Likewise, al-Fadl ibn Ziyād, Hanbal, and Abū al-Hārith reported that they heard Abū ‘Abd Allāh say concerning this question:

“The natural disposition upon which Allah created His servants, whether wretched or happy.”

Likewise, it was reported that ‘Alī ibn Sa‘īd asked Abū ‘Abd Allāh about the statement, “Every child is born upon the natural disposition.”

He replied, “Upon wretchedness or happiness; to that he returns, in accordance with how he was created.”

Al-Hasan ibn Thawāb reported: I asked Abū ‘Abd Allāh about the children of the polytheists. I said, “Abū Bakr ibn Abī Shaybah said: ‘The child remains upon the natural disposition until his parents make him a Jew or a Christian.’”

He approved of none of this statement and said:

“Every child of the polytheists is upon the natural disposition: he is born upon the natural disposition upon which they were created, of wretchedness or happiness already recorded in the Mother of the Book. Refer this back to its origin. This is the meaning of ‘Every child is born upon the natural disposition.’”