Scientist's Interpretation to Embryology in the Al-Quran

Statements referring to human reproduction and development are scattered throughout the Qur'an. It is only recently that the scientific meaning of some of these verses has been appreciated fully. The long delay in interpreting these verses correctly resulted mainly from inaccurate translations and commentaries and from a lack of awareness of scientific knowledge.

Interest in explanations of the verses of the Qur'an is not new. People used to ask the prophet Muhammad all sorts of questions about the meaning of verses referring to human reproduction. The Apostle's answers form the basis of the Hadith literature.

The translations of the verses from the Qur'an which are interpreted in this paper were provided by Sheikh Abdul Majid Zendani, a Professor of Islamic Studies in King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

"He makes you in the wombs of your mothers in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness." (Az-Zumar, 39: 6)

 

 Figure 1: Drawing of a sagittal section of a female's abdomen and pelvis showing a fetus in utero. The "veils of darkness" are: (1) the anterior abdominal wall; (2) the uterine wall, and (3) the amniochorionic membrane.

We do not know when it was realized that human beings underwent development in the uterus (womb), but the first known illustration of a fetus in the uterus was drawn by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. In the 2nd century A.D., Galen described the placenta and fetal membranes in his book "On The Formation of the Foetus." Consequently, doctors in the 7th century A.D. likely knew that the human embryo developed in the uterus. It is unlikely that they knew that it developed in stages, even though Aristotle had described the stages of development of the chick embryo in the 4th century B.C. The realization that the human embryo develops in stages was not discussed and illustrated until the 15th century.

After the microscope was discovered in the 17th century by Leeuwenhoek descriptions were made of the early stages of the chick embryo. The staging of human embryos was not described until the 20th century. Streeter (1941) developed the first system of staging which has now been replaced by a more accurate system proposed by O'Rahilly (1972).

"The three veils of darkness" may refer to: ( l ) the anterior abdominal wall; (2) the uterine wall; and (3) the amniochorionic membrane (Fig. 1). Although there are other interpretations of this statement, the one presented here seems the most logical from an embryological point of view. 

"Then We placed him as a drop in a place of rest." (Al-Mu'minun, 23: 13)

The drop or nutfah has been interpreted as the sperm or spermatozoon, but a more meaningful interpretation would be the zygote which divides to form a blastocyst which is implanted in the uterus ("a place of rest"). This interpretation is supported by another verse in the Qur'an which states that "a human being is created from a mixed drop." The zygote forms by the union of a mixture of the sperm and the ovum ("The mixed drop").

"Then We made the drop into a leech-like structure." (Al-Mu'minun, 23: 14)

Figure 2. Top, a drawing of a leech or bloodsucker.

Below, a drawing of a 24 day-old human embryo. Note the leech-like appearance of the human embryo at this stage.

The word "alaqah" refers to a leech or bloodsucker. This is an appropriate description of the human embryo from days 7-24 when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus, in the same way that a leech clings to the skin. Just as the leech derives blood from the host, the human embryo derives blood from the decidua or pregnant endometrium. It is remarkable how much the embryo of 23-24 days resembles a leech (Fig. 2). As there were no microscopes or lenses available in the 7th century, doctors would not have known that the human embryo had this leech-like appearance. In the early part of the fourth week, the embryo is just visible to the unaided eye because it is smaller than a kernel of wheat.

"Then of that leech-like structure, We made a chewed lump." (Al-Mu'minun, 23: 14)

The Arabic word "mudghah" means "chewed substance or chewed lump." Toward the end of the fourth week, the human embryo looks somewhat like a chewed lump of flesh (Fig. 3). The chewed appearance results from the somites which resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings or primordia of the vertebrae.

"Then We made out of the chewed lump, bones, and clothed the bones in flesh." (Al-Mu'minun, 23: 14)

This continuation of Surah 23:14 indicates that out of the chewed lump stage, bones and muscles form. This is in accordance with embryological development. First the bones form as cartilage models and then the muscles (flesh) develop around them from the somatic mesoderm.

Figure 3. Left, a plasticine model of the human embryo which has the appearance of chewed flesh.

Right, a drawing of a 28 day-old human embryo showing several bead-like somites which resemble the teeth marks in the model shown to the left.

"Then We developed out of it another creature." (Al-Mu'minun, 23: 14)

This next part of Surah 23:14 implies that the bones and muscles result in the formation of another creature. This may refer to the human-like embryo that forms by the end of the eighth week. At this stage it has distinctive human characteristics and possesses the primordia of all the internal and external organs and parts. After the eighth week, the human embryo is called a fetus. This may be the new creature to which the verse refers.

"And He gave you hearing and sight and feeling and understanding." (As-Sajdah, 32: 9)

This part of Surah 32:9 indicates that the special senses of hearing, seeing, and feeling develop in this order, which is true. The primordia of the internal ears appear before the beginning of the eyes, and the brain (the site of understanding) differentiates last.

"Then out of a piece of chewed flesh, partly formed and partly unformed." (Al-Hajj, 22: 5)

This part of Surah 22:5 seems to indicate that the embryo is composed of both differentiated and undifferentiated tissues. For example, when the cartilage bones are differentiated, the embryonic connective tissue or mesenchyme around them is undifferentiated. It later differentiates into the muscles and ligaments attached to the bones.

"And We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term." (Al-Hajj, 22: 5)

This next part of Surah 22:5 seems to imply that God determines which embryos will remain in the uterus until full term. It is well known that many embryos abort during the first month of development, and that only about 30% of zygotes that form, develop into fetuses that survive until birth. This verse has also been interpreted to mean that God determines whether the embryo will develop into a boy or girl.

The interpretation of the verses in the Qur'an referring to human development would not have been possible in the 7th century A.D., or even a hundred years ago. We can interpret them now because the science of modern Embryology affords us new understanding. Undoubtedly there are other verses in the Qur'an related to human development that will be understood in the future as our knowledge increases.

Mengapa Bumi Mengalami Gegaran (Vibration Concept)?

Firman Allah: "Dan telah Kami jadikan di bumi ini gunung-gunung yang kokoh supaya bumi itu (tidak) goncang bersama mereka, dan telah Kami jadikan (pula) di bumi itu jalan-jalan yang luas, agar mereka mendapat petunjuk." (Al-Anbiyaa', 21: 31)

Betapa pentingnya peranan gunung-gunung di muka bumi ini untuk mengukuhkan bumi ini. Cuba bayangkan, andainya tiada gunung-gunung atau bukit-bukit di muka bumi ini? Apa yang berlaku pada bumi ini? Dan apa kesannya pada diri kita?

Kita juga sedia maklum bahawa, kekayaan Allah s.w.t. disalurkan kepada hamba-hambanya untuk dimanfaatkan. Tidak perlu dilihat ke seluruh dunia, cukuplah sekadar Malaysia yang cukup kaya dengan pelbagai hasil galian seperti Petroleum, Gas Asli, Bijih Timah, Emas dan sebagainya. Dulu, pernah ditujukan persoalan, berapa tahun lagikah kewujudan hasil-hasil galian tersebut? Adakah 50 tahun lagi? Atau 100 tahun lagi? Atau 200 tahun lagi?

Saya hendak mengaitkan kedua-dua persoalan tersebut dengan satu konsep engineering atau kejuruteraan iaitu vibration atau getaran. Dalam mengetahui atau mengukur vibration sesuatu sistem, perkara yang penting adalah mengetahui nilai frekuensi asli (wn) sesuatu sistem.

Frekuensi asli / Natural frequency, wn = √(k/m)

Semakin tinggi nilai frekuensi asli sesuatu sistem, semakin tinggi vibration atau getaran sesuatu sistem. Justeru itu, berdasarkan rumus di atas, jisim (m) sesuatu sistem adalah berkadar songsang dengan frekuensi asli (wn). Ini bermakna, jisim juga berkadar songsang dengan vibration sesuatu sistem.

Saya teringat ketika saya berada di Darjah 6 (lebih kurang 15 tahun dahulu), guru saya mengatakan bahawa Malaysia adalah sebuah negara yang bebas dari ancaman gempa bumi dan kenyataan guru saya memang benar ketika itu. Tetapi, keadaan sekarang, kenyataan tersebut sudah tidak beberapa tepat kerana kerap kali, negara kita mengalami gegaran atau ancaman akibat gempa bumi di negara jiran yang merupakan tanda-tanda kecil Hari Kiamat.

Adakah logik jika saya mengatakan, semakin berkurangnya galian-galian di muka bumi dan semakin kurang tinggi bukit-bukit dan gunung-gunung akibat ditarah adalah menjadi punca negara kita sudah mula menerima gegaran akibat gempa bumi di negara lain? Berdasarkan konsep vibration ini, kebarangkaliannya benar bahawa dunia sekarang semakin dekat dengan Hari Kiamat, dengan jisim-jisim bumi makin lama makin berkurangan disebabkan hasil-hasil bumi semakin kehabisan. Jika ia benar, kita memang berada di landasan yang tepat menuju ke Hari Pembalasan. Bersediakah kita?

Camels: A Gift From Allah

"Why do they not reflect on the camels and how they are created ?" (Al-Ghaasyiyah, 88:17)

Camels creation is its own miracle. The camel is not always seen as a beautiful animal. But it is absolutely perfect for what it needs to do and where it needs to survive. This is a gift from God. Without camels, no one could travel in the deserts, so huge sections of the world would be not just difficult to live on, but completely unhabitable.

All of the camel is practical for his survival and for his service to man. A camel's feet, although hoofed, have large pads that spread out in the soft sand to keep the animal from sinking in. His face is designed as protection from sun and sand. The thick eyebrows, heavy eyelids and thick lashes all keep out sand, and there's even a third eyelid that can close in heavy storms. The still nostrils have special muscles which the camel can close against blowing sand. The ears have thick hair inside the ear, as well as outside to prevent dirt and sand from getting down inside the ear, and possibly causing infection.

A camel's hump is a lump of fat. This is used as a source of energy when food is scarce. The hump may actually shrink when no food is available, but the camel can live off it for many days. And it will reform perfectly when food is again available. Because food is so scarce in the desert, the camel must be able to eat anything (even the tents). The lining of the mouth is very tough so that the camel can bite and chew thorny cactus plants without harm to the mouth.

Most incredible is how the camel deals with heat and lack of water. First of all, camels have a low metabolic rate, so energy is used slowly. The body temperature has a wide range of normal. It may start the day at 94 and hit 105 in the heat of the afternoon (Human's normal temperature is 98 and at 101, we are sick). The camel is one of few animals that can sweat. The coarse body hair, which acts as a protection against the direct sun, also allows the camel this ability to sweat. Sweating is a more efficient cooling system than panting (as in dogs) as less precious fluid is lost. Additionally, in its incredibly efficient way, the camel does not sweat until its body temperature is near the top of its range.

No other creature can process water in the same way. It does not lose water from blood, only from the tissue. Thus the blood stays properly thin enough to circulate and remove body heat. The camel will only drink when needed and only replace what's lost. If he lost 5 gallons over the last two days, he will drink 5 gallons and walk away. He may not drink at all in winter.

And the camel can quickly replace all water lost - 25 gallons in a very short time. Other animals drinking too fast can die from water intoxication. So camels are truly remarkable animals. When we reflect on their creation, as God instructs us to do, we cannot help but marvel at the ways God made them fit perfectly into their niche.

May God help each of us to fit our own niche as well.

Bees and The Miracles Hidden of Honey

The honey bee exhibits a combination of individual traits and social co-operation which is unparalleled in the animal kingdom. A glimpse into the nest makes it apparent why honey bees have fascinated us from the earliest days of scientific observations. The infrastructure of the nest, the perfectly uniform and functional comb, is composed of beeswax and is constructed into a repeating series of almost perfect hexagonal cells. The comb is the stage for the activity of the colony and is used for almost everything imaginable, from larval nursery to pantry to message centre.

At the individual level, honey bees have not one but three types of colony members: queens, drones and workers, each with their own specializations and place in honey bee society. The queen reigns over the nest, surrounded by attendants and fed the rich food she requires to perform her few but crucial tasks in the colony. The queen produces powerful pheromones, chemical signals to recipient workers which control many of their behaviours and provide part of the 'social glue' which holds honey bee life together. A highly organized social structure exists within the colony and elaborate 'dances' are used to communicate the location of food sources.

The products of the hive are important to the modern agricultural system. Not only do honey bees provide us with honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly and pollen but they also pollinate a good portion of our crops, including such diverse agricultural plants as fruit trees, oilseeds, small berries and forage crops.

Honey is a remarkable viscous liquid, prepared by the bees from the nectars of various plants. It has occupied a prominent place in traditional medicines throughout world history. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans employed honey for wounds and diseases of the gut. When the Children of Israel were in Egypt or journeying through the desert, their promised goal was a 'land flowing with milk and honey'.

Both the holy Qur'an and Hadith refer to honey as a healer of disease:
"And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men's) habitations..... there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought." (Translation of Quran, An-Nahl, 16:68-69)

In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur'an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur'an and honey." (Bukhari)

The reader may be surprised to learn that the above quotation from the Qur'an is mentioned in a well known encyclopedia on honey.

In recent years, scientific support is beginning to emerge confirming the beneficial effects of honey on certain medical and surgical conditions. These effects may be summarized as follows:

Antibacterial and antifungal properties
These properties of honey are well established. Undiluted honey inhibits the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, certain gut pathogens and fungi such as Candida albicans. At a concentration of 30-50%, honey has been shown to be superior to certain conventional antibiotics in treating urinary tract infections. The exact mechanism of the anti-microbial effect of honey remains obscure. Low pH, osmotic disruption of pathogens and the presence of bactericidal substances, collectively called inhibine may all play a part.

Anti-diarrhoeal properties
At a concentration of 40%, honey has a bactericidal effect on various gut bacteria known to cause diarrhoea and dysentery such as Salmonella, Shigella, enteropathogenic E. coli and Vibrio cholera. In one study, honey given with oral rehydration fluid was shown to reduce the duration of bacterial diarrhoea in infants and children.

Wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties
Honey is of value in treating burns, infected surgical wounds and decubitus ulcers. Honey is very viscous, enabling it to absorb water from surrounding inflamed tissue. For example, a study in West Africa showed that skin grafting, surgical debridement and even amputation were avoided when local application of honey to wound promoted healing, whereas conventional treatment failed.
In another study, wound healing was accelerated by application of honey in women who had undergone radical vulvectomy for vulval cancer. Also, it has been suggested that honey may be useful in the treatment of chronic, foul smelling ulcers seen in leprosy.

Anti-tussive and expectorant properties
These anti-cough properties of honey are related to its capacity to dilute bronchial secretions and improve the function of the bronchial epithelium.

Nutritional properties
Uncontaminated honey is a healthy, easily digestible, natural and energy rich food. It contains carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes and vitamins. One tablespoon of honey provides 60 calories and contains 11g of carbohydrates, 1mg of calcium, 0.2mg of iron, 0.lmg of vitamin B and 1mg of vitamin C.

Honey is widely available in most communities but its medical potential remains grossly underutilised. Its mode of action remains incompletely understood and the healing properties of honey in other clinical and laboratory situations require further evaluation. The miraculous beneficial properties of honey, so beautifully ex-pressed in the holy Qur'an and Sunnah 14 centuries ago expose the reluctance of modern science to accept and exploit this 'traditional remedy'.

*Source from http://www.islamonline.net (Dec. 2004)