The hadith mentioning an angel writing the sex of a baby after 40 nights does not contradict scientific understanding of genetics; rather, it addresses different aspects of human development and destiny.
Understanding the Hadith
The hadith in question states that an angel is sent to a developing embryo after 40 or 42 nights to record its provisions, lifespan, deeds, and whether it will be male or female. Here is the hadith from Sahih Muslim:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's womb for forty days, then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allah sends an angel to breathe the soul into him, and the angel is commanded to write four things: his provision, his lifespan, his deeds, and whether he will be wretched or blessed."
Sahih Muslim 2645
What the Hadith Actually Says
It is important to recognize that the hadith does not claim that the biological sex is determined at 40 or 42 nights. Instead, it speaks about the recording of the human soul's destiny, including its sex, in a metaphysical sense. This is different from the biological process, which indeed begins at conception with the fusion of the sperm and egg, determining the genetic sex.
The Role of Angels in Islamic Belief
In Islam, angels play a significant role in the unseen world, executing the commands of Allah. The hadith emphasizes the spiritual and divine aspects of human creation, which are beyond the physical and genetic processes that science explains. The angel's role is part of the belief in the divine decree and the unseen aspects of life, which coexist with the natural laws established by Allah.
In summary, the hadith about the angel's role after 40 nights is not about the biological determination of sex, but about the spiritual destiny and divine plan for each human being. Science and faith thus address different dimensions of existence, both contributing to a fuller understanding of life.