 Thus, earth and the rest of the elements change into plants, plants-when eaten by animals-into blood, blood then changing into sperm. Sperm is then poured into the womb and develops in stages as an animal; this, in accordance with habit, takes place in a lengthy period of time. Why, then, should the opponent deem it impossible that it lies within God’s power to cycle matter through these stages in a time shorter than has been known? (al-Ghazālī IP: 172)