The Superior Features in the Body of the Mosquito

6:31

24 May 2013

Biology, Evolution

This Harun Yahya group clip uses the example of a mosquito as “proof of creation” rather than evolution.  The mosquito’s feeding process on humans is described as “miraculous”, a form of iʿjāz since it’s used to “prove” God.  The discussion here borders on both intelligent design and irreducible complexity without being exactly either of them.

The video provides a translation of verses 22:73-74, which talks about people not being able to create even a fly.  The last minute and a half of the video is a recitation of 2:26-27 by Ahmed Saied al-Omrany.  The translation here uses mosquito, while most English translations use “gnat”.  (See translations by M.A.S. Abdel-Haleem or M.H. Shakir, for instance.)

The video is a combination of computer-generated graphics and clips from nature shows with a single narrator.  There are no dates or credits, except on the Qurʾānic recitation at the end.

Evaluation:

The material on Islam is within the bounds of what Muslims have historically understood as acceptable, although Qurʾānic translations will vary on some of the key terms.

There is nothing particularly miraculous about the mosquito’s feeding process; thousands of insects feed on human blood.  See the article here for more information.  Scientists and others find applying science as “proof” of a religious text problematic.  See more in this video.  The basic facts about the mosquito are generally accepted, however.

There is insufficient historical material on which to base an evaluation.