Fetal Development as per the Quran and Hadith

08Oct

In surah Al-Hajj, verse 5, Allah (s.w.t) states in translation :-

“O mankind! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then verily, We have created you (Adam) from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and femal discharge), then from clot, then from a little lump of flesh, some formed and some unformed (as in case of miscarriage) – that We may make (it) clear to you (i.e. to show you Our Power and Ability to do what We will). And We cause whom We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term, then We bring you out as infants, then (give you growth) that you may reach the age of full strength. And among you there is those who dies (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known.”

In Bukhari, Vol 4, Hadith # 549, the hadith relates to the phenomenon of the Angel placing the soul in the fetus as per Allah (s.w.t) permission as follows:

Narrated by Abdullah (r.a), Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him ) said:-

“(As regards to your creation), every one of you is collected in the womb of his mother for the first 40 days, and then he becomes a clot for another 40 days, and then a piece of flesh for another 40 days. Then Allah (s.w.t) sends an angel to write 4 words: He writes his deeds, time of his death, means of his livelihood, and whether he will be wretched or blessed (in the Hereafter). Then the soul is breathed into his body. So a man may do deeds characteristic of the people of the (Hell) Fire, so much so that there is only the distance of a cubit between him and it, and then what has been written (by the angel) surpasses; and so he starts doing deeds characteristic of the people of Paradise and enters Paradise. Similarly, a person may do deeds characteristic of the people of Paradise, so much so that there is only the distance of a cubit between him and it, and then what has been written (by the angel) surpasses, and he starts doing deeds of the people of the (Hell) fire and enters the (Hell) Fire.”

Hence, it is really important to make lots of duas to Allah (s.w.t) for good child before the 4th month of pregnancy (40 days + 40 days + 40 days). Below are some duas sourced from the Quran relating to this matter:

DUAS FOR RIGHTEOUS CHILDREN

Rabbi hab lee mina alssaliheena

“O my Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous” (Qur’aan: 37:100)

RabbanawaijAAalna (Muslimaynilakawagminthurriyyatinaommatan (MuslimatanlakawaarinamanasikanawatubAAalaynainnaka anta alttawwabualrraheemu

“Our Lord! Make of us (Muslims, bowing to Your (Will), and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and Umrah) and accept our repentance. Truly You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful”. (Qur’aan: 2:128)

Rabbi la tatharneefardanwaantakhayrualwaritheena

“O My Lord! Leave me not childless, though You are the Best of the inheritors.” (Qur’aan: 21:89)

Rabbi hab lee min ladunkathurriyyatantayyibataninnakasameeAAualdduAAai
“O my Lord! Grant unto me a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of dua!” (Qur’aan: 3:38)

Prophet Zakariya (pbuh) made this dua. Maryam was entrusted with Zakariya as a guardian. When Maryam grew up in purity and devoutness, Zakariya longed for such a child for himself, a child who would be pure, virtuous and honourable as Maryam.

Rabbi ijAAalneemuqeemaalssalatiwaminthurriyyateerabbanawtaqabbalduAAai
“O my Lord! Make me one who establishes Prayer (Iqamat-as-Salat) and also (raise such) among my offspring O our Lord! And accept our dua”. (Qur’aan: 14:40)

As a parent of Ismail and Ishaq, Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) supplicated to Allah (SWT) to make him steadfast in his Salaat. He also asked to make his offspring steadfast in their Salaat.

P.S (Comment added on 17/5/2010): Brothers and sisters I am humbled if this article is helpful to you. I only made this compilation from Quran and Hadiths of the Prophet (pbuh), I am not a scholar nor a fertility doctor. Please have mercy upon me direct any issues you may have about fertility problems and other specific duas to doctors and scholars respectively.