وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الإِنسَانَ مِن سُلالَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ 

Verily We have created man from the elements of clay,

  The Quran describes the science of embryology in precise manner, step by step.  These steps were proven correct 1300 years later when the science of embryology came of age.

Ø  The word (Tdeen) means wet soil.  If you analyze the soil you will find every needed element for the construction of the human body.  But the mystery is how to put these elements in proper proportion to fit in its chemistry, physics, physiology, anatomy, and developmental potential among other things.

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ    

then We made that into a cell in a firm resting place

Allah (swt) says He has made His creation from the soil into a cell in a secure place.  This was the first description of a cell in the world's history, before the microscope was developed by about 1,000 years, and before anyone knew of histology!!

Ø  Allah (swt) arranged these elements to form cells and these cells formed tissues and organs which formed a body pulsing with life.  And this body was made in such a way as to function only according to specific rules and regulations governing it.  And not only that but with a capacity to adjust and accommodate.

Ø  As tiny as it is, a cell is a microscopic compartment but very much like a huge factory, yet it is far more efficient than any factory.

Ø  Allah safeguarded the cell in a secure place, the uterus, where the fertilized ovum (egg) stays safely and securely, but in a fast and continuo­us development.  The word secure means hiding safely from physical harm or influence, and provided with hormones, oxygen, and nourishment.

  Please note two words: then, and made that.  When Allah said, "We created man from the elements of the soil," He mentioned the word created.  The word then came afterwards to give a sense of time period, that it took some time before Allah made it into a cell.  Allah did not use the word created for a second time, because He made the cell to have the potential to procreate and develop on its own, a more difficult thing to do.

ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً 

then We made the cell into an embryo (clot)

  The word then is used again because it takes several weeks before the cell develops enough to become an embryo.  The word Alaka means leech-like, not unlike congealed blood, with some life in it.  This is how an embryo looks in its first stage of development in the uterus—a tiny misshapen mass with engorged tissues and blood vessels around to give it nourish­ment and security.  This embryo may give the impression of a leech‑like appearance, curved on itself.  In certain parts of the Arabic world, the word Alaka as it appears here is also used for similar looking worms.

  A man of science cannot but stand in awe at such precise description of man's development at first!  First the cell, with its complex requirements to function and develop properly, then its development into an embryo, not unlike congealed blood, curved on itself leech-like!

 فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً  

and soon after We made the embryo into a fetus (lump)

  Allah (swt) does not put the word then in here, instead He uses the phrase soon after because it doesn't take long for an embryo to become a fetus so the word soon after was proper.

  Allah describes the fetus as a mass of living tissue, like chewed piece of gum, not as shapely as a human being, but having its own peculiarities, and with pulsating life.

فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا  

and soon after We made in the lump of flesh, bones.

  To an ordinary mind the most obvious of the organs are the bones.  Rather than say, soon after "We have made organs out of this fetus," Allah expresses Himself in a simpler language easy to understand by the average man, He uses the word bones rather than organs.

Ø  Note again that the phrase soon after was used, because the sequence of development of the organs is rapid, each has to take its precise timing and specific qualifications.  These organs develop collectively according to a special timing, so that each organ functions in its own way in a precise manner.

Ø  All the changes in the hormones, enzymes, nutrients, and tissues are done systematically in very precise order, all of it done for us free, without us having to do much.

فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا  

and soon after We clothed the bones with flesh

  The phrase soon after is used once more to indicate the fetus continues to develop to become shapely and recognizable.  Flesh in the form of meat, fat (subcutaneous fat) covered by skin gradually appear in increasing proportion to give cover and protection to the developing bones.

  This development takes place within a short period in such an orderly manner that boggles the mind.  And equally precise the Holy Quran described this fourteen centuries ago!!

ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ  

thereafter We caused it to grow into another creation;

  It is indicated here that human will be born and develop once again to become an adult.  The adults will get married to start the cycle of embryology all over again, and this will continue into future generations.

  The term then issued here indicates the length of time needed for a new generation.  More significant than that is the word Akher meaning another.  This involves the science of genetics indicating the new creature will not be an exact image of his father or mother, be it he or she, but to be different in looks, behavior, aptitude, and intelli­gence than either his mother or father.  It will be a new product (not a duplicate), standing on its own.

فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ  

So blessed be Allah the best of the Creators.

  Allah Almighty has produced a marvel, so blessed is He for what He had done and what He will do.  It is a marvel of a scientific work, astonishing, and an astounding description of embryology.  It overwhelms a person to think how this Ayah describes so much so accurately and eloquently!

ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ  
Then verily after all that you shall die,

  This is a reminder that all living things will die at their appointed time.  It is a reminder that there will be an end to all of us, and in an indirect way that we will be recreated again on the Day of Judgment to start the permanent life in a different manner, and different surroundings.  This also reminds us of the certainty of the coming life and for us to prepare for it.

ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ  

Then, as surely, on the Day of Judgment you shall

be raised up.

  This is to emphasize the coming of the Day of Judgment.  It is the Day when the billions of people, past, present, and future, are created again to be given their judgment by Allah.  All our elements will be put back again, from our calcium, potassium, sodium, carbon, hydro­gen, to oxygen, or other elements.

  Not just you and I will be restored to life again but all humanity!  Imagine!

  It is a mammoth task, but Allah who created us will once again repeat the process.