However...

However, this seems to be a contradiction in thought and does not appear to be probable. In the following sentence, "...he was considered a thing not worth mentioning?" , there are various ideas put forth on this issue and one of them is that when Man was but mingled sperm (and egg) , he was not worthy of mention, however, later when the entity possessed the higher stage of development it became a worthy being. [It has been narrated from Imam Baqir (p.b.u.h.) .

the fifth Imam, that Man's existence was known to Allah', even though he was not mentioned as being a worthy entity until Allah created him in the physical form.] (1) Other interpretations indicate that the term 'Man', in this verse, means 'learned people' who were not recognized at first, but subsequently became so, after having obtained their knowledge. They were, then, mentioned everywhere, among all people, while they were alive and even after their death.

Now, we come to the process of the second stage which is the creation of Man and his becoming worthy of mention. The verse says, "Surely We created Man from a drop of mingled semen, in order to try him:so We gave him hearing and sight." The term /amshaj/ is the plural form of /mashaj/ or /mashij/ which means 'mingled' or 'mixed'. The creating of Man from 'mingled semen' probably refers to the mixture of sperm and egg and their unification, or (1) Majma'-al-Bayan, vol. 10. p. 406.

it could refer to the various talents possessed by man through heritage; which exists in the genes, DNA, and Chromosomes that are in every sperm and egg. Or, perhaps it refers to a combination of all of the aforementioned cases. If so, the last idea is the most complete and suitable. It may be possible that the term 'mingled' refers to the process of development, upon unification of sperm and egg; which leads the mixture to develop into a foetus and then into Man.

With the term /nabtalih/"We try him...", we can understand that Man deserves the honor of duty, undertaking, responsibility, examination and trial, which is one of the greatest divine blessings Allah has gifted to Man. Since duty and examination are not possible unless there is awareness; hence, hearing and sight are given to Man. This fact is mentioned at the end of the verse; making it clear for us that the former cannot exist without the latter.

Some commentators have also suggested that the intention for the examination is the process of developing the sperm to foetus and, then, to a complete Man.