Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The wretched person is the one who is wretched while still in his mother's womb, and the fortunate one is he who can take admonition from another. One of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came, whose name was Sayyiduna Hudhaifah bin Asid Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him). This statement was conveyed to him as the saying of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), so he said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say this: "When forty-two (42) days have passed over the drop of fluid (nutfah), Allah sends an angel to it, who shapes it, determines its hearing and sight, its skin, its flesh, and its bones. Then the angel asks: O Lord! Will it be a boy or a girl? So your Lord decrees whatever He wills, and the angel records it. Then he asks: O Lord! What will be its time of death? So your Lord decrees whatever He wills, and the angel records it. Then he asks: O Lord! How much will be its provision? So your Lord decrees whatever He wills, and the angel records it. Then the angel takes that scroll in his hand; now there can be no addition or subtraction in this matter."

(Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) The statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "He created its hearing"—these words are according to the common usage of people; it does not mean that the angel creates these things.