abdulmuhsee
7th April 2008, 07:28 PM
Assalemu Alaikum,
In Maurice Bucaille's book, 'The Bible, The Qur'an, and Science,' the author examines a certain verse that has become a subject of confusion to me. I will quote the text below.
Two verses in the Qur'an deal with sexual relations themselves. They are described in terms which unite the need for precision with that of decency. When translations and explanatory commentaries are consulted however, one is struck by the divergences between them. I have pondered for a long time on the translation of such verses, and am indebted to Doctor A. K. Giraud, Former Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, for the following:
--sura 86, verse 6 and 7:
"(Man) was fashioned from a liquid poured out. It issued (as a result) of the conjunction of the sexual area of the man and the sexual area of the woman."
The sexual area of the man is indicated in the text of the Qur'an by the world sulb (singular). The sexual areas of the woman are designated in the Qur'an by the word tara'ib (plural). This is the translation which appears to be most satisfactory. It is different from the one that is often given by English and French translators, i.e.:
"(Man) has been created by a liquid poured out which issues from between the vertebral column and the bones of the breast."
This would seem more to be an interpretation than a translation. It is hardly comprehensible.
My question is, what is the exact linguistic meaning of this verse? Part of me believes that the author is using his own divergent translation and interpretation of the verse since it might contradict scientific fact, as sperm does not come from between the ribs and spine. How should one address this verse, and does it really claim that sperm originates from the chest area instead of the testicles? Juzzak Allah Khair.
Was'Salem
In Maurice Bucaille's book, 'The Bible, The Qur'an, and Science,' the author examines a certain verse that has become a subject of confusion to me. I will quote the text below.
Two verses in the Qur'an deal with sexual relations themselves. They are described in terms which unite the need for precision with that of decency. When translations and explanatory commentaries are consulted however, one is struck by the divergences between them. I have pondered for a long time on the translation of such verses, and am indebted to Doctor A. K. Giraud, Former Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, for the following:
--sura 86, verse 6 and 7:
"(Man) was fashioned from a liquid poured out. It issued (as a result) of the conjunction of the sexual area of the man and the sexual area of the woman."
The sexual area of the man is indicated in the text of the Qur'an by the world sulb (singular). The sexual areas of the woman are designated in the Qur'an by the word tara'ib (plural). This is the translation which appears to be most satisfactory. It is different from the one that is often given by English and French translators, i.e.:
"(Man) has been created by a liquid poured out which issues from between the vertebral column and the bones of the breast."
This would seem more to be an interpretation than a translation. It is hardly comprehensible.
My question is, what is the exact linguistic meaning of this verse? Part of me believes that the author is using his own divergent translation and interpretation of the verse since it might contradict scientific fact, as sperm does not come from between the ribs and spine. How should one address this verse, and does it really claim that sperm originates from the chest area instead of the testicles? Juzzak Allah Khair.
Was'Salem