Embryology in the Quran: Difference between revisions
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Lightyears (talk | contribs) (→The 'Alaqah Stage: Added an intro to the section + a little detail on tafsirs defining 'alaqah as blood) |
Lightyears (talk | contribs) (Additions re Keith Moore and Galen. Removed lengthy Dr Rehman quote. He is no longer a prominent figure. Readers of this page are surely familiar with the apologetic claims.) |
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
The propagation of Qur'anic Embryology as a tool of [[w:Dawah|da'wah]] began in earnest when books were published by non-Muslim medical experts [[Dr.]] [[Dr. Keith Moore and the Islamic Additions|Keith Moore]] (alongside his co-author Abdul Majeed al-Zindani, a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist")<ref name="Loyalist">[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20100314033922/http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/js1190.htm|2=2013-04-10}} United States Designates bin Laden Loyalist], United States Department of the Treasury, JS-1190, February 24, 2004</ref> and Dr. [[Bucailleism|Maurice Bucaille]]. These claims are repeated by Dr. [[Zakir Naik]], [[Harun Yahya]] and many others. There is good evidence of Dr. Keith Moore's [[Dr. Keith Moore and the Islamic Additions#Moore.27s Current Views|lack of sincerity and competence]] to compare the Qur'an with contemporary science. | |||
Many have written about the remarkable similarities between Qur'anic embryology and that taught by Galen, the highly influential Greek physician (b. 130 CE), whose works were studied in Syria and Egypt during Muhammad's time<ref>Marshall Clagett, “Greek Science in Antiquity”, pp.180-181, New York: Abelard-Schuman, 1955; Dover, 2001</ref>. some of the most obvious links with Galen (and also with the Talmud) are in statements about the nutfah stage of embryology in the Qur'an, and even more so in the hadith. See the article [[Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith|Greek and Jewish Ideas about Reproduction in the Quran and Hadith]] for the compelling evidence. Striking similarities exist between other Qur'anic embryo stages and Galen too. However, while interesting and very probable, these influences cannot be proven for the Qur'an, and it is in any case unnecessary when exposing the weaknesses in the Qur'anic descriptions. Thus this article will concentrate solely on showing that Qur'anic embryology is incorrect, and that Islamic websites and public figures make false, illogical or unproven assertions in its defence. | |||
There are already [[Embryology in the Quran#External links|many responses]] available. So here we will collate some of the best points, concentrating solely on the Qur'anic verses, because inclusion of the [[hadith]]s would clearly show up the [[Embryology in Islamic Scripture|unscientific nature of Qur'anic embryology]]. | |||
==Analysis== | ==Analysis== | ||
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===Debating Technique=== | ===Debating Technique=== | ||
Proponents of Qur'anic embryology often defend their position by claiming that words like alaqa can have several meanings, and | Proponents of Qur'anic embryology often defend their position by claiming that words like 'alaqa can have several meanings, and some or all of these meanings apply at the same time. Thus, an 'alaqah is a leech, or looks like a leech if viewed in a certain angle, is a clot of blood, or looks like a blood clot, or hangs from or clings to the endometrium. Some of these are genuine definitions of the word, others are not. Every one is problematic and will be addressed below. | ||
The best method of refuting Qur'anic embryology is by questioning every claim as to its validity, and to make its proponents justify every claim. This would include why they chose to make a choice when there are several other equally valid possibilities, why they chose to ignore clearly nonsensical phrases, and why they assume certain phrases to be metaphorical while others to be literal. Some will also benefit from seeing the definitions of the significant words from Lane's Lexicon of classical arabic, cited and linked throughout this article. | |||
If | If, the reader is so inclined, they can read a good summary of the arbitrary assumptions and heavily selective debating technique used by apologists, with a particular focus on Keith Moore's claims,[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20060214032231/http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtmecca/embryo.html|2=2011-12-05}} here], and can read the relevant sections [http://embryologyinthequran.blogspot.com here] to see how many of the word definitions used in Islamic apologetics are based on misquotes of Arabic dictionaries and are incompatible with how those same Arabic words were used in the hadith (such as the claims that the word 'alaqah meant a "leech-like substance", that a mudghah is not merely a small piece of meat, but one that has been chewed). | ||
===The Role of the Female Gamete=== | ===The Role of the Female Gamete=== |