The mother of every person gives him birth according to his true nature. It is subsequently his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Magian. Had his parents been Muslim he would have also remained a Muslim. Every person to whom his mother gives birth (has two aspects of his life) ; when his mother gives birth Satan strikes him but it was not the case with Mary and her son (Jesus Christ).
The Book of Destiny - Sahih Muslim 2659a
This narration from Sahih Muslim addresses the fundamental Islamic doctrine of fitrah (primordial human nature) and the profound impact of parental upbringing on religious identity.
Commentary on Primordial Nature
The hadith establishes that every child is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah) of Islam, pure and inclined toward tawhid (monotheism). This state represents humanity's original spiritual condition before external influences shape religious identity.
Scholars explain this fitrah as an innate recognition of Allah's lordship and the natural inclination toward virtue and truth. The child's initial state reflects the covenant mentioned in Surah Al-A'raf (7:172) where all souls acknowledged Allah as their Lord before earthly existence.
Parental Influence and Religious Formation
The transformation from this natural state occurs through parental guidance and environmental factors. Parents "make him a Jew or Christian or Magian" through teaching, cultural practices, and religious instruction during formative years.
Classical commentators emphasize this demonstrates the tremendous responsibility of parents in religious upbringing and highlights how external influences can divert one from their innate disposition toward Islam.
The Exception of Maryam and Isa
The unique protection granted to Maryam (Mary) and her son Isa (Jesus) from Satan's touch represents divine intervention. Scholars note this special status was granted due to their purified states and significant roles in divine plan.
This exception underscores Allah's absolute power to grant specific protections to chosen servants and demonstrates that general rules may have divinely ordained exceptions without contradicting overarching principles.
Theological Implications
This hadith supports the Islamic position that no child is born with inherited sin or predetermined damnation. Each soul begins pure, with destiny shaped by choices, upbringing, and divine decree.
The narration also affirms human responsibility while acknowledging Allah's ultimate knowledge and decree, creating a balanced understanding between divine predestination and human accountability.