13. Ar-Ra'd

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

المر ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ ۗ وَالَّذِي أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

(1. Alif Lam-Mim Ra. These are the verses of the Book (the Qur'an), and that which has been revealed unto you from your Lord is the truth, but most men believe not.)

The Qur'an is Allah's Kalam (Speech)

We talked before, in the beginning of Surat Al-Baqarah (chapter 2) about the meaning of the letters that appear in the beginnings of some chapters in the Qur'an. We stated that every Surah that starts with separate letters, affirms that the Qur'an is miraculous and is an evidence that it is a revelation from Allah, and that there is no doubt or denying in this fact. This is why Allah said next,

تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ

(These are the verses of the Book), the Qur'an, which Allah described afterwards,

وَالَّذِي أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ

(and that which has been revealed unto you), O Muhammad,

مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ

(from your Lord is the truth,) Allah said next,

وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

(but most men believe not.) just as He said in another Ayah,

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

(And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.)[12:103] Allah declares that even after this clear, plain and unequivocal explanation (the Qur'an), most men will still not believe, due to their rebellion, stubbornness and hypocrisy.

Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you can see. Then, He rose above (Istawa) the 'Arsh [Throne]. He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running (its course) for a term appointed. He manages and regulates all affairs; He explains the Ayat in detail, that you may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord (2)

Clarifying Allah's Perfect Ability

Allah mentions His perfect ability and infinite authority, since it is He Who has raised the heavens without pillars by His permission and order. He, by His leave, order and power, has elevated the heavens high above the earth, distant and far away from reach. The heaven nearest to the present world encompasses the earth from all directions, and is also high above it from every direction. The distance between the first heaven and the earth is five hundred years from every direction, and its thickness is also five hundred years. The second heaven surrounds the first heaven from every direction, encompassing everything that the latter carries, with a thickness also of five hundred years and a distance between them of five hundred years. The same is also true about the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and the seventh heavens. Allah said,

اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَمِنَ الْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ

(It is Allah who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof.)[65:12] Allah said next,

بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا

(...without any pillars that you can see.) meaning, 'there are pillars, but you cannot see them,' according to Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, and several other scholars. Iyas bin Mu'awiyah said, "The heaven is like a dome over the earth," meaning, without pillars. Similar was reported from Qatadah, and this meaning is better for this part of the Ayah, especially since Allah said in another Ayah,

وَيُمْسِكُ السَّمَاءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ

(He withholds the heaven from falling on the earth except by His permission.)[22:65] Therefore, Allah's statement,

تَرَوْنَهَا

(...that you can see), affirms that there are no pillars. Rather, the heaven is elevated (above the earth) without pillars, as you see. This meaning best affirms Allah's ability and power.

Al-Istawa', Rising above the Throne

Allah said next,

ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ

(Then, He rose above (Istawa) the Throne.) We explained the meaning of the Istawa' in Surat Al-A'raf (7:54), and stated that it should be accepted as it is without altering, equating, annulling its meaning, or attempts to explain its true nature. Allah is glorified and praised from all that they attribute to Him.

Allah subjected the Sun and the Moon to rotate continuously

Allah said,

وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى

(He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running (its course) for a term appointed.) It was said that the sun and the moon continue their course until they cease doing so upon the commencement of the Final Hour, as Allah stated,

وَالشَّمْسُ تَجْرِي لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَّهَا

(And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed).)[36:38] It was also said that the meaning is: until they settle under the …

And it is He Who spread out the earth, and placed therein firm mountains and rivers and of every kind of fruit He made Zawjayn Ithnayn (two in pairs). He brings the night as a cover over the day. Verily, in these things, there are Ayat (signs) for people who reflect (3)And in the earth are neighboring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields), and date palms, growing into two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise, watered with the same water; yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily, in these things there are Ayat (signs) for the people who understand (4)

Allah's Signs on the Earth

After Allah mentioned the higher worlds, He started asserting His power, wisdom and control over the lower parts of the world. Allah said,

وَهُوَ الَّذِي مَدَّ الْأَرْضَ

(And it is He Who spread out the earth) made it spacious in length and width. Allah has placed on the earth firm mountains and made rivers, springs and water streams run through it, so that the various kinds of fruits and plants of every color, shape, taste and scent are watered with this water,

مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ

(and of every kind of fruit He made Zawjayn Ithnayn.), two types from every kind of fruit,

يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ

(He brings the night as a cover over the day.) Allah made the day and night pursue each other, when one is about to depart, the other overcomes it, and vice versa. Allah controls time just as He controls space and matter,

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

(Verily, in these things, there are Ayat for people who reflect.) who reflect on Allah's signs and the evidences of His wisdom. Allah said,

وَفِي الْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَاوِرَاتٌ

(And in the earth are neighboring tracts,) Meaning, next to each other, some of them are fertile and produce what benefits people, while others are dead, salty and do not produce anything. This meaning was collected from Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, Sa'id bin Jubayr, Ad-Dahhak and several others. This also covers the various colors and types of diverse areas on the earth; some red, some white, or yellow, or black, some are stony, or flat, or sandy, or thick, or thin, all made to neighbor each other while preserving their own qualities. All this indicates the existence of the Creator Who does what He wills, there is no deity or lord except Him. Allah said next,

وَجَنَّاتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ

(and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields), and date palms...) Allah's statement, next,

صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ

(Sinwanun wa (or) Ghayru Sinwan.) 'Sinwan' means, growing into two or three from a single stem, such as figs, pomegranate and dates. 'Ghayru Sinwan' means, having one stem for every tree, as is the case with most plants. From this meaning, the paternal uncle is called one's 'Sinw' of his father. There is an authentic Hadith that states that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to 'Umar bin Al-Khattab,

أَمَا شَعَرْتَ أَنَّ عَمَّ الرَّجُلِ صِنْوُ أَبِيهِ

(Do you not know that man's paternal uncle is the 'Sinw' of his father?) Allah said next,

يُسْقَىٰ بِمَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الْأُكُلِ

(watered with the same …

And it is He Who spread out the earth, and placed therein firm mountains and rivers and of every kind of fruit He made Zawjayn Ithnayn (two in pairs). He brings the night as a cover over the day. Verily, in these things, there are Ayat (signs) for people who reflect (3)And in the earth are neighboring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields), and date palms, growing into two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise, watered with the same water; yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily, in these things there are Ayat (signs) for the people who understand (4)

Allah's Signs on the Earth

After Allah mentioned the higher worlds, He started asserting His power, wisdom and control over the lower parts of the world. Allah said,

وَهُوَ الَّذِي مَدَّ الْأَرْضَ

(And it is He Who spread out the earth) made it spacious in length and width. Allah has placed on the earth firm mountains and made rivers, springs and water streams run through it, so that the various kinds of fruits and plants of every color, shape, taste and scent are watered with this water,

مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ

(and of every kind of fruit He made Zawjayn Ithnayn.), two types from every kind of fruit,

يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ

(He brings the night as a cover over the day.) Allah made the day and night pursue each other, when one is about to depart, the other overcomes it, and vice versa. Allah controls time just as He controls space and matter,

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

(Verily, in these things, there are Ayat for people who reflect.) who reflect on Allah's signs and the evidences of His wisdom. Allah said,

وَفِي الْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَاوِرَاتٌ

(And in the earth are neighboring tracts,) Meaning, next to each other, some of them are fertile and produce what benefits people, while others are dead, salty and do not produce anything. This meaning was collected from Ibn 'Abbas, Mujahid, Sa'id bin Jubayr, Ad-Dahhak and several others. This also covers the various colors and types of diverse areas on the earth; some red, some white, or yellow, or black, some are stony, or flat, or sandy, or thick, or thin, all made to neighbor each other while preserving their own qualities. All this indicates the existence of the Creator Who does what He wills, there is no deity or lord except Him. Allah said next,

وَجَنَّاتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ

(and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields), and date palms...) Allah's statement, next,

صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ

(Sinwanun wa (or) Ghayru Sinwan.) 'Sinwan' means, growing into two or three from a single stem, such as figs, pomegranate and dates. 'Ghayru Sinwan' means, having one stem for every tree, as is the case with most plants. From this meaning, the paternal uncle is called one's 'Sinw' of his father. There is an authentic Hadith that states that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to 'Umar bin Al-Khattab,

أَمَا شَعَرْتَ أَنَّ عَمَّ الرَّجُلِ صِنْوُ أَبِيهِ

(Do you not know that man's paternal uncle is the 'Sinw' of his father?) Allah said next,

يُسْقَىٰ بِمَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الْأُكُلِ

(watered with the same …

And if you wonder, then wondrous is their saying: "When we are dust, shall we indeed then be (raised) in a new creation?" They are those who disbelieved in their Lord! They are those who will have iron chains linking their hands to their necks. They will be dwellers of the Fire to abide therein forever (5)

Denying Resurrection after Death is Strange

Allah says to His Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him,

وَإِن تَعْجَبْ

(And if you wonder.) at the rejection of the polytheists who deny Resurrection, even though they witness Allah's signs and evidences that He made in His creation which testify that He is able to do everything. Yet, they admit that Allah originated the creation of all things and brought them into existence after they were nothing. However, they deny Allah's claim that He will resurrect the world anew, even though they admit to what is more amazing than what they deny and reject. Therefore, it is amazing that they said,

أَإِذَا كُنَّا تُرَابًا أَإِنَّا لَفِي خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ

(When we are dust, shall we indeed then be (raised) in a new creation?) It is an obvious fact to every sane and knowledgeable person that creating the heavens and earth is a greater feat than creating men, and that He Who has originated creation is more able to resurrect it anew,

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْيَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَادِرٍ عَلَىٰ أَن يُحْيِيَ الْمَوْتَىٰ ۚ بَلَىٰ إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

(Do they not see that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied by their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes, He surely is able to do all things)[46:33] Allah described those who deny Resurrection,

أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ الْأَغْلَالُ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ

(They are those who disbelieved in their Lord! They are those who will have iron chains linking their hands to their necks.) They will be dragged in the Fire by these chains,

وَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

(They will be dwellers of the Fire to abide therein forever.), for they will remain in Hell forever and will never escape it or be removed from it.

They ask you to hasten the evil before the good, while exemplary punishments have indeed occurred before them. But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind, in spite of their wrongdoing. And verily, your Lord is (also) severe in punishment (6)

The Disbelievers ask for the Punishment to be delivered now!

Allah said,

وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ

(They ask you to hasten), in reference to the disbelievers,

بِالسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ الْحَسَنَةِ

(the evil before the good,) meaning, the punishment. Allah said in other Ayat that they said,

وَقَالُوا يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِي نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ الذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌ - لَّوْ مَا تَأْتِينَا بِالْمَلَائِكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ - مَا نُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوا إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ

(And they say: "O you to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'an) has been sent down! Verily, you are a mad man! Why do you not bring angels to us if you are of the truthful?" We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment), and in that case, they (the disbelieves) would have no respite!)[15:6-8], and two Ayat;

وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ

(And they ask you to hasten on the torment!)[29:53-54] Allah also said,

سَأَلَ سَائِلٌ بِعَذَابٍ وَاقِعٍ

(A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall.)[70:1],

يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ

(Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth.)[42:18], and,

وَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا عَجِّل لَّنَا قِطَّنَا

(They say: "Our Lord! Hasten to us Qittana.)[38:16], meaning, our due torment and reckoning. Allah said that they also supplicated,

وَإِذْ قَالُوا اللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَٰذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ

(And (remember) when they said: "O Allah! If this (the Qur'an) is indeed the truth from You.)[8:32] They were such rebellious, stubborn disbelievers that they asked the Messenger to bring them Allah's torment. Allah replied,

وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ الْمَثُلَاتُ

(while exemplary punishments have indeed occurred before them.) Meaning, 'We have exerted Our punishment on the previous disbelieving nations, and made them a lesson and example for those who might take heed from their destruction.'

If it was not for His forbearance and forgiveness, Allah would have indeed punished them sooner. Allah said in another Ayah,

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَابَّةٍ

(And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving creature on the surface of the earth.)[35:45] Allah said in this honorable Ayah,

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ

(But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind in spite of their wrongdoing.) He is full of forgiveness, pardoning and covering the mistakes of people, in spite of their wrongdoing and the errors committed night and day. Allah next reminds that His punishment is severe, so that fear and hope are both addressed and mentioned. Allah said in other Ayat,

فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَاسِعَةٍ …

And the disbelievers say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" You are only a warner, and to every people there is a guide (7)

The Idolators ask for a Miracle

Allah states that out of their disbelief and stubbornness, the idolators asked why is not a miracle sent down to the Messenger ﷺ from his Lord, just like the earlier Messengers For instance, the disbelievers were being stubborn when they asked the Prophet ﷺ to turn As-Safa into gold, to remove the mountains from around them, and to replace them with green fields and rivers. Allah said,

وَمَا مَنَعَنَا أَن نُّرْسِلَ بِالْآيَاتِ إِلَّا أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا الْأَوَّلُونَ

(And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat but that the people of old denied them.)[17:59] Allah said here,

إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ

(You are only a warner), and your duty is only to convey Allah's Message which He has ordered you,

لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ

(Not upon you is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills.)[2:272] Allah said;

وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ

(And to every people there is a guide.) meaning that for every people there has been a caller, according to Ibn 'Abbas and as narrated from him by Ali bin Abi Talhah. Allah said in a similar Ayah,

وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خَلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ

(And there never was a nation but a warner had passed among them.)[35:24] Similar has reported from Qatadah and 'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd.

Allah knows what every female bears, and by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or exceed. Everything with Him is in (due) proportion (8)All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High (9)

Allah is All-Knower of Al-Ghayb (Unseen)

Allah affirms His perfect knowledge, from which nothing is hidden, and that He has complete knowledge of whatever every female creature is carrying,

وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْأَرْحَامِ

(And He knows that which is in the wombs.)[31:34], whether male or female, fair or ugly, miserable or happy, whether it will have a long or a short life. Allah said in other Ayat,

هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ

(He knows you well when He created you from the earth, and when you were fetuses.)[53:32], and,

يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّن بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ ثَلَاثٍ

(He creates you in the wombs of your mother: creation after creation in three veils of darkness.)[39:6] meaning stage after stage. Allah also said,

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن سُلَالَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ - ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ - ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

(And indeed We created man out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We made him as a Nutfah in a safe lodging. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot, then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.)[23:12-14]

In the two Sahihs it is recorded that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنَّ خَلْقَ أَحَدِكُمْ يُجْمَعُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ عَلَقَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُضْغَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُ اللهُ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكًا فَيُؤْمَرُ بِأَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ، بِكَتْبِ رِزْقِهِ، وَعُمْرِهِ، وَعَمَلِهِ، وَشَقِيٌّ أَوْ سَعِيدٌ

(The matter of the creation of one of you is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his provisions, his life span, his deeds, and whether he will be blessed or wretched.") In another Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said,

فَيَقُولُ الْمَلَكُ: أَيْ رَبِّ أَذَكَرٌ أَمْ أُنْثَى؟ أَيْ رَبِّ أَشَقِيٌّ أَمْ سَعِيدٌ؟ فَمَا الرِّزْقٌ؟ فَمَا الْأَجَلُ؟ فَيَقُولُ اللهُ: وَيَكْتُبُ الْمَلَكُ

(Then the angel asks, "O my Lord! Is it a male or a female, miserable or happy, what is its provisions and life span?" Allah then ordains and the angel records it.) Allah said next,

وَمَا تَغِيضُ الْأَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ

(and by how much the wombs fall short or exceed.) Al-Bukhari recorded that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

مَفَاتِيحُ الْغَيْبِ خَمْسٌ، لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ إِلَّا اللهُ: لَا يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي غَدٍ …

Allah knows what every female bears, and by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or exceed. Everything with Him is in (due) proportion (8)All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High (9)

Allah is All-Knower of Al-Ghayb (Unseen)

Allah affirms His perfect knowledge, from which nothing is hidden, and that He has complete knowledge of whatever every female creature is carrying,

وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْأَرْحَامِ

(And He knows that which is in the wombs.)[31:34], whether male or female, fair or ugly, miserable or happy, whether it will have a long or a short life. Allah said in other Ayat,

هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ

(He knows you well when He created you from the earth, and when you were fetuses.)[53:32], and,

يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّن بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ ثَلَاثٍ

(He creates you in the wombs of your mother: creation after creation in three veils of darkness.)[39:6] meaning stage after stage. Allah also said,

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن سُلَالَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ - ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ - ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ

(And indeed We created man out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We made him as a Nutfah in a safe lodging. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot, then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.)[23:12-14]

In the two Sahihs it is recorded that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنَّ خَلْقَ أَحَدِكُمْ يُجْمَعُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ عَلَقَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُضْغَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُ اللهُ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكًا فَيُؤْمَرُ بِأَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ، بِكَتْبِ رِزْقِهِ، وَعُمْرِهِ، وَعَمَلِهِ، وَشَقِيٌّ أَوْ سَعِيدٌ

(The matter of the creation of one of you is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his provisions, his life span, his deeds, and whether he will be blessed or wretched.") In another Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said,

فَيَقُولُ الْمَلَكُ: أَيْ رَبِّ أَذَكَرٌ أَمْ أُنْثَى؟ أَيْ رَبِّ أَشَقِيٌّ أَمْ سَعِيدٌ؟ فَمَا الرِّزْقٌ؟ فَمَا الْأَجَلُ؟ فَيَقُولُ اللهُ: وَيَكْتُبُ الْمَلَكُ

(Then the angel asks, "O my Lord! Is it a male or a female, miserable or happy, what is its provisions and life span?" Allah then ordains and the angel records it.) Allah said next,

وَمَا تَغِيضُ الْأَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ

(and by how much the wombs fall short or exceed.) Al-Bukhari recorded that 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

مَفَاتِيحُ الْغَيْبِ خَمْسٌ، لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ إِلَّا اللهُ: لَا يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي غَدٍ …