Alaq –The clinging to Uterus

If we continue to examine the facts announced to us in the Qur’an, about the formation of human beings, we again encounter some very important scientific truth.
When the sperm of the male unites with the ovum of the female, the essence of the baby to be born is formed. This single cell, known as a “zygote” in biology, will instantly begin reproducing by dividing, and eventually become a “piece of flesh,” called an embryo. This, of course, can only be seen by human beings with the aid of a microscope.
The embryo, however, does not spend its developmental period in a void. It clings to the uterus, with something like roots that is firmly fixed to the earth by its tendrils. Through this bond, the embryo can obtain the substances essential to its development from the mother’s body.
Here, an important miracle of the Qur’an is revealed. While referring to the embryo developing in the mother’s womb, Allah uses the word “alaq” in the Qur’an:


096.001► اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ
096.002► خَلَقَ الإنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
096.003► اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الأكْرَمُ


Recite: In the name of your Lord Who created man from alaq. Recite: And your Lord is the Most Generous. (Qur’an, Al-Alaq- 96:1-3)


The meaning of the word “alaq” in Arabic is “a thing that clings to some place.” The word is literally used to describe leeches that cling to a body to suck blood.
Certainly, the use of such a specific word for the embryo developing in the mother’s womb, proves once again that the Qur’an is the word of Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds.