NUTFAH – نطفة

 

Literally: Clean and pure water. An overflood and spilt water. A portion of water that has stood some time in a vessel; or, a remnant of water in a vessel. Sperma genitalis. The combination of two cells from different genders in the womb.

 

اَوَ لَمْ يَرَ اْلاِنْسَانُ اَنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ فَاِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُبِينٌ 1 to the end of the Surah.

In this discussion of the resurrection of the dead, Al-Qur'an Al-Hakîm proves the resurrection in seven or eight different ways. Firstly it draws attention to the first creation, saying: "You see your creation from nutfah to a blood-clot, from a blood-clot to a foetus lump, and from that to the human creation, so how is it that you deny the second creation, which is like it or even easier?" The Words ( 437 )