Exploring the Compatibility of Quranic Biology with Modern Science

 Biology is the science of living organisms, and the Quran is the word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Quran contains many verses that describe various aspects of biology, such as embryology, genetics, ecology, and physiology. In this blog post, we will explore some of these verses and see how they are compatible with modern scientific discoveries.

One of the most remarkable topics in biology that the Quran mentions is embryology, or the study of the development of the human embryo. The Quran describes the stages of embryonic development in detail, using precise and accurate terms that were unknown to people at the time of revelation. For example, in Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:12-14), God says:

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةࣲ مِّن طِین

Indeed We created man from a chosen soil 

. ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ نُطۡفَةࣰ فِی قَرَارࣲ مَّكِینࣲ

Then made him a drop of fluid in a secure shelter.

ثُمَّ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلنُّطۡفَةَ عَلَقَةࣰ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡعَلَقَةَ مُضۡغَةࣰ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمُضۡغَةَ عِظَـٰمࣰا فَكَسَوۡنَا ٱلۡعِظَـٰمَ لَحۡمࣰا ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَـٰهُ خَلۡقًا ءَاخَرَۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقِینَ

We then turned the drop of fluid into a clot of blood, then the clot into a small lump of flesh, then the lump into bones, then covered the bones with flesh; then developed it in a different mould; therefore Most Auspicious is Allah, the Best Creator.

 These verses clearly mention that man was formed from components contained in clay (sulalatin min tin), which refers to the organic and inorganic elements that make up the human body. Then, man was placed as a sperm-drop (nutfah) in a firm lodging (qararin makeen), which refers to the uterus or womb of the mother. Then, the sperm-drop was made into a clinging clot (alaqah), which refers to the stage when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus and forms a blood clot. Then, the clot was made into a lump [of flesh] (mudghah), which refers to the stage when the embryo develops somites or segments that resemble chewed flesh. Then, from the lump, bones (idhaam) were made, and they were covered with flesh (lahm), which refers to the stage when cartilage and muscles form around the skeletal structure. Then, God developed him into another creation (khalqan akhar), which refers to the stage when distinct human features and organs appear.

These verses are remarkably consistent with modern embryology, which confirms that human development follows these stages in sequence and with these descriptions. Moreover, these verses use specific terms that accurately describe each stage, such as alaqah for clot, which also means something that clings or leech-like substance, both of which are appropriate for this stage. Similarly, mudghah for lump [of flesh], which also means something that is chewed or has teeth marks, both of which are appropriate for this stage.

Another topic in biology that the Quran mentions is genetics, or the study of heredity and variation. The Quran states that God created everything in pairs (azwaj), and that He determines what each pair inherits from its parents. For example, in Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:36-40), God says:

أَیَحۡسَبُ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ أَن یُتۡرَكَ سُدًى

Does man assume that he will be let loose?

أَلَمۡ یَكُ نُطۡفَةࣰ مِّن مَّنِیࣲّ یُمۡنَىٰ

Was he not just a drop of the semen that is discharged?

ثُمَّ كَانَ عَلَقَةࣰ فَخَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ

He then became a clot – so Allah created him, then made him proper.

فَجَعَلَ مِنۡهُ ٱلزَّوۡجَیۡنِ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلۡأُنثَىٰۤ

So created from him a pair, the male and female.

أَلَیۡسَ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ بِقَـٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰۤ أَن یُحۡـِۧیَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ

So will He, Who has done all this, not be able to revive the dead?

These verses indicate that God created man from a sperm (nutfah) from semen (maniy) emitted (manzoor), which implies that man's origin is from both male and female gametes or sex cells. Then, God made of him two mates (azwajaini), the male and female, which implies that man's sex is determined by God's will and power. Moreover, these verses imply that God controls what each pair inherits from its parents, such as physical traits, mental abilities, and spiritual qualities.

Modern genetics confirms that human reproduction involves both male and female gametes or sex cells, which carry genetic information from both parents. Moreover, modern genetics confirms that human sex is determined by chromosomes, which are inherited from both parents. Furthermore, modern genetics confirms that human traits are influenced by genes, which are inherited from both parents.