male and female fluids]] section below for the scientific details).

	The term ‘nutfatun amshaajin’ in verse 76:2 could alternatively refer to the sperm-menstrual blood union of Aristotle and the ancient Indian embryologists, but more likely the two semens hypothesis of Hippocrates and Galen ([[Sources_of_Islamic_Theories_of_Reproduction\|also evident in various hadiths]]), which in turn was derived from the readily observed mingling of semen and vaginal discharge during sexual intercourse.		The term ‘nutfatun amshaajin’ in verse 76:2 could alternatively refer to the sperm-menstrual blood union of Aristotle and the ancient Indian embryologists, but more likely the two semens hypothesis of Hippocrates and Galen ([[Sources_of_Islamic_Theories_of_Reproduction\|also evident in various hadiths]]), which in turn was derived from the readily observed mingling of semen and vaginal discharge during sexual intercourse.