KITAB ARBA'IN AN-NAWAWI
by: Imam An-Nawawi
Creation of Human Beings and Divine Decree
عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمٰنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَهُوَ الصَّادِقُ الْمَصْدُوقُ: «إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ يُجْمَعُ خَلْقُهُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا نُطْفَةً، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ عَلَقَةً مِثْلَ ذٰلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُضْغَةً مِثْلَ ذٰلِكَ، ثُمَّ يُرْسَلُ إِلَيْهِ الْمَلَكُ فَيَنْفُخُ فِيهِ الرُّوحَ، وَيُؤْمَرُ بِأَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ: بِكِتْبِ رِزْقِهِ، وَأَجَلِهِ، وَعَمَلِهِ، وَشَقِيٌّ أَوْ سَعِيدٌ، فَوَاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلٰهَ غَيْرُهُ إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهَا إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ، فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيَدْخُلُهَا، وَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهَا إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ، فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَدْخُلُهَا»۔
[رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ وَمُسْلِمٌ]Translation:
‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ told us—and he is the truthful one and the one whose truthfulness has been affirmed: “Indeed, the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days as a drop of fluid (Nutfah). Then, for an equal period, he becomes a clinging clot (‘Alaqah). Then, for an equal period, he becomes a lump of flesh (Mudghah). Then an angel is sent to him, who breathes the soul into him, and he is commanded to write four things: his provision, his lifespan, his deeds, and whether he will be among the blessed or the wretched. By the One besides Whom there is no deity worthy of worship! One of you may continue performing the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is only an arm’s length between him and it, then what has been decreed overtakes him, and he begins to perform the deeds of the people of Hell and enters it. And one of you may continue performing the deeds of the people of Hell until there is only an arm’s length between him and it, then what has been decreed overtakes him, and he begins to perform the deeds of the people of Paradise and enters it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
Benefits of the Hadith:
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1
The Greatness of Prophethood and Matters of Faith:
The Prophet ﷺ is “Al-Sadiq Al-Masduq”—the truthful one whose truthfulness has been affirmed . The Companions held immense respect for him ﷺ and possessed complete and unwavering faith in the unseen matters he informed them about, such as the breathing of the soul into the fetus and the recording of its affairs by the angel . -
2
Human Creation and Reflection — A Remedy for Arrogance:
Human creation passes through the stages of Nutfah (a drop of fluid), ‘Alaqah (a clinging clot), and Mudghah (a lump of flesh), each lasting forty days, making a total of 120 days . Reflecting upon this humble beginning is an effective remedy for arrogance, a manifestation of Allah’s perfect power, and a means of becoming grateful for His countless blessings . The One who created a human being for the first time can certainly bring him back to life . -
3
Belief in Divine Decree and the Duty of the Angels:
Allah’s knowledge is limitless . By Allah’s command, an angel records the person’s provision, lifespan, deeds, and ultimate destiny—whether he will be among the blessed or the wretched—while he is still in his mother’s womb . This demonstrates the complete obedience of the angels and affirms the truth of Divine Decree (Qadar) . -
4
Islamic Rulings Regarding Abortion:
After 120 days, the soul is breathed into the fetus; therefore, terminating the pregnancy after this stage is categorically prohibited, as it constitutes the unlawful taking of life . If a fetus is stillborn or miscarried after 120 days, it should be given a proper ritual bath (Ghusl), shrouded, and the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) should be offered for it . Abortion before 120 days is also not permissible except in cases of serious Shar‘i or medical necessity, such as when the mother’s life is at risk . -
5
Peace and Contentment in Worldly Life:
Since a person’s provision and time of death have already been decreed and cannot be altered, a person should remain content regarding his provision, avoid unlawful means of earning, and live courageously without being overwhelmed by the fear of death . At the same time, one should give full attention to the religious and moral upbringing of one’s children . -
6
Concern for a Good Ending (Husn al-Khatimah):
The ultimate outcome of a person’s life is of great importance . Therefore, every person should fear a bad ending, regularly hold himself accountable for his deeds, and, like the righteous predecessors, constantly ask Allah Almighty for Husn al-Khatimah—to die with faith .