implies that withdrawal before ejaculation, which is a means of preventing conception, is of no avail in preventing the birth of children whom Allah has decreed.

In the two Sahīhs, this is reported from Ibn ‘Abbās, and in Muslim from ‘Imrān ibn Husayn, whose wording is as follows: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Seventy thousand of my community will enter Paradise without being called to account.”

“Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” he was asked.

He replied, “They are those who do not undergo cauterization, do not ask others to perform ruqyah (healing recitations) for them, do not take omens, and put their trust in their Lord.”

‘Ukkāshah said, “Pray to Allah to make me one of them.” He replied, “You are one of them.” Then a man stood up and said, “O Prophet of Allah, pray to Allah to make me one of them.” He replied, “‘Ukkāshah has beaten you to it.”

Here, he made reliance upon Allah entail forgoing cauterization and seeking ruqyah, both of which are means.

In Sahīh Muslim, ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd reported that Umm Habībah, the Prophet’s wife, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“O Allah, let me continue to enjoy the company of my husband, the Messenger of Allah, my father Abū Sufyān, and my brother Mu‘āwiyah.”

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “You have asked Allah concerning fixed lifespans, numbered days, and allotted provisions. Allah will not bring forward