DEVELOPMENTAL PERIODS

The developmental stages of insan (human being) are described in Qur’an by the Creator Himself. HE says.

O people, if you have any doubt about Life-after-death, you should know that WE first created you of clay, then of a sperm-drop, then of a clot of blood, then a lump of flesh, shaped or shapeless.

(WE are telling you this) so that WE make the reality plain to you. And WE cause whom WE will to remain in the wombs for a fixed period, then WE bring you out as an infant; then (WE nourish you) so that you may attain to your full youth.

And there may be among you one who is returned to the most abject/miserable age so that he should know nothing even after knowing all he could.

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What is the matter with you that you do not expect for ALLAH any dignity, although HE has created you in successive stages. Al-Nuh. Surah 71. Ayyaat Para 29.

Human life, in all its stages, is glorified and honored in Islam. Customarily development of human being is divided into: Prenatal period. The period before birth. Postnatal period. The period after birth.

Prenatal Period EMBRYO (Gr. Embryon) FETUS (L. unborn offspring)

Embryo The developing structure of Insan between third to eighth weeks is called embryo. By this time the beginning (Primordia of organs) of all major structures are present.

Fetus After 8th week the developing human being is called fetus. Fetal period is 9th week to birth. Here there is differentiation and growth of the structures formed during embryonic period.

Qur’an has also used many terms regarding the development of Insan. Understanding the origin of embryological terms used by our Creator Himself in the Qur’an adds clarity and often serves as a memory key. The Qur’anic terms used for development during prenatal period are as follows.

NUTFAH Does not insan see that it is We Who created him from sperm? Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open adversary! Yaseen. Surah 36. Ayat 77. Para 23.

NUTFAH  It is a comprehensive term used in the Qur’an and includes 1.male and female gametes, 2.zygote, 3.morula, 4.and blastocyst before implantation 5.and part of fluid in their natural environments. (The Developing Human Third Edition With Islamic Additions 1983 Page 12f)

So the sperms with seminal fluid, products of ovulation, fertilized egg and the state of Insan during first 6 to 7 days or 1st week after fertilization in intrauterine life are included in the term Nutfah. So according to Keith L. Moore and Abdul- Majeed A. Azzindani following are the components of Nutfah.

Components of Nutfah Secondary Oocyte This is the female germ cell produced in ovaries. It develops in the period between the first and second maturation division. It is derived from primary oocyte shortly before ovulation. It is the secondary oocyte that ovulates. If fertilized, the secondary oocyte divides and form ovum (L. ovum, egg) or ootid; otherwise it perishes.

Sperm (Gr. Sperma, seed) This is the mature male germ cell produced in testes.

Zygote (Gr. Zgotos, yoked together) This is a fertilized egg capable of developing into a new individual.

Morula (L. morus, mulberry). A mulberry-shaped mass of 12 or more cells is called morula. The cells are called blastomeres. The blastomeres change their shape and tightly align themselves against each other to form a compact ball of cells. This phenomenon – compaction – is probably mediated by cell surface adhesion glycoproteins (Gilbert, 1997). When 12 or more blastomeres have formed, the spherical group of cells is called a morula. It was given this name because of its resemblance to the fruit of a mulberry tree. The morula stage occurs 3 to 4 days after fertilization, just as the developing human enters the uterus.

Blastocyst (Gr. Blastos, germ + Kistis, bladder). Blastocyst is a follicle – like structure containing a fluid filled cavity, surrounded by cells. When morula enters the uterine cavity, fluid starts entering the morula and a fluid-filled cavity – the blastocyst cavity – develops inside it. The inner cell mass is shifted to one side forming embryonic pole of the blastocyst.

ALAQAH This is a Qur’anic term. It is the presomite embryo, It starts with implantation (7th day) to the beginning (20th day) of the formation of somites. (The Developing Human Third Edition With Islamic Additions 1983 Page 12f).

MUDGHAH This is again a Qur’anic term. It is the somite formation period. It starts on 20th day when first pair of somites appears and ends on 35th day when all somites have developed. (The Developing Human Third Edition With Islamic Additions 1983 Page 12f).

EMBRYO (Gr. Embryon) The developing structure of Insan between 3rd to 8th weeks is called embryo. By this time the beginning (Primordia of organs) of all major structures are present.

FETUS (L. unborn offspring) After 8th week the developing human being is called fetus. Fetal period is 9th week to birth. Here there is differentiation and growth of the structures formed during embryonic period.

Postnatal Period ALLAH brought you out of your mothers’ wombs in this state that you knew nothing: HE gave you ears and eyes and thinking minds so that you may be grateful. Al-Nahl. Surah 16. Ayat 78. Para 14.

He is Who created you from dust, then from a sperm, then from a clot of blood, then He delivers you as an infant, then He makes you to grow up to attain to full strength (adulthood), then makes you to grow further to reach old age. And someone of you is recalled earlier so that you may reach an appointed time and may understand the reality. HE is WHO gives life and ordains death. Whatever HE decrees, HE only commands it to be and it is. Al-Mu’min, Surah 40. Ayat Para 24.

The terms used for different stages of life in postnatal period are explained below: Development does not stop at birth. Important changes, in addition to growth occur after birth (e.g., development of teeth and female breasts). The brain triples in weight between birth and 16 years; most developmental changes are completed by the age of 25.

 NEONATAL PERIOD: First four weeks after birth is neonatal period. Insan is called neonate.  INFANCY: First year after birth is infancy. Insan is called infant. By the end of first year –The total length of body has increased by about one-half. –The weight increases three times. –There are six to eight deciduous or primary teeth. [L. Deciduus, to fall of]

CHILDHOOD: The period of Insan from the beginning of second year to the onset of puberty is called childhood. During childhood primary teeth are replaced by secondary or permanent teeth. PUBERTY: [L. Pubertas, development of sex characteristics] It is sexual maturity. It is the period of the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the growing Insan attains the capability of sexual reproduction. In girls it is between 12 and 15 years. In boys it is between 13 to 16 years.

ADOLESCENCE: This is the period of life beginning with the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics and terminating with the cessation of somatic growth. It is the period from about 11 to 19 years of age. It extends from the earliest signs of sexual maturity to the attainment of physical, mental and emotional maturity. Pubertal period is included in the adolescence. Thus adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood. ADULTHOOD: The fully-grown and mature Insan is called adult. The adulthood starts by the 20 years of age, its peak is at 40 years of age and ends at 60 years of age. Ossification and growth are virtually completed during early adulthood, 25 years.

We have enjoined on man to treat his parents with kindness. His mother bore him with pain and she gave him birth with pain. And his bearing (pregnancy) and his weaning (lactation) took thirty months. Till, when he attained to the age of his full strength and reached forty years of age; he said "O my RUBB! Arouse me (grant me the grace) that I may be grateful for your favor you have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and that I may do such good work as may please you and make my children also good to comfort me. Truly I have turned to you in repentance and truly I am of those who have surrendered to you as Muslims." Al-Ahqaf. Surah 46. Ayat 15. Para 26.

OLD AGE: Sixty onward is old age. Regarding this stage of life Qur’an tells us. Whomsover WE grant a long life, WE just reverse him in nature and constitution. Do they not understand anything (from this). Yasin, Surah 36. Ayat 68. Para 23