This message is based on an article entitled
"Highlights of Human Embryology in the Koran and the Hadith"
by Dr. Keith Moore, Professor of Anatomy and Chairman of the Department,
Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto, 1982 (to obtain a free
copy, call (416) 536-8433).
Dr. Moore points out that the study of how
the human embryo develops in the mother’s womb could not progress
significantly without the use of microscopes. Microscopes were not invented
until the 17th century A.D., and were not used in this field of study
until the 18th century. Therefore when Dr. Moore studied certain statements
in the Qur’an on this subject, he remarked, "I was amazed at
the scientific accuracy of these statements which were made in the 7th
century A.D."
The Qur’an in 39:6 states that God made
us in the wombs of our mothers in stages. Dr. Moore comments:
"The realization that the embryo develops
in stages in the uterus was not discussed or illustrated until the 15th
century A.D.
"The staging of human embryos was not
proposed until the 1940’s, and the stages used nowadays were not
adopted worldwide until a few years ago."
Furthermore, he says: "The idea that
development results from a genetic plan contained in the chromosomes
of the zygote was not discovered until the end of the 19th century. The
verse from the Koran [80:18] clearly implies that the nutfa (i.e.
the initial drop of fluid) contains the plan or blueprint for the future
characteristics and features of the developing human being."
The Qur'an 23:12-16 indicates that there
is a lag or gap between two of the early stages of growth. How does that
compare with modern scientific knowledge? Remarkably! Says Dr. Moore:
"It is well established that there is a lag or delay in the development
of the embryo during the implantation . . . The agreement between the
lag or gap in development mentioned in the Koran and the slow rate of
change occurring during the second and third weeks is amazing. These details
of human development were not described until about 40 years ago."
Finally, Dr. Moore concludes by saying that
the agreement he has found in the Quranic statements "may help to
close the gap between science and religion which has existed for so many
years."
The above evidence shows that the Qur'an
must be from God as it claims. The Qur’an says that you and every
human being should consider this book with care. Had it been from anyone
other than God, you would have found much discrepancy in it (4:82). |
