49 Preface لِلَّهِ مُلكُ السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضِ ۚ يَخلُقُ ما يَشاءُ ۚ يَهَبُ لِمَن يَشاءُ إِناثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَن يَشاءُ الذُّكورَYusuf AliTo God belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills1 (and plans). He bestows (children) male or female according to His Will (and Plan),Verses 49-50 deal, in their ordinary meaning, with God’s creative power replete with knowledge and continued purpose, contrasted with man’s instincts and gropings after knowledge. The mystery of sex and parenthood is referred to in a new light With reference to children, a parent is often spoken of as the “author” of their being. The growth of population and the proportion of males and females in it have various sociological and psychological implications; yet how little do parents really know about them? The knowledge of science as regards the determination of sex in the embryo is practically nothing. Even if advancing knowledge threw light on what may be called the mechanical aspects of the question, the profounder problems touched by it are beyond the reach of man. Yet they are not governed by chance. God has a meaning and purpose in all things, and His power is complete to carry out His purpose.