"And of all things we have created pairs.." - what about hermaphroditic animals?
-
We all know that the Quran stipulates that all things are created in pairs (5149, 4312, 4211, etc etc)
But what about hermaphrodites?
Transexuals are people who self-identify as members of the opposite gender. So we can argue that this is caused by environmental factors growing up, or in the womb.
But hermaphrodites areher?maph?ro?dite
/hrm?frdat/ Show Spelled Show IPA
?noun
1.
an individual in which reproductive organs of both sexes are present. Compare pseudohermaphrodite.
2.
Biology . an organism, as an earthworm or plant, having normally both the male and female organs of generation.The only argument that I can think of regarding human hermaphrodites is that they are also caused by some environmental factors, such as excessive hormones in the womb or something like that. But if they aren't, does anyone have any alternate explanations?
But there are many types of animals that switch genders, including crustaceans, invertebrates, and even fish.
Hermaphrodites can be divided into two groups simultaneous hermaphrodites function as males and females at the same time; sequential hermaphrodites function first as one sex, then change to the other. And the sequential hermaphrodites can be either protandrous (male first) or protogynous (female first).
Anyone have any ideas?
-
We all know that the Quran stipulates that all things are created in pairs (5149, 4312, 4211, etc etc)
But what about hermaphrodites?
Transexuals are people who self-identify as members of the opposite gender. So we can argue that this is caused by environmental factors growing up, or in the womb.
But hermaphrodites areher?maph?ro?dite
/hrm?frdat/ Show Spelled Show IPA
?noun
1.
an individual in which reproductive organs of both sexes are present. Compare pseudohermaphrodite.
2.
Biology . an organism, as an earthworm or plant, having normally both the male and female organs of generation.The only argument that I can think of regarding human hermaphrodites is that they are also caused by some environmental factors, such as excessive hormones in the womb or something like that. But if they aren't, does anyone have any alternate explanations?
But there are many types of animals that switch genders, including crustaceans, invertebrates, and even fish.
Anyone have any ideas?
the hermaphroditic creatures have their reproductive organs made in male and female pair no?
-
the hermaphroditic creatures have their reproductive organs made in male and female pair no?
True, but what is the pair of the animal which contains both genders within itself at varying times? It has no pair, it is both genders all at once and requires no mate.
I see what you're arguing, but an understanding like that would mean that these verses speak specifically of genders as in "of everything we created 2 genders", and not of "mates" as some suggest.
But I still find it hard to see how an animal that can procreate by itself is any gender....to me it represents an animal without gender, it simply procreates when it chooses, it is neither male nor female, it is a gender all of its own.
-
"Pairs" doesn't necessarily refer to gender/mate.
Yes, you have matter and anti-matter. Besides, transgender people are more than just their gender identity. It doesn't have to be a biological pair (male/ female, provider/ nurturer) it could be a matter of pairing up based on emotional bonds.
-
Salaam Jack and sarah,
You both raise good points. I suppose the "pair" of the hermaphroditic fish and crustaceans could be other hermaphroditic fish that share something else in common with them.
But then we have to ask ourselves, why 2? Why is this an important quantity?
Before I thought the stress was on the genders, and that the duality of the genders is what is important and though-provoking, but I guess it is not the genders, but duality itself that is important for some reason unbeknownst to us.
-
Salaam THS,
Thanks for raising the issue.
But then we have to ask ourselves, why 2? Why is this an important quantity?
Think of it like this night and day (as in the verse I referenced), hot and cold, good and evil...
In addition, this is the main theme of the Quran. Who will you choose as your friend.. God or Satan? there is no third or fourth option.In my reading(s) of The Book, there is often more to it than what meets the eye; which shouldn't be surprising considering the source
-
Think of it like this. Night and Day (as in the verse I referenced), hot and cold, good and evil...
And heaven and hell!
It is odd that the Quran is divided into this either/or method. I always thought of people who thought in black and white terms as naive, and that life is much more complex than simple dualities.
-
I always thought of people who thought in black and white terms as naive, and that life is much more complex than simple dualities.
I agree. However, in order for it to be fallacious you have to enter a third option into the equation, don't you feel? To me, the pairs are being used to paint a picture. Even the fallacy itself can be black and white.
The difference here is that the Quran is speaking in a decisive manner. Yes we can be kind-of-good and kind-of-bad; however, eventually you are one or the other. You make the decision that, yes I am going to be a good person. I will make mistakes here and there, but I mean well. You are either good or bad, ultimately.
