(i) Stages of embryonic growth
“We created man from an extract of clay, We later placed him as a mixed drop in a place of settlement, firmly fixed, later We made the mixed drop into a leech-like structure, and then We changed the leech-like structure into a chewed-like substance, then out of the chewed-like substance We made the skeleton/ bones, then we clothed the skeleton with muscles/ flesh, later We caused him to grow and come into as another creation, So, blessed be Allah, the best of Creators.” (The Quran, 23:12-14)
The Quran in the above verses uses two words for “then”. “fa” in the Arabic language refers to an immediate action while the word “thumma” refers to a delayed action. In the above verses, Quran used the word thumma three times, showing that there are three different stages of human development in the embryo. (You may check these 3 stages in “The three stages of the baby in the womb” on pages 32-33 of this book.)
Embryology is the branch of science that studies the development of the embryo in the mother’s womb. Until very recently, embryologists assumed that the bones and muscles in an embryo developed at the same time. For this reason, for a long time, some people claimed that these verses conflicted with science. Yet, advanced microscopic research conducted by virtue of new technological developments has confirmed that the revelation of the Quran is word for word correct.
Who besides Allah could have revealed such minute and specific information 1400 years ago??