Chapter 1: The Science of Biology and Quranic Instructions on Life

The Nature of Science and Human Intelligence Among all living organisms found on Earth, human beings are distinguished as the most intelligent ones. It is through the application of this innate intelligence that human beings began a journey of learning, a process that ultimately culminated in the systematic development of science. At its core, science is defined as a process of collecting information about the world that surrounds us. This process is fundamentally driven by the act of questioning, which constitutes the very first step in scientific inquiry. When observing plants, for example, a person might wonder why leaves are green or why flowers exhibit such a diverse array of colors. These questions are the catalyst for the scientific method. Science involves a continuous cycle of making observations, asking questions, and attempting to find reliable answers. Through the study of science, humans are equipped to answer the how, what, where, and why of their surroundings, such as understanding the physiological reason why an individual feels pain when touching a hot object. # Definition and Etymology of Biology The term biology is a word of Greek origin, composed of two specific roots: "bios," meaning life, and "logos," which translates to thought, reasoning, and study. In a formal sense, biology is defined as the scientific study of living organisms. The scope of this discipline is broad; it serves to explain the intricate ways in which living things relate to one another and the specific functions of their interactions with their physical surroundings. It provides the reasoning and evidence-aided thought required to understand the complexities of life itself. # Quranic Instructions and the Origin of Life The Holy Quran, described as a book for all times providing spiritual, moral, and practical knowledge, contains numerous verses that hinted at biological truths several hundred years before they were discovered by modern science. These verses provide insight into the origin of life and the nature of living things. One of the most significant concepts is the origin of life in water, as referenced in Sura Ambia $21$, Ayat-$30$: "We made every living thing from water." This Quranic assertion aligns with modern biological findings that living organisms are composed of between $60\%$ and $90\%$ water. This common requirement for water suggests that all living things share a common biological origin. # Creation and Developmental Stages of Man The Holy Quran also provides specific details regarding the creation and development of human beings. According to Sura Rehman $55$, Ayat $14$, "He created man from clay like (that of) pottery." This indicates that the creation of man involved a two-step process: the first step was the creation from water, and the second step involved the mixing of clay with water to form the human being. This shared origin in water implies that man shares all fundamental characteristics of life with other animals. Additionally, the Quranic text addresses the biological development of life, specifically the embryonic stages. This is referenced through the sequence found in the Arabic text from Sura Al-Mu’minun, which describes the transformation of a sperm-drop into a clinging clot ($al-alaqah$), then into a chewed-like lump ($al-mudghah$), and the subsequent formation of bones ($al-izam$) which are then clothed in flesh ($lahm$). This progression highlights the detailed developmental biological processes outlined in the Quranic instructions.