I don't quite understand how some Muslims can chalk it up to being a metaphor. I haven't studied the Qur'an in any real depth but to me, the creation account seems anything but metaphorical. Why would God omit such an important piece of information? Isn't it supposed to be a book of signs for men of all times, after all?
Christians get a lot more leeway on the topic as the majority aren't Biblical literalists and don't consider the Bible to be the verbatim word of God. It seems that the Qur'an on the other hand has really dug itself into a hole by claiming to be such a thing.
But that could also be a good thing, a good sign indicating that Muslims and Islam are beginning to take the same route as Christians and the Bible did years ago. I mean, today, most Christians will not read the Bible literally, and they have also decided to only follow the "good" parts and trying to reason away parts that they don't think fit into modern society. For example homosexuality, capital punishments (for moral over steps) etc... If Muslim accept that some parts of the Quran can be read metaphorically, even though there is over whelming evidence pointing to it NOT being metaphorical in any way, then maybe other parts also can be negotiated... in the future... or am I being to optimistic ?