AsalamuAlaikum,
The Claim
Another contention from commentators is that at this stage there are no real bones. It is argued that the apparent bones are mere cartilage as ossification is incomplete and, therefore, the Qur’an is inaccurate. They further assert that the Arabic term for cartilage, ghurdoofshould have been used instead of ᶜidhaam.
Although a valid contention is it misplaced for the following reasons:
1. The Arabic word for cartilage refers to a type of cartilage that is not a precursor to bones, but rather remains as flexible connective tissue. The skeptic replied by saying Hamza provides no evidence for this claim. But he does. He quotes Lanes Arabic lexicon which defined it as any soft bone like the bone in the Nose. The Nose only ever remains a flexible connective tissue. So Hamza's statement is correct.
2. The word ᶜidhaam encompasses the cartilaginous form of the bones as the skeletal framework is put in place. For me this is the biggest point is that Idhaam encompasses the cartilaginous bone.
3. The use of the word ᶜidhaam is more accurate because it also carries the meaning of “bone, but properly applied to the bones of the hands and feet, or of the arms and legs, of an animal, upon which is the flesh.†Since flesh - in other words muscles and tendons - is subsequently formed around the limb bones of the developing human, the use of the word ᶜidhaam is more apt as it encompasses the description of limb bones that have flesh upon them.
4. The process of ossification begins by the 8th week,and continues on after birth. The ossification process completes around puberty. As Barry Mitchell and Ram Sharma explain. From this perspective, it would be a medical absurdity to assume newborns or young teenagers do not have bones simply because they require ossification, especially since ossification completes at the end of the growth-spurt of puberty.
5. The biggest point is for me is the connotations of the word ᶜidhaam allow for an all-encompassing interpretation because the “cartilaginous models of the various bonesâ€are included in its meaning.
6. The Quran is not a science book.
7. Ghurdoof, as was defined by lanes Arabic Lexicon, specifically refers to the cartilage of the Nose or Ears so it would be innacurate to use it when describing the Embryo. Also if Allah did use this it would be confusing for the Companions and later generations as they understood this word to refer to only the bones in the Nose and Ear.
So in my eyes Ghurdoof would be erroneous if it was used. Due to it refering to the bone in the Nose and Ear which is nothing like the Cartilage in the Embryo and would be confusing to Arabic speakers. So Allah used the word Idhaam which encompasses this type of soft Bone. Also Idhaam is better as it refers to the bones of the Limbs, which begin to develop at this stage, unlike Ghurdoof which refers to soft bone in the Nose and Ear. Alhamdulillah that Allah picked this word. Anyways hope this helps in sha Allah brother Osama can write something.
