I am currently writing a rebuttal to the article 'embryology in the Quran' by Dr.Lactantius on 'Answering-islam' site, which i will post to your readers article section soon (inshallah). I would be very greatful if you could answer the following criticism of the word Alaq by the critic:

'However, the translators of the Qur'an have all translated alaq as "clot" as opposed to "clinging" in 96:2 because the use of the singular alaqa elsewhere forces them to use "clot" here too, despite the attraction for the meaning "clinging" or leech-like which is perhaps more scientifically accurate'.

Is it true that while 'alaq' can mean clinging thing and leech 'alaqa' cannot? could you please provide any references.

Jazakallah

Nadeem Arif Najmi

There is no difference in the meaning of "Alaqah" or "Alaq", with reference to their usage in the related verses. From a morphological perspective, "Alaq" is an infinitive noun, which, when rendered as a proper noun in the Arabic language, is generally used to imply either the active or the passive participle. Thus, "Al-Alaq" means something which sticks or clings or something made to stick or cling. On the other hand, "Alaqah" is the singular form of the noun, implying a sticky or a clinging thing.

Thus, lexologists explain "Alaqah" as: A piece or one part of 'Alaq'. As for the referred writer's contention that the word 'Alaqah' is not used for something which sticks or clings. It is clearly based on false information. According to the lexicon "Mukhtar al-Sihah":

العلق الدم الغليظ والقطعة منه علقة والعلقة أيضا دودة في الماء تمص الدم (مختار الصحاح ج 1، ص 189)

Al-Alaq is used for thickened (due to drying) blood and a piece therefrom is called Alaqah. And "Al-Alaqah" is also used for a maggot, which lives in waters and sucks blood.

This should adequately clarify that Alaqah is used as a singular noun for Alaq, irrespective of the meaning of Alaq. Kitab al-`Ain says:

العلق الدم الجامد قبل أن ييبس والقطعة علقة والعلقة دويبة حمراء تكون في الماء (العين ج 1، ص 161)

Al-Alaq is solidified blood before it is completely dried. A piece of it is called Alaqah. And 'Alaqah' is also used for a red colored insect in water.

A similar meaning of Alaqah is also stated by 'Al-Misbah al-Muneer'.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Moiz Amjad
March 2, 2002