No babe is born but upon Fitra. It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist. A person said: Allah's Messenger, what is your opinion if they were to die before that (before reaching the age of adolescence when they can distinguish between right and wrong)? He said: It is Allah alone Who knows what they would be doing.
The Book of Destiny - Sahih Muslim 2658e
This profound hadith from Sahih Muslim reveals the Islamic understanding of human nature and divine destiny. The term "Fitra" refers to the primordial, innate disposition toward recognizing Allah's Oneness and submitting to Him. Every child is born with this natural inclination toward truth and monotheism.
The Nature of Fitra
Fitra represents the uncontaminated state of the human soul before external influences. It is the natural constitution with which Allah created humanity, inclined toward recognizing its Creator. This state remains pure until corrupted by parental upbringing, societal influences, or personal choices.
Scholars explain that Fitra encompasses both the innate recognition of Allah and the natural moral compass that distinguishes between fundamental good and evil. This explains why children naturally exhibit qualities like honesty, compassion, and fairness before being taught these virtues.
Parental Influence and Responsibility
The hadith emphasizes the tremendous responsibility of parents in shaping their children's religious orientation. While children are born pure, their environment and upbringing determine whether they maintain their Fitra or deviate from it.
This teaching underscores the importance of Islamic education from childhood and creating an environment that nurtures the natural disposition toward Tawhid (monotheism). Parents are trustees over their children's spiritual development.
Divine Knowledge and Predestination
The Prophet's response regarding children who die young demonstrates the balance between human responsibility and divine knowledge. While parents influence their children's path, ultimate knowledge of what individuals would have chosen rests with Allah alone.
This reflects the Islamic concept of Qadr (divine decree) where Allah's knowledge encompasses all possibilities and outcomes. Children who die before maturity are under Allah's mercy, as they haven't reached the age of accountability.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explain that this hadith establishes the inherent goodness of human nature. The corruption comes from external factors, not from an inherently sinful nature.
Ibn Taymiyyah elaborates that Fitra includes both the innate recognition of Allah and the natural inclination toward moral virtues. The role of revelation is to perfect and guide this natural disposition, not to contradict it.
This teaching has profound implications for Islamic education, interfaith dialogue, and understanding human nature's fundamental orientation toward goodness and truth.