groups among the early generations; this is the position on which Ishāq reported a consensus.

There is disagreement over the interpretation of the verse, which this is not the place to discuss. Likewise, there are two well-known views on whether souls exist before bodies.

The point here, however, is that if this is true, it confirms that they were born with that recognition and acknowledgment. This does not contradict what the hadiths indicate—that one is born upon the faith and that Allah created His creatures as pure monotheists—but rather supports it.

As for the claim that some made that acknowledgment willingly and others reluctantly, I know of no one among the early generations from whom this has been transmitted except al-Suddī in his Quran commentary.

Al-Suddī said concerning Allah’s words:

“And when your Lord took from the children of Adam—from their loins—their descendants and made them testify concerning themselves.”

They said: “When Allah expelled Adam from Paradise, before sending him down from heaven, He stroked the right side of his back and brought forth from him offspring, white like pearls and resembling tiny ants. He said to them, ‘Enter Paradise by My mercy.’ He then stroked the left side of his back and brought forth from him black offspring resembling tiny ants. He said, ‘Enter the Fire; I care not.’