Nesma Elsakaan
Department of Humanities University of Palermo, I
Michele Longo
Department of Humanities University of Palermo, I
Keywords:
Qur’an, Generation , ‘Alaqah
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to answer two questions: is there a section in the Qur’an that describes the human embryo development? Second, if such a case existed, could it be compared to the Greek theories of generation?
The answer to both questions is affirmative. In the first part of this paper, we discuss some Quranic verses talking about the embryo development.
We also outline how the terminology (nuṭfah, ‘alaqah, muḍghah) used for expressing the embryo development in these verses involves complex translation challenges. In the second part, we compare the Quranic verses to two Greek theories of generation. Finally, we highlight a little-known aspect of the Quranic text worthy of study.
