Science - Pain receptors in the skin

The skin does contain a high concentration of pain receptors, known as nociceptors, but their sensitivity varies depending on the specific area of the body. Regions like the fingertips, lips, and face are especially sensitive—not just to touch, but also to pain—because they have a dense network of receptors packed closely together. This allows for more precise detection of stimuli, including painful ones. As a matter of fact, someone who has sever burns on his hands and have lost his skin completely would not be able to feel the pain on his hands.

Interestingly, nociceptors aren’t exclusive to the skin—they’re also found in muscles, joints, bones, and internal organs. However, the pain from internal organs is often less localized and can feel more diffuse or referred (like how a heart attack might cause pain in the arm or jaw).

So while the skin—especially in certain areas—is among the most pain-sensitive parts of the body, it’s the density and distribution of receptors that really determine how sharply pain is perceived.

Qur'an - Pain receptors in the skin

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَـٰهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا

Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise. 4:56

This verse is striking not only in its spiritual gravity but also in its physiological precision. It highlights the skin as the primary site of pain perception, which aligns with modern scientific understanding: pain receptors (nociceptors) are densely concentrated in the skin, and once the skin is destroyed, the sensation of pain ceases—unless it is regenerated.

The verse’s emphasis on replacing the skin so that the punishment may be felt again underscores both the justice and the inescapability of divine retribution for those who persist in denial after clear signs. It’s a powerful reminder of accountability, conveyed through both spiritual and corporeal imagery.