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Embryology in Islamic Scripture: Difference between revisions
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Embryology in Islamic Scripture (view source)
Revision as of 12:24, 20 December 2013
, 20 December 2013→The “Leech-Like Clot” Phase (Alaqah)
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====The “Leech-Like Clot” Phase (Alaqah)==== | ====The “Leech-Like Clot” Phase (Alaqah)==== | ||
The word “alaqah” is a bit more ambiguous than “nutfah,” and so has been translated a bit more flexibly by | The word “alaqah” is a bit more ambiguous than “nutfah,” and so has been translated a bit more flexibly by [[apologists]]. Although consistently translated as a “clot of blood” by multiple translators, there are a handful of instances where it is rendered as “a leech-like clot.” This is the phase that (according to Bukhari and Muslim) should last from about day 41 to day 80 after conception. | ||
Among the many images of Allah’s creative power reflected in the Qu’ran and the hadith, the image of man having been created from a clot of blood is one of the most common, showing up over a dozen times in the Qu’ran, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim alone. | Among the many images of Allah’s creative power reflected in the Qu’ran and the hadith, the image of man having been created from a clot of blood is one of the most common, showing up over a dozen times in the Qu’ran, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim alone. | ||
What actually | What actually ''is'' happening during those 40 days, and how might it be said to resemble a “leech-like clot?” | ||
The period of development covered by the “alaqah” stage includes from week six until week eleven after conception. The first two weeks of this “phase” actually encompass the final two weeks of embryonic development, for at that point the baby is essentially completely formed, and from here on out is known as a fetus. | The period of development covered by the “alaqah” stage includes from week six until week eleven after conception. The first two weeks of this “phase” actually encompass the final two weeks of embryonic development, for at that point the baby is essentially completely formed, and from here on out is known as a fetus. | ||
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For over three weeks of the supposed “alaqah” phase, rather than a “leech-like clot” the fetus is actually a fully formed human being, ranging in size from 35 mm to about 80 mm in length. | For over three weeks of the supposed “alaqah” phase, rather than a “leech-like clot” the fetus is actually a fully formed human being, ranging in size from 35 mm to about 80 mm in length. | ||
'''Interim Conclusion:''' The Qu’ran and hadith are in error describing the embryo as a “leech-like clot” for any period of time, and certainly wrong in assigning the period from 41 to 80 days for such a phase. | '''Interim Conclusion:''' The Qu’ran and hadith are in error describing the embryo as a “leech-like clot” for any period of time, and certainly wrong in assigning the period from 41 to 80 days for such a phase. | ||
====The “Lump of Flesh” Phase (Mudghah)==== | ====The “Lump of Flesh” Phase (Mudghah)==== | ||