"O People, if you are in any doubt regarding the resurrection, then (reflect), Verily, We (Allah) have created you from sand, then from a sperm drop, then from a clot of congealed blood, then from a lump of flesh formed (i.e. properly shaped) and (sometimes) deformed so that we display to you (Our power). We keep you in (your mothers') wombs for an appointed time as We please, then We extract you as an infant." (Qur'an 22:5)

The decision to create a fully and properly formed child or deformed one is the decree of Allah Ta'ala. Deformities in the unborn child are not the result of any accident. These are by Divine design as the aforementioned Qur'anic Ayat explicitly states. It is Allah Ta'ala who decides if a child is to be born with a deformity.

The stages: according to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), forty days after after fertilisation the Nutah (sperm drop) develops into Alaqah (clot of congealed blood). Within the next 40 days, the Alaqah develops into the Mudhghah (lump of flesh). At the end of the third 40 day period (i.e. 120 days after fertilisation), an angel is sent to breathe rooh (life/soul) into the foetus. At this stage, the angel calls to Allah, "Oh my Rabb! Mukhallaqah or ghayr mukhallaqah?"

'Mukhallaqah' means a properly and fully formed child. 'Ghayr Mukhallaqah' means a deformed child. Thus, the development of the foetus into a properly formed or malformed (deformed) child is decreed by Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala in His infinite wisdom decides whether the foetus will develop into a properly formed or malformed (deformed) person. Since this is the Divine Decree, it does not behove the Mu'min to register displeasure and discontent when Allah Ta'ala bestows a deformed child to him/her. Parents should understand that the foetus is a gift from Allah Ta'ala. It is destined to develop into a human being. The bestowal of a child to a parent is a wonderful Ni'mat, irrespective of the child being born deformed. Regardless of the condition of the gift, it should always be remembered that the gift is the bestowal of Allah, Rabbul Izzat, the creator Who had chosen the deformed form for the child.

There are many benefits and Great Wisdom in the creation of deformed children. Allah Ta'ala Alone is Aware thereof. But on the day of Qiyaamat, the parents who had accepted the Divine Choice will be overjoyed when they behold the immense rewards which Allah will bestow to them for their contentment and service of love and sacrifice which they had offered the child on earth. Thus, whether the child is born sick or deformed, parents should wholeheartedly accept it and not bemoan their fate. Muted silence (i.e. a forced Sabr) is not the attitude which the Muslim parents should display when they have been awarded a deformed child. While it is not said that one should ask Allah for deformed children, it is imperative that displeasure and complaint should never be the attitude when a deformed child is born. Allah Ta'ala knows why He had bestowed a malformed child to the parents. When a deformed child is born, the parents should accept it with love. The Thawaab for this attitude of love is tremendous. We are sure that the reward for the service of love which the parents will offer their deformed child, will be the ranks of martyrdom. Parents who care lovingly for well-formed daughters will be very close to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) in Jannah. The proximity will be greater in the case of having cared lovingly for deformed children. The deformed child shoud not be viewed with disgust and displeasure. Allah's Ni'mat should be accepted wholeheartedly with gratitude. He knows what is best for His creation.