whatever your Lord wills, and the angel records it. Then the angel departs with the record in his hand, neither adding to nor omitting anything he was commanded to record.’”

This hadith states that the drop of fluid is fashioned after forty-two nights, and that, after it has been fashioned and its hearing, sight, skin, flesh, and bones have been created, the angel says, “My Lord, male or female?” It is known that it does not become flesh and bone until it has become a lump of flesh.

This therefore agrees with that hadith in placing the angel’s recording after this stage—unless it is argued that what is meant is the predetermination of the flesh and bones. This hadith has also been transmitted in wordings that are not fully explicit, some clearer than others. Among these is what Muslim also narrated from Hudhayfa:

“I heard Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say:

‘The drop of fluid remains in the womb for forty nights. Then the angel who fashions it descends to it and says, “My Lord, male or female?” Allah makes him male or female. Then he says, “My Lord, well-formed or not?” Allah Most High makes him well-formed or otherwise. Then he says, “My Lord, what will his lifespan and physical form be?” Then Allah makes him wretched or blessed.’”

This makes clear that his provision, his lifespan, and whether he will be wretched or blessed are recorded after He has made him male or female and well-formed or otherwise.

Another wording recorded by Muslim states:

“The angel comes to the drop of fluid forty or forty-five nights after it has settled in the womb. He says, ‘My Lord, wretched or blessed?’ Then he records it. ‘My Lord, male or female?’ Then he records his provision, and records his deeds, the traces he leaves, and his lifespan;