Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection): (37) Did he not become a drop of fluid...

Two Issues Herein:

The word نُطْفَة (nuṭfah) means a small amount of water, and its plurals are nuṭāf and nuṭaf. The verse means: Did he not become a small amount of water in the loins of the man and the collarbones (or chest area) of the woman?

The phrase مِنْ مَنِيٍّ يُمْنَى (min maniyyin yumnā) means "ejected/poured into the womb." We have already discussed the meaning of yumnā when interpreting the verse: "from a drop when it is emitted" (An-Najm: 46) and "Have you seen what you emit?" (Al-Wāqi‘ah: 58).

If one asks: What is the benefit of using the passive form يُمْنَى (yumnā) in the phrase "from a drop that is poured"?

We reply: It indicates the insignificance of his state. It is as if it is said: He was created from semen that passes through the exit of impurity. Therefore, it is not fitting for such a thing to rebel against obedience to God Almighty. However, this meaning is conveyed implicitly, as a hint, similar to His saying regarding Jesus and Mary: "They both used to eat food" (Al-Mā’idah: 75), which implies the necessity of relieving oneself (i.e., bodily functions).

Regarding يُمْنَى (yumnā) in this Surah, there are two readings: one with a tā’ (ت) and one with a yā’ (ي).

1. The reading with the tā’ (تُمنى - tumnā) refers back to the nuṭfah (drop), implying: Did he not become a drop that is emitted from the semen?
2. The reading with the yā’ (يُمنى - yumnā) refers back to the manī (semen), meaning: He is created from the semen that is poured out.

< { Then he became a clinging clot, and He created and proportioned [him] } >