This axis brings together 3 instances of the use of this verse in the books of Muhammad Shahrur, linking it to the concepts and arguments that appear around it.
Text of the Verse as Cited
And indeed, We created the human being from an extract of clay …
Reader’s Answer
Question
How does Muhammad Shahrur employ Qur’an 23:12–14 in his discussion of embryonic development and its relation to modern science?
Shahrur employs the verses as a sequential presentation of the stages of human creation: from the drop of fluid to the clinging substance, then the lump, the bones, and their being clothed with flesh. He holds that this presentation constitutes, in the view of embryologists, a complete picture of the embryo’s development in the womb and an objective scientific fact. For him, the function of the verses is not merely exhortation, but also an indication of knowledge open to modern scientific study.
Shahrur presents Qur’an 23:12–14 as a gradual description of the stages of embryonic development in the mother’s womb. He attributes to “any embryologist” acceptance of the verses as a complete picture of embryonic development and an objective scientific fact.
Citation and Location
The State and Society — p. 153.
Limits of the Reading
- This passage documents Shahrur’s way of employing the verses; by itself, it is insufficient to establish a detailed scientific correspondence between the Qur’anic terms for these stages and the terminology of contemporary embryology.
- The phrase “any embryologist” is a general assertion by Shahrur in the cited passage, without references in the quoted text to studies or named specialists that can be examined.
- The passage does not establish that the verses are intended to found a modern theory of embryology; rather, it establishes that Shahrur reads them as serving this epistemic function.
Continue from Here
Brief Reading
The verses are presented as an example of a reading that sees in them knowledge of embryonic development and a correspondence with modern science.
Axes
- Linguistic and semantic
- Narrative and historical
Related Concepts
- Human creation: 2
- Genetic creation: 2
- Embryology: 2
Its Place in the Network of Concepts
It belongs to the network of cosmic verses read as indicating human creation.
Role of the Verse in the Argument
- Example: 3
Instances of Use
- Islam and the Human Being, p. 40: he cites it as evidence that the Qur’an provides scientific knowledge about embryonic development that modern science understands.
- Concept: Human creation
- Function of the verse here: Example
- Textual citation: “- { And indeed, We created the human being from an extract of clay … } (The Believers 12–14)”
- Islam and the Human Being, p. 42: he uses it as an example of verses read scientifically, linking it to modern embryology as a form of epistemic testimony.
- Concept: Genetic creation
- Function of the verse here: Example
- Textual citation: “In view of His saying, exalted be He: { And indeed, We created the human being from an extract of clay … } (The Believers 12–14)”
- The State and Society, pp. 153–154: he treats it as a scientific text corresponding to the stages of embryonic development, using it to show the inadequacy of the traditional reading in understanding cosmic verses.
- Concept: Embryology
- Function of the verse here: Example
- Textual citation: “{And indeed, We created the human being from an extract of clay…} (The Believers 12–14)”
- Corresponding traditional reading: In the heritage books, he finds concerning it only a few pages containing much scientific delusion.
Related Books
This page is presented within the general methodology for constructing the atlas.