عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم -وَهُوَ الصَّادِقُ الْمَصْدُوقُ-: “إنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ يُجْمَعُ خَلْقُهُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا نُطْفَةً، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ عَلَقَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُضْغَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يُرْسَلُ إلَيْهِ الْمَلَكُ فَيَنْفُخُ فِيهِ الرُّوحَ، وَيُؤْمَرُ بِأَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ: بِكَتْبِ رِزْقِهِ، وَأَجَلِهِ، وَعَمَلِهِ، وَشَقِيٍّ أَمْ سَعِيدٍ؛ فَوَاَللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إلَهَ غَيْرُهُ إنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهَا إلَّا ذِرَاعٌ فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيَدْخُلُهَا. وَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهَا إلَّا ذِرَاعٌ فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَدْخُلُهَا”.
[رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ] ، [وَمُسْلِمٌ] .
📖Translation
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Messenger of Allahﷺ, the truthful, the believed, told us: “Verily, the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days as a drop, then he is a clot for the same, then a lump for the same. Then the angel is sent to him, who breathes the soul into him and is commanded to write four things: his provision, his lifespan, his deeds, and whether he will be wretched or happy…” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
📝Explanation
This hadith describes human development in stages, the moment of the soul being given, and the recording of one’s provision, lifespan, deeds, and final destiny. It highlights the reality of Allah’s decree (qadar) while reminding us that our actions and consistency until the end of life matter most.
💡Talking Points
• Stages matter: Just as we grow in the womb in stages, building ourselves, our families, and our community also happens step by step. Patience and persistence are key.
• Work with trust: Provision, life, and outcomes are written, but our role is to act sincerely and responsibly. This gives us confidence to keep building and serving, without fear of failure.
• Endurance counts: What matters most is consistency until the end. As individuals and as a community, we must hold fast to our values and mission until our last breath.
• Hope and humility: The hadith reminds us not to be arrogant in success or hopeless in struggle. Both individuals and movements must stay humble, resilient, and trusting in Allah.
🌍Daily Life Application
• In our personal lives: stay consistent in worship, seek halal provision, and never despair of Allah’s mercy.
• In our families: nurture children stage by stage with care, as every stage has its importance.
• In our community: build with patience, discipline, and trust—knowing that results belong to Allah, while responsibility to act belongs to us.