Semen Production in the Quran: Difference between revisions

{{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=3|Content=4|Language=2|References=3}}[[File:Hippocrates.jpg|thumb|280px|right|Qur'an 86:7 says that sperm originates from the backbones and the ribs, a theory similar to another erroneous theory proposed by Hippocrates in 5th century BC (1000 years before Islam). Hippocrates taught that semen comes from all the fluid in the body, diffusing from the brain into the spinal marrow, before passing through the kidneys and via the testicles into the penis.<ref>Hippocratic Writings (Penguin Classics, 1983) pp. 317-318</ref>]]Towards the end of the 20th century and into the early 21st century, drawing on the work of a broad and largely Saudi-financed movement to demonstrate the concordance of [[Islam and Science|Islamic scriptures and modern science]], attempts have been made to not only defend the [[Quran|Qur'anic]] idea (found in {{Quran-range|86|6|7}}) of semen production from between the ''sulb'' and the ''tara’ib'' , but also to demonstrate it as an instance of divinely inspired scientific foreknowledge, or, as more commonly referred to, a [[Scientific Miracles in the Quran|scientific miracle of the Quran]]. Several specific [[Tafsir|interpretations]] advocating the miracle have been proposed, critiqued, and withdrawn - none, however, have been welcomed by the professional scientific or historical community.<ref>Sam Shamoun has, for example, considered some of these ideas in the articles found [http://answering-islam.org/Quran/Science/semenproduction.htm here] and [http://www.answeringislam.info/Shamoun/wonders.htm here].</ref>

There is relatively little disagreement over the proper translation of {{Quran|86|6}}. The only recurrent disagreement between translations is over whether the word ''maa'' should be translated literally as 'water' or generalized to 'fluid'. Most translations opt for the former translation, which is accurate to the Arabic text, as opposed to the latter, which amounts to a metaphorical interpretation. No scholar has expressed disagreement over the fact that the word for water (''maa'') was the standard Arabic euphemism for 'semen' - many translations have included this point in their footnotes on the verse.{{Quote|{{Quran|86|6}}|'''Arabic:''' خُلِقَ مِن مَّآءٍ دَافِقٍ<br>'''Corpus translation (literal):''' He is created from a water [''maa'', the word 'water' was the standard Arabic euphemism for semen], ejected,<br>'''Transliteration:''' ''Khuliqa min main dafiqin''}}As can be seen in the competing translations listed below, there is significant disagreement among Islamic translations and, as will be discussed, controversy surrounding the translation of the subsequent verse, {{Quran|86|7}}.{{Quote|{{Quran|86|7}}|'''Arabic:''' يخرج من بين الصلب والترائب<br>'''Corpus translation (literal):''' Coming forth from between the backbone and the ribs.<br>'''Transliteration:''' ''Yakhruju min bayni alssulbi waalttara-ibi''}}{{Quote|{{Qtt|86|7}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' ''proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.''