Al-Kāfi 6, narration 49

Translation

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il or others who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can a pregnant woman pray to Allah to make the child inside her a well formed boy?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘She can do so from conception up to the fourth month. Up to forty nights it is sperm, for another forty nights it is a clot and for another forty nights it is an embryo, thereafter Allah sends two creative angles who ask, “O Lord, what must we create, a male or female, fortunate or unfortunate?” Their question is then answered. They then ask, “O Lord, what is his sustenance, when is the time of his death and what is the length of his life?” It all then is told to them and his covenant is between his eyes to which he looks. He still is inside his mother until the time of his coming out draws near. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sends an angel who drives him out with reproach that sends him into shock and he forgets the covenant?”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.