The above-mentioned points were extracted from both Hadith of Anas and Ibn Mas`ud. However, the coming points were inferred by the Hadith of Hudhayfah only and were compiled as follows:

4- Implantation of the sperm in the womb:

When sperm fecundates the egg it produces fertilized egg that is called by the embryologists (Zygote) and ‘Nutfah Al Amshaj’  in the Qur’anic term. This fertilized egg appears in the form of a drop of water that coincides with one of the meanings of the word ‘Nutfah’ (sperm).

This egg continues its growth and progress in the channel of the uterus moving forward to the inner part of the uterus while it preserves its shape and nature of ‘Nutfah’ (sperm) until it is divided internally into the cells from smaller to smallest which is called: (Bacterial particles or Blastomeres). After four days from insemination it develops into spherical mass of cells, known to the embryologists as (Morula) and five days later ‘Nutfah’ (fecundated egg) is called (Blastocyst).

Despite the sperm splits internally into cells but its nature and appearance don’t differ from the shape of sperm; because it has a thick membrane that helps to save and preserve the appearance of sperm (1).

This (sperm gametes) or ‘Nutfah Al Amshaj’ moves continuously until it reaches the womb and when it has crossed its range and reached there it clings to the wall of womb and its cells stick to it firmly. Usually it clings to the back wall of the uterus especially in the upper half of the uterus which is regarded as more fertile areas of the uterus for the growth and development of the fetus. The uterus becomes ready for it by increasing the thickness of its layer and advancing the quantity of blood in it (2).

Afterwards, it implants in the uterine wall and buries it self in it (3). And this is the beginning of the settlement or dwelling mentioned by the Hadith: “The angel enters to the sperm after it settles in the uterus for forty or forty-five days.... (4).

5- Difference between embryos in growth:

When we think about different versions of Hudhayfah’s Hadith, we find that they mention different times for the entrance of the angel who shapes the fetus: Forty days and forty-two days, and forty-five days, and forty and few days.

The differences between the versions of this Hadith are completely coinciding with the scientific fact that was unknown for human-being until it was discovered through studying several samples of fetuses. The result of this study has unveiled that fetuses vary in the degree of their growth (5) and this difference of growth in some cases rises to four or five days.

For example the varied twins or a male and a female in same pregnancy that develop from two different eggs which were fecundated at similar time, but usually one of the twins becomes bigger than the other. (6)

So the different versions of the Hadith of Hudhayfah merely denote the diversities in the embryos. And that is not a result of any doubt or fault in the transmission of Hadith. (7).

6 – Furthermore, the act of shaping, creating and determining the masculinity or femininity is carried out respectively since beginning of the seventh week. This fact was proven by the embryology now but that has been asserted and elucidated by the Hadith of Hudhayfah who reported: “When forty-two nights pass after the semen gets into the womb, Allah sends an angel who gives him the shape and creates his sense of hearing, his sense of sight, his skin, his flesh, his bones, and then says: O My Lord, would he be male or female?......”

In the fourth chain of Hudhayfah’s Hadith after mentioning the determination of masculinity and femininity the Hadith adds: “Then he (the angel) asks: Would his limbs be perfect or imperfect? And then Allah makes it perfect or imperfect.”  That outlines that before forty days the fetus remains totally indistinct from other animal embryos, but after fortieth the human embryo begins to develop into a human form as was mentioned in the Hadith saying: “Allah sends an angel who gives him the shape.”(8).

Furthermore, during the seventh week, the organs become perfect and distinct and then the formation of bone(9), skin, muscle, ear and eye begins. (10).

On the other hand, the masculinity and femininity remains veiled until the end of the sixth week but, if the fetus got stillbirth and a complete autopsy was conducted  the glands of gender -testicular in the male, and ovary in the female – appear similar during this early stage of growth and could not be distinguished, but at the beginning of the seventh week the testicle of male starts growing before the ovary of female and some special tissue begin to develop therein and slowly it is covered by a white surface (11) called: (white fascia) (12).

This is about the growth of genital glands, but the external genital organs don’t develop or branched out but from the protrusions of skin that does not develop but between the tenth and twelfth week. And the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) which was narrated by Muslim, says: “When forty two nights pass after the semen gets into the womb, Allah sends an angel who gives him the shape and creates his sense of hearing, his sense of sight, his skin, his flesh, his bones, and then says: My Lord, would he be male or female?” which means that the external genitalia does not  appear but only after the appearance of hearing, sight,  bones, flesh, and skin. Then the miracle is represented in the fact that the development of skin was mentioned before the appearance of the external genitalia (13) because skin appears before the formation of genitalia, rather the external genitalia are formed from the skin itself."(14).

Moreover, the subject of perfect fetus or imperfect fetus was explained by Dr./ Ahmad Kan`an and Muhammad Kamal Shawsharah, in their book (The First Creation) as they said: "The period, from the beginning of the fourth week of growing until the end of the seventh week is called: (The Embryonic Period) as the basic interior and external organs are formed during this period such as formation of brain, heart, and other parts.... All of that tend during the end of the embryonic period to promote the fetus to the distinctive human form. It is worth mentioning that this embryonic period is also called: (Sensitive Period); because, during this period exposure of the fetus to any distorting factor leaves a profound impact on its developments and organs and leads to the dangerous and fatal distortions. That is to say, by the end of the embryonic period the fate of the fetus is determined, whether it will grow properly or it may suffer deforms that will accompany until his death."

Then they referred to the fourth version of Hudhayfah’s Hadith and commented on this saying: “This is a significant Hadith which was recorded in Sahih and was memorized and repeated by the Muslims since fourteen centuries is another miracle of the Honest and Trustworthy, the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him); he talked about this matter as if he was an embryologist of the sixties of this century (15). He talked about (the critical period of pregnancy) and explained how the fate of the fetus is determined at the end of the embryonic period, in terms of both, proper development or deformity. He said: “Then he (the angel) asks: Would his limbs be full or imperfect? And then Allah makes it perfect or imperfect.” Indeed, this indicates that the informer is a true Messenger who receives revelation from Allah Who knows whatever happens to each embryo and when it happens. Allah Almighty says: “Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves), All-Aware (of everything).” [Al Mulk: 14] (16).

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(1) Embryology in the Light of Qur’an and Sunnah, p (44, 45).

(2) The Creation of Man between Medicine and Al Qur’an (205).

(3) Embryology in the Light of Qur’an and Sunnah, p (49).

(4) See: The First Creation (1/218, 219), and this was quoted by Dr / Mahmud Nazim, in his book Prophetic Medicine and Modern Science (3/338).

(5) A research entitled (Stages of the Creation of Man before and after the Forty Days) P, 4 –among researches of the First International Conference for Scientific Miracles in the Qur’an and Sunnah- Pakistan.

(6) The previous source.

 (7) See:The First Creation (1/219).

(8) The Arabic word ‘Al Ghelalah’ is the inner garment that is worn under the dress and the inner coat that is worn under the armor is also called ‘Al Ghelalah’. ‘Maqayis Al Lughah’ (4/377/and ‘Al Qamus Al Muhit’ under Arabic alphabet: Al Ghayn, Al Lam and Al Alam.

(9) The Creation of Man between Medicine and Al Qur’an (299).

(10) Note that the Hadith has mentioned masculinity or femininity after mentioning the previous developments of fetus by using the Arabic word ‘Thumma’ that denotes some gap without intervention of any thing.

(11) The Creation of Man between Medicine and Al Qur’an (302, 303).

(15) He intends the Christian Calendar.

(16) The First Creation (1/210, 211).         

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