Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Everyone is born a Muslim, but his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian; just as a beast is born whole. Do you find some among them [born] maimed?” Then he was saying, “God’s pattern on which He formed mankind. There is no alteration of God’s creation. That is the true religion.” 1 (Bukhari and Muslim.)1 Quran, xxx, 30. It is not quite clear whether these words were recited by the Prophet or by Abu Huraira.
The Primordial Nature (Fitrah)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) illuminates the Islamic doctrine of fitrah - the innate disposition toward monotheism with which every human is created. Just as animals are born in their natural, complete state, so too are human souls imprinted with recognition of their Creator.
Parental Influence and Religious Formation
The hadith clarifies that deviation from Islam occurs through external influences, primarily parental upbringing. This establishes the grave responsibility parents bear in religious education while affirming Islam as the original, uncorrupted state of humanity.
Divine Pattern and Unchanging Creation
The reference to Quran 30:30 emphasizes that Allah's creation of human nature follows a perfect, unchanging pattern. The "true religion" (Islam) aligns with this primordial nature, unlike innovations that distort it.
Scholarly Commentary on the Narration
Scholars explain that "maimed" refers to spiritual, not physical, defects. The rhetorical question underscores that spiritual corruption comes later, not at birth. This hadith forms the basis for understanding Islamic theology of human nature and divine guidance.