Scientific Errors in the Quran

In Scientific Errors in the Quran, Dr. Maxwell Shimba critically examines several claims made in the Quran regarding scientific knowledge, particularly highlighting inconsistencies with modern science. The book argues that the Quran, often proclaimed by its followers to be infallible, contains numerous scientific inaccuracies, many of which reflect the limited understanding of the natural world at the time of its writing. Dr. Shimba provides examples across various disciplines, including embryology, astronomy, and geology, to demonstrate how these descriptions contradict current scientific knowledge.

One of the central themes of the book is the Quran’s description of embryological development, which Shimba scrutinizes as scientifically flawed. For instance, the Quran uses the term 'alaqa’ (clot) to describe a stage in human development, a concept that modern embryology does not support. According to current science, there is no stage in fetal development resembling a clot of congealed blood, as described in the Quran. This and other examples, such as the formation of bones before muscles, are presented to illustrate how the Quran’s descriptions are inconsistent with contemporary scientific understanding.

Another key issue Shimba addresses is the Quran’s cosmological claims, including the idea that mountains serve as 'pegs’ to prevent the earth from shaking and that the sun sets in a muddy spring. These descriptions, he argues, are scientifically erroneous and reflect the ancient, pre-scientific worldview of the time. Dr. Shimba concludes that these inaccuracies challenge the Quran’s claim to divine origin and infallibility, calling for a reevaluation of the traditional assertions surrounding its teachings.