On humans created out of clay

[Shahmatt]

In 3:49 and in numerous other places the Quran refers to man being created out of clay.

My questions as follows.

1. Does the Arabic word used for "clay" literally interpret to that? Or can it also interpret to "something like clay"?

2. If a literal interpretation is what is intended, is the claim of humans being created from "clay" consistent with science? Clay, as I understand it, is primarily composed of Silicon, whilst humans are primarily Carbon based.

[optimist]

Study Suggests Clay Paved the Way for Evolution of Complex Animals  

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=study-suggests-clay-paved

O humanity! adhere to the Laws of your Sustainer Who initiated your creation with a single life-cell (6:99, 39:6) which split into two parts – one male and the other female – and through them spread so many men and women in the world (4:1)

"Nafsun vahida" in the above verse means "single  cell" and "Khalaqa minha Zaujaha" means splitting one cell into two  (if we assume "Adam" is referred in 'Nafsun Vahida' we will have to assume Eve was created from Adam).   Actually it is this wrong interpretation of meaning for  "Khalaqa minha Zaujaha"  is the reason for the corruption Eve was created from the rib of Adam!

Regards,
Optimist

[Shahmatt]

Thanks very much for the information.