Development of Embryo in the Qur'an and the Hadith

Studying the texts of the Qur'an and the Hadith, many scientists get amazed by the accurate scientific facts mentioned in them. Among those who were taken by surprise is Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Genecology, and Professor of Molecular and Human Genetics at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. When we first met him, Professor Simpson insisted on verifying the Qur’an and the Sunnah. We were able, however, to remove his suspicion. We presented to him the text outlining the development of the embryo. We proved to him that the Qur’an informs us that the hereditary and the chromosomal make-up of the new being take place only after a successful union between the sperm and the ovum. As we know, these chromosomes contain all the characteristics which the new human being will have such as the color of the eyes, skin, hair, etc.

Hence, many of the details in the human being’s make-up are determined in his chromosomes. These chromosomes begin to form during the early Nutfah stage of embryonic development. In other words, the distinguishing features of the new human being are determined from the very beginning at the Nutfah stage. Allah, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorified, has stated this fact in the Qur’an: [Woe to man! how ungrateful? From what stuff has He created him? From a sperm-drop: He has created him, and then moulded him in due proportion.] (`Abasa 80: 17-19)

During the first 40 days of gestation, all the body parts and organs are completely, though consecutively, formed. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has informed us in a Hadith that: “In every one of you, all components of your creation are gathered together in your mothers’ womb by 40 days.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

In another Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When forty-two nights have passed over the drop (Nutfah), Allah sends an angel to it, who shapes it and makes its ears, eyes, skin, flesh and bones. Then he says, “O Lord, is it male or female?” and your Lord decides what he wishes.” (Reported by Muslim).

Professor Simpson studied these two Hadiths extensively, noting that the first 40 days constitute a clearly distinguishable stage of embryo genesis. He was particularly impressed by the absolute precision and accuracy of those Hadiths. Then during one of the conferences which he attended he gave the following opinion: “So, the two Hadiths that have been noted can provide us with a specific time table for the main embryological development before 40 days. Again, the point had been made repeatedly by other speakers this morning that these Hadiths could not have been obtained on the basis of the scientific knowledge that was available at the time of their recording.'

Professor Simpson added: 'It follows, I think, that not only is there NO conflict between genetics and religion, but in fact religion can guide science by adding revelation to some traditional scientific approaches. There exist statements in the Qur’an shown by science to be valid, which supports knowledge in the Qur’an having been derived from Allah.

Surah Isra 17:80 Say: 'O my Lord! let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me).'
17:81'And say, Truth has (now) arrived, and falsehood perished: For falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish.'

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