1236—Abd al-Rahman ibn Ubayd Allah informed us; Ahmad ibn Sulayman informed us; Ubayd ibn Sharik reported to us; Ibn Abi Maryam reported to us; Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Khurasani reported to us; al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Dawud reported to us; Ibn Abi Maryam reported to us; Ibn Lahi‘ah informed me, from Ka‘b ibn Alqamah, from Isa ibn Hilal, from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As, who said:

“When the drop of fluid has remained in a woman’s womb for forty nights, an angel comes to it and takes it up. He then ascends with it to the Most Merciful, exalted is He, and says, ‘Create it, O Best of creators.’ Allah then decrees concerning it whatever He wills of His command. It is then handed back to the angel, who asks concerning it, and says, ‘My Lord, will it be miscarried or carried to term?’ He makes this clear to him. He says, ‘Will its lifespan be shortened or complete?’ He makes this clear to him. He says, ‘My Lord, will it be one child or twins?’ He makes this clear to him. He says, ‘My Lord, male or female?’ He makes this clear to him. Then he says, ‘Will it be wretched or blessed?’ He makes this clear to him ⦗748⦘. Then he says, ‘My Lord, shall I apportion its provision?’ So He apportions its provision for it along with its creation, and the angel descends with them all. By Him in whose Hand is my soul, it will attain of this world only what has been allotted to it; and once it has consumed its provision, it is taken.”