Alaqa
(ʿAlaqa)

Muzaffar Iqbal

ʿAlaqa, defined as “a thing that clings”, a derivative of the root ʿ-l-q, is mentioned six times in the Qurʾān as a stage during embryogenesis. It occurs five times in its singular form, ʿalaqa (Q 22:5; 23:14 twice; 40:67; 75:38) and once as genitive masculine indefinite noun ʿalaq (Q 96:2). The feminine passive participle of its second form, muʿallaqa, not dealt with in this entry, occurs once in Q 4:129 where it refers to a wife unjustly treated by her husband, treatment that leaves her, as it were, suspended (kaʾl-muʿallaqa; see Marriage and Divorce).

Definitions and Usage

The plural of ʿalaqaal-ʿalaq, is also the title of the ninety-sixth sura of the Qurʾān (also known as Sūrat Iqraʾ after its first word) where the word ʿalaq appears in the second verse.

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Exegetical Reflections

In classical exegetical literature, all six Qurʾānic references to ʿalaqa have been understood as referring to a form of blood that comes into existence as the second stage in embryogenesis.

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ʿAlaqa in Classical and Contemporary Discussions

Several rigorously authenticated Prophetic sayings mention these stages in the process of birth as being separated by a duration of forty days:

The components of creation of each one of you are collected in the womb of his mother for forty days; they then turn into ʿalaqa for an equal duration [of forty days]; then into a lump of flesh (muḍgha) for a similar period [of forty days].

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Bibliography

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Moore, Keith. “A Scientist’s Interpretation of the References to Embryology in the Qur’an.” The Journal of the Islamic Medical Association. Vol. 18 (January-June 1986):15-16.

Moore, Keith and T.V.N. Persaud. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. 6th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1998.

——. The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology with Islamic Additions. 3rd ed. Jeddah: Abul Qasim Publishing House, n.d.

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Yahya, Harun. The Miracle of the Human Creation. Trans. Ron Evans. New Delhi: Goodword Books, 2003.

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See also

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