46/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2645c — Destiny and Human Form
How The Human Being Is Created, In His Mother's Womb, And His Provision, Lifespan And Deeds Are Written Down, And His Misery and Happiness
Hadith About Human Form and Written Destiny
Sahih Muslim : 2645c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2645c
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي خَلَفٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَطَاءٍ، أَنَّ عِكْرِمَةَ بْنَ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا الطُّفَيْلِ حَدَّثَهُ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي سَرِيحَةَ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ أَسِيدٍ الْغِفَارِيِّ فَقَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِأُذُنَىَّ هَاتَيْنِ يَقُولُ " إِنَّ النُّطْفَةَ تَقَعُ فِي الرَّحِمِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ يَتَصَوَّرُ عَلَيْهَا الْمَلَكُ " . قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَسِبْتُهُ قَالَ الَّذِي يَخْلُقُهَا " فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ أَذَكَرٌ أَوْ أُنْثَى فَيَجْعَلُهُ اللَّهُ ذَكَرًا أَوْ أُنْثَى ثُمَّ يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ أَسَوِيٌّ أَوْ غَيْرُ سَوِيٍّ فَيَجْعَلُهُ اللَّهُ سَوِيًّا أَوْ غَيْرَ سَوِيٍّ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ مَا رِزْقُهُ مَا أَجَلُهُ مَا خُلُقُهُ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُ اللَّهُ شَقِيًّا أَوْ سَعِيدًا " .
Abu Tufail Narrated from:
I visited Abu Sariha Hudhaifa b. Usaid al-Ghifari who said: I listened with these two ears of mine Allahs Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The semen stays in the womb for forty nights, then the angel, gives it a shape. Zubair said: I think that he said: One who fashions that and decides whether he would be male or female. Then he (the angel) says: Would his limbs be full or imperfect? And then the Lord makes them full and perfect or otherwise as He desires. Then he says: My Lord, what about his livelihood, and his death and what about his disposition? And then the Lord decides about his misfortune and fortune.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2645cIn-book reference : Book 46, Hadith 6USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 33, Hadith 6395
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2645c
This hadith about the womb reports that the semen stays in the womb for forty nights, then the angel gives it shape by Allah’s command. The narration mentions the angel asking whether the child will be male or female. It also mentions whether the limbs will be full or imperfect, and then the matters of livelihood, death, and disposition. The final outcome of fortune or misfortune is also placed under Allah’s decision. The hadith teaches that human form and life details are not outside Allah’s control. It also helps the believer remember that every stage of life, even before birth, is known to Allah and written by His will.
What we learn from this hadith
- Allah decides human form and gender by His will.
- The hadith mentions full or imperfect limbs as part of Allah’s decision.
- Livelihood, death, and disposition are included in what is decreed.
- The womb stage is under Allah’s knowledge and command.
