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| ==Introduction== | | ==Introduction== |
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| There are propagations of Qur'anic Embryology by such luminaries as [[Dr.]] [[Dr. Keith Moore and the Islamic Additions|Keith Moore]] (alongside his co-author Abdul Majeed al-Zindani, a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist")<ref name="Loyalist">[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20100314033922/http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/js1190.htm|2=2013-04-10}} United States Designates bin Laden Loyalist], United States Department of the Treasury, JS-1190, February 24, 2004</ref> and Dr. [[Bucailleism|Maurice Bucaille]]. These works are copied by Dr. Al Zeiny, Dr. [[Zakir Naik]], Dr. Ibrahim Syed, Dr. Sharif Kaf Al-Ghazal, [[Harun Yahya]] and others. A good additional material is provided by Dr. Omar Abdul Rehman in which he goes into even greater detail in his attempt to validate the Qur'anic ‘human reproduction’ verses with modern scientific knowledge.
| | The propagation of Qur'anic Embryology as a tool of [[w:Dawah|da'wah]] began in earnest when books were published by non-Muslim medical experts [[Dr.]] [[Dr. Keith Moore and the Islamic Additions|Keith Moore]] (alongside his co-author Abdul Majeed al-Zindani, a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist")<ref name="Loyalist">[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20100314033922/http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/js1190.htm|2=2013-04-10}} United States Designates bin Laden Loyalist], United States Department of the Treasury, JS-1190, February 24, 2004</ref> and Dr. [[Bucailleism|Maurice Bucaille]]. These claims are repeated by Dr. [[Zakir Naik]], [[Harun Yahya]] and many others. There is good evidence of Dr. Keith Moore's [[Dr. Keith Moore and the Islamic Additions#Moore.27s Current Views|lack of sincerity and competence]] to compare the Qur'an with contemporary science. |
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| There are already [[#External links|many responses]] available. So here we will attempt to add to this debate, concentrating solely on the Qur'anic verses, because inclusion of the [[hadith]]s would clearly show up the [[Embryology in Islamic Scripture|unscientific nature of Qur'anic embryology]].
| | Many have written about the remarkable similarities between Qur'anic embryology and that taught by Galen, the highly influential Greek physician (b. 130 CE), whose works were studied in Syria and Egypt during Muhammad's time<ref>Marshall Clagett, “Greek Science in Antiquity”, pp.180-181, New York: Abelard-Schuman, 1955; Dover, 2001</ref>. some of the most obvious links with Galen (and also with the Talmud) are in statements about the nutfah stage of embryology in the Qur'an, and even more so in the hadith. See the article [[Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith|Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith]] for the compelling evidence. Striking similarities exist between other Qur'anic embryo stages and Galen too. However, while interesting and very probable, these influences cannot be proven for the Qur'an, and it is in any case unnecessary when exposing the weaknesses in the Qur'anic descriptions. Thus this article will concentrate solely on showing that Qur'anic embryology is incorrect, and that Islamic websites and public figures make false, illogical or unproven assertions in its defence. |
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| ==Apologetic Claim==
| | There are already [[Embryology in the Quran#External links|many responses]] available. So here we will collate some of the best points, concentrating solely on the Qur'anic verses, because inclusion of the [[hadith]]s would clearly show up the [[Embryology in Islamic Scripture|unscientific nature of Qur'anic embryology]]. |
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| Dr. Omar Abdul Rehman’s article will be used as the basis for our analysis as it is clearly the most detailed. A summary of his claims is contained herein:
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| {{Quote|[http://web.archive.org/web/20021129082403/http://www.aquaire.clara.co.uk/ Does the Qur’an Plagiarise Ancient Greek Embryology?]<BR>Dr. Omar Abdul Rehman|Thus the order and rate of development is similar in the two surahs.
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| (2) The first and second stages (Nutfah and 'Alaqah) : These two stages are congruent in Al-Mu'minun and AI-Qiyamah and the conjunction "thumma" has been used in both. No mention of these two stages is made in AI-Infitar.
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| (3) The third stage (Mudghah) "Mudghah" (a noun) was used in AI-Mu'minun to describe the stage which follows the "'Alaqah". This noun is indicative of the shape. In "Al-Qiyamah" text, the verb "Khalaqa" has been used. This verb indicates the events which take place in "Mudghah" stage. "Khalaqa" is thus taken to correspond to the beginning of the development of the various organs during the "Mudghah' stage.
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| As the outer appearance of the embryo alters with the changes taking place inside it, then the verb "sawwa" in "AI-Qiyamah" is taken to indicate that the "Mudghah" stage is over. The "Mudghah" has no bones or muscles and therefore does not have the human shape.
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| Thus the stage of straightening and making the surface of the embryo more even mentioned in "AI-Qiyamah" must therefore, come after "Mudghah" stage. The order of events in "AI-Mu'minun" and "AI-Qiyamah is the same. Thus it is taken that the straightening in "Al-Oiyamah" follows immediately after the "Mudghah" i.e. corresponding to the bones "Izam" stage in "AI-Mu'minun
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| "Mudghah" has been described by the verb "Khalaqa" in "AI-Qiyamah" describing the events which take place in it. Thus the process of creation is a particular feature of the "Mudghah" while terms like Nutfah and 'Alaqah have been used in the previous stages. In "Surah Al-Haj" the "Mudghah" is again described as formed and unformed. This indicates that the process of formation and initiation of various organs is a prominent characteristic of this stage.
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| Furthermore, by comparing the texts in "Al-Qiyamah" and "AI-Infitar", we find that "Khalq" and straightening are in congruent sequence in both texts. This also indicates that "AI-Infitar" text has also started with the Mudghah stage by using the verb "Khalaqa" which is an important characteristic of this stage as explained in the above paragraph.
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| (4) The fourth stage: As explained in the third stage the beginning of the bones 'Izam" stage corresponds to the stage of straightening, Furthermore, Al-Infitar shows that the stage of straightening does not include modification "Ta'dil" as this is stated to follow upon; straightening. Modification occurs by approaching the human appearance which cannot occur at the stage of bones without the presence of the muscle. It can therefore be concluded that the modification stage starts with the beginning of the clothing with flesh (muscle) stage i.e. it follows the stage of the bones which corresponds to the straightening stage. This is indicated by the order of events stated in "AI-Mu'minun" on one hand and both "AI-Qiyamah" and 'AI-Infitar" on the other. The Qur'an has therefore used the noun 'bones' to indicate shape in the first instance and a verb "sawwa" in both the latter surahs to describe an event. The embryo at this stage becomes more straight after having been bent (C-shape) and its surface more smooth after having been uneven during the "Mudghah" stage.
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| (5) The fifth stage: In the above discourse it has been mentioned that the beginning of the stage, clothing with flesh, corresponds to the beginning of the modification stage in "AI-Infitar". This latter stage must correspond to the statement:
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| "and We made from it the male and female" in "AI-Qiyamah" because both are preceded by the straightening stage. Therefore, the beginning of male and female differentiation corresponds to the stage of clothing with flesh in Al-Mu'minun. This is in fact what actually takes place. There is differentiation of the genital ridge into either an ovary or a testis at this stage.
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| (6) The sixth stage and the continuation of the fifth: In surah AI-Mu'minun the conjunction "thumma" was used between the stage of clothing with flesh and the stage of Nash'ah. However, in "AI-Qiyamah" and "AI-Infitar" no sixth stage is mentioned. This indicates that male and female sex differentiation continues to its completion and this is what actually happens. The external genital organs differentiate between the 11th and 12th weeks Similarly "Ta’dil" or modification of the organs and acquiring of human proportions of the body continues to a late stage of pregnancy.}}
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| ==Analysis== | | ==Analysis== |
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| ===Debating Technique=== | | ===Debating Technique=== |
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| Proponents of Qur'anic embryology often defend their position by claiming that words like alaqa can have several meanings, and each of these meanings apply at the same time. Thus, an alaqa is a leech, looks like a leech if viewed in a certain angle or a clot in another angle, or clings to the endometrium. It is a waste of time to argue such imponderables We will accept each and every one of these definitions because such arguments are futile. | | Proponents of Qur'anic embryology often defend their position by claiming that words like 'alaqa can have several meanings, and some or all of these meanings apply at the same time. Thus, an 'alaqah is a leech, or looks like a leech if viewed in a certain angle, is a clot of blood, or looks like a blood clot, or hangs from or clings to the endometrium. Some of these are genuine definitions of the word, others are not. Every one is problematic and will be addressed below. |
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| The best method of refuting Qur'anic embryology is by questioning every claim as to their validity, and to make its proponents justify every claim. This would include why they chose to make a choice when there are several other equally valid possibilities, why they chose to ignore clearly nonsensical phrases, and why they assume certain phrases to be metaphorical while others to be literal.
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| We will ignore the obvious similarities between the embryology prevailing at the time the Qur'an was written and the embryology contained within its pages. This is because Prophet Muhammad’s plagiarizing of ancient Greek and Indian embryology can never be proven one way or the other. Therefore, we will concentrate solely in showing that Qur'anic embryology is made up of incorrect or illogical or unproven assertions.
| | The best method of refuting Qur'anic embryology is by questioning every claim as to its validity, and to make its proponents justify every claim. This would include why they chose to make a choice when there are several other equally valid possibilities, why they chose to ignore clearly nonsensical phrases, and why they assume certain phrases to be metaphorical while others to be literal. Some will also benefit from seeing the definitions of the significant words from Lane's Lexicon of classical arabic, cited and linked throughout this article. |
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| If, however, the reader is so inclined, they can read a good summary of the apologetic debating technique [{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20060214032231/http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html|2=2011-12-05}} here], and read the relevant sections [http://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com here] to see how many of the word definitions used by them are based on misquotes of Arabic dictionaries and are incompatible with how those same Arabic words were used in the hadith (such as the claims that the word alaqah meant a "leech-like substance", that a mudghah is not merely a small piece of meat, but one that has been chewed). | | If, the reader is so inclined, they can read a good summary of the arbitrary assumptions and heavily selective debating technique used by apologists, with a particular focus on Keith Moore's claims,[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20060214032231/http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html|2=2011-12-05}} here], and can read the relevant sections [http://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com here] to see how many of the word definitions used in Islamic apologetics are based on misquotes of Arabic dictionaries and are incompatible with how those same Arabic words were used in the hadith (such as the claims that the word 'alaqah meant a "leech-like substance", that a mudghah is not merely a small piece of meat, but one that has been chewed). |
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| ===The Role of the Female Gamete=== | | ===The Role of the Female Gamete=== |