in the Muslims’ cemetery; rather, it is removed and buried without washing or shrouding, for even though it is a child, when the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about the children of the polytheists he said, “They are of them.”

To sum up: once the fetus has completed four lunar months, it must be washed, shrouded, the funeral prayer performed for it, and then buried in the Muslims’ graveyard. It should be given a name, and—according to the stronger opinion—an ʿaqīqa sacrifice is offered on its behalf so that it may intercede for its parents on the Day of Resurrection, for it will indeed be raised on that Day.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The angel is commanded with four words: to record his provision, his lifespan, his deeds, and whether he is wretched or blessed.”

• He records his provision: whether it will be meagre or abundant, when it will come to him, and whether it will diminish or remain undiminished. In short, it is written in full.

• He records his lifespan as well: on which day, in which place, at what hour and moment, whether death will strike from near or far, and through which of the various causes it will occur. All of this is written completely.

• He records his deeds: whether they will be righteous or evil, beneficial to others or confined to the person himself. Every single action is inscribed.

• And he records his ultimate outcome—and what will make you comprehend what that outcome is?—namely, whether he will be wretched or blessed: “As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, where they will sigh and groan. They will remain therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Indeed, your Lord does whatever He wills. But as for those who are blessed…” (Hud 11:106–108).