The Qur’an and Science: A Continuous Frontier of Discovery

For centuries, scholars have studied the unique literary and spiritual aspects of the Holy Qur'an, known as its I'jāz (inimitability). In the modern era, a distinct field of study has emerged—the exploration of I'jāz 'Ilmī (scientific miraculousness)—examining passages within the Qur'an and the Prophetic traditions (Sunnah) that appear to describe scientific facts unknown at the time of their revelation. Far from being exhausted, this exploration remains an ongoing frontier of discovery, highlighting the profound depth and precision of the revealed texts.

I. The Case Study of Embryology: Professor Keith Moore

The field of embryology provides one of the most compelling examples of this scientific miraculousness and its impact on the modern academic world.

A renowned figure in this exploration is Professor Keith Moore (d. 2019), a professor of Anatomy at the University of Toronto, Canada, and a distinguished author of globally recognized medical textbooks, including Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Though Professor Moore was not a Muslim, he became deeply involved in collaborating with Muslim scholars to compare modern embryological classifications with the descriptions found in the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Professor Moore expressed astonishment at the scientific accuracy of statements recorded in the 7th century, long before the science of embryology was formally established. One of the most significant points he confirmed—which became a central feature in special editions of his work published in collaboration with scholars from King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Saudi Arabia—concerned the specific stages of human embryonic development.

For instance, he noted the precision of the Qur'anic term 'Alaqah, which is used to describe an early embryonic stage. In Arabic, 'Alaqah has meanings including "something that clings" and "a leech-like structure." Moore acknowledged that the human embryo in this phase perfectly fits the description of a leech clinging to the wall of the uterus. This cross-referencing between ancient text and modern science was so compelling that a special edition of his embryology book, The Developing Human, was distributed widely with permission from the publisher.

II. The Linguistic Precision of Nutfah Amshāj

This intersection of science and revelation often reveals the profound linguistic accuracy of the Arabic text, a depth that is difficult to convey in translation.

The Qur'an describes the origin of humanity in Surah Al-Insan: "Verily, We have created man from Nutfah Amshāj (drops of mixed semen/mingled fluid)...".

The unique structure of this term—which combines the singular noun Nutfah (a drop, seed, or single entity) with the plural adjective Amshāj (mixed or mingled)—highlights a sophisticated scientific concept:

• The term Nutfah can refer to a single seed, such as an egg from the female or a single sperm from the male, or the originating drop of fluid.
• The plural term Amshāj means mixtures, signifying the complex combination of elements (male fluid, female fluid, and their internal components) that must mingle to form the single new life—the zygote.

This specific linguistic choice demonstrates the text’s precision in pointing to the result of fertilization: a single, mixed drop (Nutfah Amshāj) formed from the combination of separate male and female components. The Arabic language, therefore, encodes concepts that are only fully appreciated by contemporary researchers familiar with both linguistics and fields like embryology.

III. Overcoming the Delinquency in Propagation (Da'wah)

The question remains whether the Muslim community is fully utilizing the potential of these scientific proofs as an effective means of propagating Islam (Da'wah).

The primary obstacle in leveraging this scientific miraculousness lies in the inherent difficulty of accurate translation. As you noted, the subtlety and depth of the Arabic language make it extremely hard to find precise English equivalents for complex theological and scientific terms. Attempting to translate specialized terms like Nutfah Amshāj into a foreign language without the original linguistic and religious context can dilute the intended meaning, weakening the force of the miraculous claim.

To overcome this, a shift in methodology is necessary:

1. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Propagation efforts must be led not just by religious scholars but by multidisciplinary teams composed of linguists, scientists, and Islamic theologians (such as the collaboration seen between scholars like Sheikh Al-Zendany and scientists at KAU) to ensure accuracy.
2. Focus on Context: Translations should be accompanied by detailed commentaries that explain the precise linguistic, historical, and scientific contexts of the Arabic term, ensuring the scientific claim is understood with the necessary depth and nuance.
3. Global Dissemination: Scientific findings related to the Qur'an must be systematically translated, published, and introduced into educational curricula worldwide, utilizing modern media to reach the global academic and general audience.

By focusing on scholarly rigor and linguistic precision, the scientific proofs embedded in the revelation can be effectively shared, demonstrating the timeless truth of the Holy Qur'an as a complete guide for all ages.