Every new-born babe is born on the millat (of Islam and he) remains on this until his tongue is enabled to express himself. This hadith has been narratted on the authority of Abu Mu'awiya through another chain of transmitters (and the words are):" Every child is born but on this Fitra so long as he does not express himself with his tongue."
The Book of Destiny - Sahih Muslim 2658 f
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim addresses the primordial nature (fitra) with which every human being is created. The term "millat" refers to the natural disposition toward submission to the One God, which is the essence of Islam.
Commentary on the Natural Disposition
The phrase "born on the millat" indicates that every child enters this world in a state of innate purity and recognition of divine unity. This fitra represents the uncontaminated spiritual state before external influences corrupt it. The scholars explain this as the natural inclination toward tawhid (monotheism) that Allah instilled in human nature.
The condition "until his tongue is enabled to express himself" signifies the age of moral accountability. Before this developmental stage, the child remains in this pristine state regardless of their parents' religion. This demonstrates Allah's mercy and justice - no soul bears responsibility until they possess the capacity for conscious choice and expression.
Scholarly Interpretation
Imam Nawawi, in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, emphasizes that this hadith establishes the inherent goodness of human nature. The fitra is like a blank slate inclined toward truth until worldly influences shape it otherwise. This explains why children of non-Muslim parents are not considered accountable until maturity.
Ibn al-Qayyim elaborates that this innate disposition manifests as the natural tendency to recognize Allah's lordship and worship Him alone. The corruption occurs through environmental factors and parental influence that lead the child away from this natural state.
Practical Implications
This teaching underscores the importance of proper upbringing and education in maintaining the fitra. Parents bear the responsibility of nurturing this innate disposition through Islamic teachings and practice. The hadith also provides comfort regarding children who pass away before reaching the age of accountability, as they remain in their primordial state of innocence.