Pain Receptors in Skin
The Quran implies pain is felt through skin - confirmed by discovery of cutaneous nociceptors.
كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَاهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ
Kullamā naḍijat julūduhum baddalnāhum julūdan ghayrahā liyadhūqul-'adhāb
“Every time their skins are roasted through, We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment.”
610-632 CE
The verse describing this phenomenon was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Time Gap
1,300+ years
Before scientific confirmation
20th century CE
Charles Sherrington / modern neuroscience confirmed: Pain Receptors (Nociceptors) in the Skin
This verse describes a punishment in the Hereafter where skins are replaced after being burned so that punishment can be "tasted" (felt). The implicit scientific principle is profound: pain is felt through the skin, and once skin is destroyed, the sensation of pain in that area is lost.
Modern neuroscience confirms this. Pain receptors (nociceptors) are concentrated in the dermis layer of skin. In third-degree burns where the skin is completely destroyed, victims often report that the burned area itself doesn't hurt - they feel pain only at the edges where partial burns have occurred.
The Quran's statement that new skins would need to be provided to continue feeling pain reflects an understanding of pain physiology that was not scientifically established until the 20th century.
Phenomenon
Pain Receptors (Nociceptors) in the Skin
Discovered By
Charles Sherrington / modern neuroscience
Year Discovered
20th century
Time Gap
1,300+ years
Pain is sensed by specialized nerve endings called nociceptors, which are concentrated in the skin. When skin is severely burned (third-degree burns), these nerve endings are destroyed, and the victim cannot feel pain in that area.
The Quran's description of skins being replaced so punishment can be "tasted" (felt) is scientifically accurate - pain sensation is dependent on intact skin with functioning nociceptors. The verse implicitly acknowledges that: 1. Pain is sensed through the skin 2. Destroyed skin cannot feel pain 3. New skin would be needed to restore pain sensation
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Sources & References
4 sources cited on this page