The quran was not meant to be a science textbook. Also, in this way, the verse can be interpreted in many different ways, which could all very well be true. It could mean, like I thought, that all living things contain water. It could mean that there is more water in a living organism than any other substance. It could mean that living things started out it water. All those are perfectly reasonable interpretations of the aya, and all of them are true (btw, clay is a bunch of clay material and water, so that interpretation does not contradict the fact that Allah created Adam from clay). So you've got several meanings all in 5 concise arabic words; quite awesome, in my opinion.

If the quran was going to be written like a science textbook, and include all those meanings it would be much longer, such as:
all living things contain water
there is more water in a living organism than any other substance
all living things started out it water.

And this is just talking about water, something that is mentioned one, or a few (not sure, exactly) times in the quran. Imagine every time Allah talked about the embryo or the heavens and earth he had to go through every single thing meant? The quran would go from being a book to being volumes and volumes; plus, it would turn into a textbook, which it wasn't meant to be in the first place. It is a science book, a history book, a theology book, a math book (if you consider the number miracles as math), a biology book, and I could just go on and on. With short, to the point ayas, Allah conveyed several meanings. Maybe that is why you find it ambiguous.

and we made every living thing of water

No living being consists entirely of water
nor was created entirely from water. Those 2, right?

For the first one, the verse did not say living things consisted entirely out of water, as Abdul Fattah pointed out. It also did not say that they were created solely from water.

all living things contain water- when you make something out of a substance, say using flour to make a cake, there remains some of that substance in the final product. using this logic, if water was used to create living things, water will remain in them.
there is more water in a living organism than any other substance- the verse did not say "we made every living thing of carbon" or "nitrogen". it said water, therefore, that would be the most important, or most abundant, substance in a living thing.
all living things started out in water.- "made of water" could mean that we used water to make living things.


But this could go on forever, I guess...:P

Wa Allahu A'lam, God knows best.

Just to add, if one is not sure of the meaning of a verse, it should be left to scholars. Interpretation of the quran is a whole science unto itself, and needs years and years of studying, and immersement in the material, before one attempt to assess what is meant by each verse oneself.

Did you ever wonder why the Allah says that these are signs for men of knowledge? It is because the believers, who are guided, recognize the truth and know it is from Allah. Disbelievers refuse to belive it unless it specifies the exact amount of water that we are made up of. Perhaps you need another line drawn for you from the verse to it's miraculous nature just like the google earth thread eh Whatsthepoint?

Of course, you are right. Allaah did know everything

...
Ok, let me give you an example of a verse I find truely amazing, although not as impressive as the day I first came across it.
It's the one about the splitting of the moon and all the numbers involved. I'm sure you're familiar with it, if not there's plenty of threads about it.
This watery thingy is nothing special, the alleged google Earth miracle is interesting, as I said.

As Salaam Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

According to some Muslim scholars, the natural world can be divided into three main components: the first being water, the source of all life; second, the atmosphere; and finally, the plant and animal kingdoms (Ba Kader et al., 1983; see also Khalid and O'Brien, 1992). The teachings of the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad contain guidelines on how to interact with these components of the natural world.

Water is the source of all living things in more ways than one — [We made every living thing from water] (Al-Anbiyaa' 21:30) — and is essential for their survival. Because of the importance and necessity of water, under Islamic law all living beings are granted equal privileges and equal access to water as a right. In this case, no distinction is made between humans and any other creature.

In addition to being a source of drinking and irrigation, water plays another role as a life-giving substance; aquatic ecosystems sustain a rich array of living creatures, and water's value as a life vessel is two-fold.

As we have come to discover all over the world, water shortages make conservation and preservation of freshwater resources crucial, at least until a more viable method of desalination is produced.

Islamic law also designates protocol and guidelines for water use in a way to minimize dispute over what is considered to be an inalienable right.

what is the arabic word for living thing? can you please proove it.

دَابَّةٍ Daabba
Yusuf Ali translated "kulla daabbatim" as every animal. (24:45)

Just cuz something needs water to survive doesnt mean its made of water lol. Whered that one come from. Looking at a human, its hard to tell that 70 percent of it is composed of water.

Does it say "every animal"? Arabic speakers.

Yup, every animal, although there's a more specific meaning for the word "dabba", but I'm not exactly sure how to translate it. In general it's every animal. That's a different aya than the one I meant though, here it is:

24:45 [And Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills for verily Allah has power over all things.]

Ya it says every animal because theres "kullu" before it which means every.

Dont you find it amazing, that this verse:

Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?... Will they not then believe?

[Quran 21:30]

Makes a point, about the big bang, which will be proven centuries later and will be witnessed by the unibelievers, who are today called athiests, agnostics, scientists, and asks you a question, wiil you not believe?

If i speak to any atheists today, they all confirm the big bang, this verse is directly talking to the unbelievers of today!

Alahamdullilah!

Actually I was more interested in the animal bit.
What does the verse crayon posted say, animals or living beings?
the verse is actually 21:30, not 49:10.

the verse does not make a point about the big bang.