Epigraph

We created man from an essence of clay, then We placed him as a drop of fluid in a safe place, then We made that drop into a clinging form, and We made that form into a lump of flesh, and We made that lump into bones, and We clothed those bones with flesh, and later We made him into other forms –– glory be to God, the best of creators! –– then you will die and then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be raised up again. (Al Quran 23:12-16)

Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD

Abstract

Surah Al-Mu’minūn (“The Believers,” Quran 23) weaves together themes of creation, morality, and resurrection into a unified vision of life’s purpose. This commentary highlights how the chapter connects the first creation – from the embryonic development of humans to the formation of the cosmos and earth – with the promise of a second creation in the Afterlife. Verses 1–11 open by describing the moral qualities of true believers and the assurance that they will “inherit Paradise”, linking psychological virtues to ultimate success. Verses 12–22 then outline human creation from clay and a drop of fluid through embryological stages, immediately segueing into the declaration of death and resurrection, thus scientifically and spiritually bridging biology (embryology) with belief in the Hereafter. The Surah subsequently recalls the stories of Prophet Noah and other prophets, illustrating the continuity of the message of accountability across generations. Notably, the discourse on Afterlife resurfaces powerfully in verses 31–38 and 78–87 – past communities’ skepticism of resurrection is recounted and refuted by pointing to God’s creative power and the signs in nature and within ourselves. In a scholarly yet accessible manner, this analysis integrates insights from contemporary writings by Zia H. Shah MD and others to connect biology, cosmology, and even geology to the Quran’s vision of resurrection, and to explore how the believers’ psychology of faith and accountability shapes their destiny. An epilogue offers a thematic synthesis, underscoring how Surah 23 harmonizes modern scientific understanding with spiritual principles, ultimately affirming that the One who originated life and the universe can surely bring about new life in the world to come.

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