Does the hadith "When forty-two nights have passed over the embryo, Allah sends an angel to it to shape it and create its hearing, sight, flesh, skin, and bones" contradict the Islamic creed regarding Allah's sole uniqueness in creation and shaping, and does it indicate its insertion into Sahih Muslim, or that Imam Muslim believed in it?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
There is no problem with the , for the angel does not create anything independently. His action concerning the drop of fluid is by Allah's command. This is indicated by the Prophet's (peace be upon him) statement: "Allah sends an angel to it," so he is sent and commanded. Al-Qurtubi clarified that attributing creation and formation to the angel is metaphorical, as true creation is exclusively Allah's.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/176474
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 176474
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy