Author: Dr. Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 96)
The Miracle of Creation in Tiny Insects: The Mosquito and the Fly
Divine verses and Prophetic traditions (PBUH) demonstrate the precision and grandeur of creation even in the smallest and most delicate creatures, such as insects. The Noble Qur’an clearly indicates that seemingly small and weak beings—like the mosquito and the fly—possess profound roles and wisdom within the divine system of creation.
This section explores some of their extraordinary characteristics and the signs of divine precision manifested in them.
The Mosquito (Baudah) as an Example of Divine Precision
Allah says in the Noble Qur’an: “إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِ أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلٗا مَّا بَعُوضَةٗ فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا مَثَلٗا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرٗا وَيَهْدِي بِهِۦ كَثِيرٗا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ” [1] Translation: “Indeed, Allah is not ashamed to present an example—even of a mosquito or something greater than it. As for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, ‘What did Allah intend by this as an example?’ He misguides many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misguides not except the defiantly disobedient.”
This verse shows that even the smallest creatures reflect divine wisdom and precision in creation.
Physical Characteristics of the Mosquito
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Eyes: Compound eyes made of numerous hexagonal units.
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Mouthparts: Specialized piercing structures enabling it to penetrate skin and draw blood.
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Circulatory system: A dorsal vessel functioning like a heart, pumping hemolymph.
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Wings: Rapid wingbeats producing the characteristic buzzing sound.
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Legs: Equipped with delicate claws for standing on various surfaces.
Specialized Biological Systems
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Heat detection: Mosquitoes detect body heat and carbon dioxide, enabling them to locate hosts even in darkness.
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Selective feeding: They respond to chemical signals in choosing hosts.
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Anesthetic effect: Their saliva contains substances that reduce immediate sensation during biting.
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Anticoagulant mechanism: Their saliva also contains blood-thinning agents that facilitate smooth blood flow.
The Miracle of the Qur’an and the Mosquito
Ibn al-Qayyim’s Statement on the Verse of the Mosquito
Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) says regarding Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 26: “فإن ضرب الأمثال بالبعوضة فما فوقها، إذا تضمن تحقيق الحق وإيضاحه وإبطال الباطل وإدحاضه، كان من أحسن الأشياء.”[2] Translation: “If giving examples with a mosquito or something greater than it includes establishing the truth, clarifying it, invalidating falsehood, and refuting it, then it is among the finest and most excellent of things.”
This means that presenting the example of a mosquito—or similar small creatures—for the purpose of clarifying truth and refuting falsehood is among the best rhetorical methods, and there is nothing shameful in doing so.
Comparison with Great Creatures: From the Mosquito to the Blue Whale
The creation of a mosquito is not less significant than the creation of the blue whale. The blue whale, which weighs more than 150 tons, and whose calf may consume approximately 300 kilograms of milk in a single feeding, is indeed an example of magnificent creation. Yet the mosquito, with its delicate structure and complex biological systems, represents a small but equally astonishing sign of divine precision.
Allah says: “ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٖ طِبَاقٗا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَٰوُتٖ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٖ”[3] Translation: “[He] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see any inconsistency in the creation of the Most Merciful. So return your vision; do you see any breaks?”
Every creature—from the smallest viruses to the largest galaxies—possesses its own precise system and order.
The Fly and the Miracle of Creation
Allah says in the Noble Qur’an: “يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٞ فَٱسْتَمِعُواْ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُواْ ذُبَابٗا وَلَوِ ٱجْتَمَعُواْ لَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيْـٔٗا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلْمَطْلُوبُ” [4] Translation: “O mankind, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those whom you invoke besides Allah will never create even a fly, even if they gathered together for that purpose. And if the fly should snatch away something from them, they could not recover it from it. Weak are the pursuer and the pursued.”
This noble verse makes clear that despite its small and seemingly insignificant nature, the fly possesses extraordinary characteristics, and humanity remains incapable of creating even such a tiny living being.
Extraordinary Characteristics of the Fly
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Eyes: The fly’s eyes consist of thousands of tiny lenses, providing it with broad and detailed vision.
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Speed and manoeuvrability: It can move vertically and suddenly change direction—manoeuvres that even advanced aircraft cannot perfectly replicate.
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Nervous system and memory: The fly possesses a developed nervous system, memory capacity, and the ability to learn.
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Natural antibiotic resistance: It can survive in toxic environments and preserve its species.
Prophetic Hadith and Scientific Confirmation
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “إذا وقع الذباب في شراب أحدكم فليغمسه ثم لينزعه، فإن في إحدى جناحيه داء والأخرى شفاء.” [5] Translation: “If a fly falls into the drink of one of you, let him immerse it completely and then remove it, for in one of its wings there is disease and in the other there is healing.”
Scientific studies have suggested that certain substances associated with flies may counteract microbial agents, which some scholars cite as a remarkable indication of Prophetic knowledge.
Explanation of Ibn al-Qayyim in Al-Tibb al-Nabawi
Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) writes in (Al-Tibb al-Nabawi) Book: This hadith contains two dimensions: a jurisprudential dimension and a medical dimension.
Regarding the medical aspect, he explains that the fly carries a harmful element that causes irritation and inflammation. When it falls into something, it defends itself using this harmful property. Therefore, the Prophet (PBUH) instructed that it be fully immersed so that the beneficial element in the other wing may counteract the harmful one.
He concludes: “ومع هذا فالطبيب العالم العارف الموفق يخضع لهذا العلاج، ويقر لمن جاء به بأنه أكمل الخلق على الإطلاق، وأنه مؤيد بوحي إلهي خارج عن القوى البشرية.”[6] Translation: “Even so, the knowledgeable, skilled, and successful physician submits to this treatment and acknowledges that the one who brought it is the most perfect of creation absolutely, and that he is supported by divine revelation beyond human capacity.”
Environmental and Functional Role of Insects
Mosquitoes and flies play significant ecological roles, including decomposing waste materials and preventing the accumulation of harmful substances. Their presence also serves as a reminder for humans to maintain hygiene and environmental health.
Conclusion
The mosquito and the fly, though small and often disliked, represent powerful signs of divine order, precision, and perfection in creation. Many characteristics of these insects, which modern science has gradually discovered, were referenced in the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions centuries ago.
Reflecting upon even the smallest creatures leads humanity toward contemplation, environmental responsibility, and deeper appreciation of divine wisdom.
Allah says: قُلِ ٱنظُرُواْ مَاذَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَا تُغْنِي ٱلْـَٔايَٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٖ لَّا يُؤْمِنُون [7] Translation: Say Observe what is in the heavens and the earth.’ But neither signs nor Warners benefit a people who do not believe. [8]
Continues…
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References:
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:26
[3] Al-Mulk 67:3
[4] Al-Hajj 22:73
[5] Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Creation, Hadith no. 3142
[6] Ibn al-Qayyim, Al-Tibb al-Nabawi, p. 84
[7] Yunus 10:101
[8] Summary adapted from Mawsuʿat al-Iʿjaz al-ʿIlmi fi al-Qurʾan wa al-Sunnah, vol. 2, pp. 218–227
