had protected him from being transformed as punishment for his lapse, whereas others were transformed.

Second: The intent is to refute the claim of the Dahriyyah, who maintain that a human being can come into existence only through semen and menstrual blood. Thus he (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Allah created Adam in his image from the outset, without any preceding stage of a drop of semen, a clinging clot, or a lump of flesh.”

Third: A human being comes into existence only over a long period of time and through the agency of the celestial spheres and the elements. Thus he (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Allah created