Love For All, Hatred For None
Question:

Is the soul “breathed into a fetus” at the time of conception?

Author:

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad

By Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad
Updated on April 3, 2025

Is the soul “breathed into a fetus” at the time of conception?

Huzoor (rh): Again that is a misconception of the whole thing. The fact is that there is no certain moment in individual life where soul is breathed into any body. The soul is born with the fetus and it reaches a stage of independent existence when body reaches that stage and they are simultaneous in progress. So that one single moment where you can say the soul has come into being cannot be decided until that single moment for the body is decided.

That breathing is completely different. That is where the phenomena of revelation is mentioned.

فَاِذَا سَوَّیۡتُہٗ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِیۡہِ مِنۡ رُّوۡحِیۡ فَقَعُوۡا لَہٗ سٰجِدِیۡنَ

‘So when I have fashioned him in perfection and have breathed into him of My Spirit, fall ye down in submission to him.’

That is what you are referring to. It does not mean that each man when he is born then Allah or before he is born Allah breathes life into him and then: فَقَعُوۡا لَہٗ سٰجِدِیۡنَ

fall ye down in submission to him

If that is the meaning then for each man there is an order to everybody else to bow in submission. While this is not the case. That order is confined to Adam, the caliph of Allah on earth. He is resurgent on earth. So that means when he becomes caliph then bow to him. And how does he become caliph? Not because he is born and he’s all right. He only becomes caliph when Allah breathes into him, that is, speaks to him and reveals to him. A new life is breathed into him.

That is a life of prophethood and spirituality. So it is only that which is referred to there. Not that individually each boy is breathed soul from outside. There is no soul from outside.

Have Questions About Islam?
Get Answers Here!

We offer direct access to trained Islamic scholars and Imams who are available to guide you on your journey of understanding Islam.

Knowledge Base

Professionally cultivate one-to-one find customer service with robust ideas.

Live Chat

Have a question on your mind? Let’s talk! Live chat is just a click away!

Ask A Question

Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.

Type your query ...

Type anything you want to search about us…

Text Formatting Options: