The scientific accuracy of the Qur'an

This message is based on an article entitled "Highlights of Human embryology in the Qur'an and Hadith" written by Dr. Keith Moore, Professor of Anatomy and Chairman of the Department, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Toronto, 1982.

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 C.E., and were not used in this field of study until the l8th century. Therefore, when Dr. Moore studied certain verses in the Qur'an that tackles this subject, he remarked, "I was amazed at the scientific accuracy of these statements which were made in the 7th century C.E."

The Qur'an in (39:6) states that God made us in the wombs of our mothers in stages:

Allah says:

"God is the One who fashioned you from a single person and from that (person) created his wife, and He made for you from the cattle, eight pairs. He fashions you inside the bodies of your mothers, formation after formation, in three (veils) of darkness. This is your God, your Lord, His is the Dominion, there is no god but He, so how are you turned away." Qur'an (39:6)

Dr. Moore comments: "The realization that the embryo develops in stages in the uterus was not introduced until the 1940's, and the stages used nowadays were not adopted worldwide until the 15th century C.E."

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 C.E. The verse from the Qur'an (80:18-19) clearly states 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".

Allah says:

"Of what did He create him. From a small quantity of liquid, God fashioned him in due proportion and ordained his fate" (80:18-19)

The Qur'an (23:12-16) describes that there is a lag or a 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 a delay in the development of the embryo during the implantation... The agreement between the lag or gap in development mentioned in the Qur'an and the slow rate of change occurring during the second or third weeks is amazing. These details of human development were not mentioned or introduced about 40 years ago", yet it is mentioned and clearly described in the Qur'an.

Allah says:

"And certainly We fashioned mankind from the quintessence of a clay. The We placed (mankind) as a small quantity of sperm in a safe lodging firmly established- Then We fashioned the small quantity of sperm into something which clings, and then We fashioned the clinging thing into a chewed lump of flesh, then We made out the chewed flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with intact flesh, then We developed out of it another creature; so Blessed be God, the Best to Create. Then after that you shall surely die; Then on the Day of Resurrection you shall surely be raised up." Qur'an (23:12-16)

The above evidence shows that the Qur'an is indeed from Allah, The One and The Only God.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"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". Qur'an (4:82).