Prophet Adam (PBUH)
Purpose and History
Informing the Angels About Adam
Allah the Almighty revealed: And (remember) when your Lord
said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind)
generations after generations on earth." They said: 'Will You
place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed
blood, - while we glorify You with praises and thanks (Exalted
be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and
sanctify You." He (Allah) said: "I know that which you do not
know." Surah 2: 30
Teaching Adam
And He taught Adam all the names (of everything), then He
showed them to the angels and said: "Tell Me the names of
these if you are truthful." They (angels) said: "Glory be to You,
we have no knowledge except what You have taught us.
Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise."
He said: "0 Adam! Inform them of their names," and when he
had informed them of their names, He said: "Did I not tell you
that I know the Ghaib (unseen) in the heavens and the earth,
and I know what you reveal and what you have been
concealing?"
And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate
yourselves before Adam." And they prostrated except Iblis, he
refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers
(disobedient to Allah)." Surah 2: 31-34
The Fall from Paradise
And We said: "0 Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the
Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight
of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this
tree or you both will be of the Zalimeen (wrong-doers)."
Then the Satan made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and
got them out from that in which they were. We said: "Get you
down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a
dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time." Surah 2:
35-36
Allah's Mercy on Adam
Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord
pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One
Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful.
We said: "Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise),
then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and
whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them,
nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our
Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)
such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein
forever." Surah 2: 38-39
Iblis (Satan), Man's Enemy : Iblis's Arrogance
Almighty Allah also revealed: And surely, We created you
(your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape
of a human being), then We told the angels, "Prostrate to
Adam'; and they prostrated, except Iblis, he refused to be of
those who prostrate.
(Allah) said: 'What prevented you (0 Iblis) that you did not
prostrate, when I commanded you?"
(Iblis) said: "I am better than him (Adam), You created me from
fire, and him You created from clay."
(Allah) said: "0 Iblis, get down from this (Paradise), it is not for
you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those
humiliated and disgraced." Surah 7: 11-13
Iblis's Vow for Evil
(Iblis) said: "Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (i.e.
The Day of Resurrection)."
(Allah) said: "You are of those allowed respite."
(Iblis) said: "Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in
wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I
will come to them from before them and behind them, from
their right and from their left, and You will not find most of
them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You)."
(Allah) said (to Iblis): "Get out from this (Paradise) disgraced
and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you,
then surely I will fill Hell with you all." Surah 7: 14-18
Eating from the Forbidden Tree
"And 0 Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat
thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise
you both will be of the Zalimeen (unjust and wrong-doers)."
Then Satan whispered suggestions to them both in order to
uncover that which was hidden from them of their private
parts (before); he said: "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree
save you should become angels or become of the immortals."
And he (Satan) swore by Allah to them both (saying): "Verily, I
am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both."
So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of
the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame
(private parts) became manifest to them and they began to
stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order
to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them
(saying): "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily,
Satan is an open enemy unto you?"
They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You
forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall
certainly be of the losers." Allah said: "Get down, one of you
an enemy to the other (i.e. Adam, Eve, and Satan, etc.). On
earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment, - for
a time." He said: "Therein you shall live, and therein you shall
die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e., resurrected).
Surah 7: 19-25
Traditions About Iblis
There were many traditions about Iblis at the time of the
Prophet Muhammad . Ibn Masud, Ibn Abbas, and a group of
the companions of the Prophet Muhammad said that Iblis had
been the head of the angels in the worldly heavens. Ibn Abbas
said in one narration that his name had been Azazil, and in
another narration he said it had been Al-Harith. Ibn 'Abbas also
said that Iblis was a jinn and that they had once been the
keepers of Paradise, with Iblis the most honorable, the most
learned and the most pious of them. Another tradition says that
he had been one of the famous four possessors of wings (i.e.
angels), before Allah transformed him into the accursed Satan.
Iblis's Vow to Mislead - Surah 38
Allah Almighty recounts Iblis's disobedience in another surah:
(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Truly I am
going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him
and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall
down prostrate to him." So the angels prostrated themselves,
all of them: except Iblis, he was proud and was one of the
disbelievers.
(Allah) said: "0 Iblis! What prevents you from prostrating
yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are
you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of
the high exalted?" (Iblis) said "I am better than he, You created
me from fire, and You created him from clay."
(Allah) said: "Then get you from here, for verily, you are
outcast. And verily!, My Curse is on you till the Day of
Recompense." (Iblis) said: 'My Lord! Give me then respite till the
Day the (dead) are resurrected." Allah said: "Verily! You are of
those allowed respite - till the Day of the time appointed." Iblis
said: "By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all, -
except Your chosen slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient,
true believers of Islamic Monotheism)."
(Allah) said: "The truth is, and the truth I say, - that I will fill
Hell with you (Iblis) and those of them (mankind) that follow
you, together." Surah 38: 71-85
Commentary: Prostrating before Adam
We imagine when Allah the Almighty decided to create Adam:
He addressed His angels and told them to prostrate before him.
He did not mean to ask their opinion or take their advice, for
He is above that. Allah the Exalted told them that He was going
to create a vicegerent on the earth who would have children
and grandchildren who would corrupt the earth and shed
each other's blood. That is why the angels said to Allah the
Almighty: "Will You place therein those who will make mischief
therein and shed blood!" Surah 2:30
Traditions about the Angels
There are old traditions about the angels before the creation of
Adam. According to Ibn Qatadah, it was said that the angels
were informed about the creation of Adam and his progeny by
the jinn who lived before Adam. 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar said that
the jinn had existed for about two thousand years before
Adam and then shed blood. Therefore, Allah sent on them an
army of angels that drove them out to the depths of the seas.
Thn Abi Hatim narrated from Ali Jafar Al-Baqer that the angels
were informed that man would cause wickedness and shed
blood on earth. It was also said that they knew that no one
would be created on earth who would not be wicked and
shed blood.
Whether or not these traditions are correct, the angels did
understand that Allah would create a vicegerent on earth.
Allah the Almighty announced that He was going to create a
human being out of clay, that He would mold him and blow
His spirit into him, and then the angels should prostrate before
him.
Creation-Brief Version of the Creation of Man
Abi Musa Al-Shaarai narrated that Prophet Muhammad said:
"Allah created Adam from a handful of dust taken from
different lands, so the children of Adam have been created
according to the composition of the land. Therefore, from
mankind we have white, red, black and yellow ones; we have
good and evil, ease and sorrow, and what comes in between
them."
Getting the Clay to Make Man
Ibn Masud and other companions of the Prophet said that
Allah the Almighty sent Gabriel onto the earth to get Him clay
therefrom. The earth said: "I seek refuge in Allah from your
decreasing my quantity or disfiguring me." So Gabriel returned
and did not take anything. And he said: "My Lord, the land
sought refuge in You, and it was granted."
So Allah sent Michael for the same purpose, and the land
sought refuge with Allah and it was granted. So he went back
and said to Allah what Gabriel had said before him.
Then Allah sent the Angel of Death, and the land sought
refuge in Allah. The angel said: "I also seek refuge with Allah
from returning without carrying out His command." So he took
clay from the face of the earth and mixed it. He did not take
from one particular place, but rather he took white, red, and
black clay (from different places).
The Angel of Death ascended with it, and He (Allah) soaked
the clay till it became sticky. Then Allah said to the angels:
"Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have
fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me.
Then you fall down prostrate to him. Surah 38: 71-72
The Angels' Fear of Adam
So Allah shaped Adam into a human being, but he remained a
figure of clay for forty years. The angels went past him. They
were seized with fear by what they saw, and Iblis felt this fear
most. He used to pass by the figure of Adam, buffeting it,
which would make a sound like pottery. Allah told us: He
created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of
pottery. Surah 55: 14
The Breathing of Allah's Spirit
When the time drew near to breathe the spirit into Adam, as
Allah the Almighty decreed, He commanded the angels:
'When I breathe My spirit into him prostrate before him." Allah
breathed His spirit into Adam and when it reached his head
Adam sneezed. The angels said: "Say all praise belongs to
Allah." Adam repeated: "All praise belongs to Allah." Allah
said to him: "Your Lord has granted you mercy." When the
spirit reached his eyes, Adam looked at the fruits of Paradise.
When it reached his abdomen Adam felt an appetite for food.
He jumped hurriedly before the spirit could reach his legs, so
that he could eat from the fruits of Paradise. Allah, therefore,
said: Man is created of haste. Surah 21: 37
And then: The angels prostrated themselves, all of them
together. Except Iblis - he refused to be among the prostrators.
Surah 15: 31-32
Another Version of Adam's Creation
Another version of the story relates that Allah took a handful
of the dust of the earth and mixed into it the colors white,
black, yellow, and red. That is the reason why men are born
different colors. When Allah mixed the dust with water, it
turned into potter's clay that makes a sound. It was fermented
and had a smell. Iblis passed by, wondering what was going to
be made of that clay. From the clay Allah created Adam. He
molded his form with His own hands and blew His spirit into
him. Adam's body quivered as life was imbued into it. Verily,
His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to
it, "Be!"- and it is! Surah 37: 82
The Reason for Adam's Creation
After this lesson about freedom, Adam learned another lesson,
one about knowledge. Adam realized that Iblis was the symbol
of evil in the universe and that the angels were the symbol of
good. However, he did not yet know anything about himself.
Then Allah made him perceive his true identity, the reason for
his creation, and the secret of his glorification.
Allah the Exalted said: And He taught Adam all the names (of
everything). Surah 2: 31
Almighty Allah granted Adam the power to know the natures
of all things and to summarize them by names: that is a bird,
that is a star, that is a tree, that is a cloud, etc. Allah implanted
in Adam an insatiable need for and love of knowledge and a
desire to bequeath knowledge to his children. This was the
reason for his creation and the secret in his glorification.
Establishing the Islamic Greeting
Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad said: "Allah
created Adam from dust after He mixed the clay and left him
for some time until it became sticky mud, after which Allah
shaped him. After that Allah left him till it became like potter's
clay. Iblis used to go past him saying: 'You have been created
for a great purpose.' After that Allah breathed His spirit into
him. The first thing into which the spirit passed was his eye and
then his nose. He sneezed. Allah said: 'May your Lord have
mercy upon you, 0 Adam! Go to those angels and see what
they would say.' So Adam went and greeted them. They
replied saying: 'Peace be upon you and the mercy and
blessings of Allah.' Allah said: '0 Adam! This is your greeting
and that of your offspring. Sahih Al-Bukhari
Adam's Progeny Accept Allah
Allah the Almighty revealed: And (remember) when your Lord
brought forth from the children of Adam, from their loins, their
seed (or from Adam's loin his offspring) and made them testify
as to themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord?" They said:
"Yes! We testify," lest you should say on the Day of
Resurrection: "Verily, we have been unaware of this." Or lest
you should say: "It was only our fathers aforetime who took
others as partners in worship along with Allah, and we were
(merely their) descendants after them; will you then destroy us
because of the deeds of men who practiced Al-Batil (i.e.
polytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and
worshipping others besides Allah)?" Thus do We explain the
Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)
in detail, so that they may turn (unto the truth).' Surah 7:
172-174
Adam's progeny declared: "Our Lord, we bear witness that You
are our Lord; we have no other Lord but Allah." Allah raised
their father Adam, and he looked at them and saw those of
them who were rich, those who were poor, those who had
good forms and those who did not. Adam said: "0 Allah! I wish
You to make Your servants equal." Allah replied: "I love being
thanked." Adam saw among the prophets like lamps among his
progeny.
The Prophet's Covenant
Almighty Allah declared: And (remember) when We took from
the Prophets their covenant, and from you (0 Muhammad),
and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus - son of Mary. We
took from them a strong covenant. Surah 33: 7
In another verse Allah the Exalted commanded: "So set you (0
Muhammad) your face towards the religion of pure Islamic
Monotheism Hanifan (worship none but Allah Alone) Allah's
Fitrah (i.e. Allah's Islamic Monotheism), with which He has
created mankind. No change let there be in khalqillah (i.e. the
Religion of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), that is the straight
religion, but most men know not." Surah 30:30
Similarity between Adam and Jesus (PBUT)
Allah the Almighty declared: Verily, the likeness of Jesus, in
Allah's Sight is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust,
then (He) said to him: "Be!" - and he was. Surah 3: 59
Angels' Prostate in Front of Adam - The Meaning of the Angels'
Prostration
Adam opened his eyes and saw all the angels prostrating
before him except one being who was standing at a distance.
Adam did not know what kind of creature it was that did not
prostrate before him, nor did he know its name. Iblis was
standing with the angels so as to be included in the command
given to them, but he was not one of them. He was a jinn, and,
as such he was supposed to be inferior to the angels. What is
clear is that this prostration was to show respect and did not
mean that the angels were worshipping Adam. Prostrating, in
worship is done only for Allah.
Iblis's Refusal to Prostrate - Surah 15
Almighty Allah recounted the story of Iblis's refusal to prostrate
before Adam: And (remember) when your Lord said to the
angels: "I am going to create a man (Adam) from sounding clay
of altered black smooth mud. So, when I have fashioned him
completely and breathed into him (Adam) the soul which I
created for him, then fall (you) down prostrating yourselves
unto him." So, the angels prostrated themselves, all of them
together. Except Iblis, - he refused to be among the prostrators.
(Allah) said: "0 Iblis! What is your reason for not being among
the prostrators?" (Iblis) said: "I am not the one to prostrate
myself to a human being, whom You created from sounding
clay of altered black smooth mud." (Allah) said: "Then, get out
from here, for verily, you are Rajim (an outcast or a cursed
one). And verily, the curse shall be upon you till the Day of
Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)." Surah 15: 28-35
Iblis's Reason for not Prostrating
In another surah Almighty Allah recounted it thus: And surely,
We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape
(the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels,
"Prostrate to Adam" and they prostrated, except Iblis, he
refused to be of those who prostrate.
(Allah) said: 'What prevented you (0 Iblis) that you did not
prostrate, when I commanded you?" Iblis said: "I am better than
him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created
from clay." Allah said: "(0 Iblis) get down from this (Paradise),
it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of
those humiliated and disgraced." (Iblis) said: "Allow me respite
till the Day they are raised up (i.e. The Day of Resurrection)."
Allah said: "You are of those allowed respite." Surah 7: 11-15
Commentary: Iblis's Refusal to Prostrate
Ibn Jarir reported that Muhammad Ibn Sirin said that the first
one to reach a conclusion by reasoning was Iblis and that the
sun and moon were not worshipped except through this
method.
This means that Iblis tried to compare himself to Adam. He
believed that he was more honorable than Adam. Therefore,
he abstained from prostrating, even though Allah had
commanded him to do so, just as He had commanded the
angels. If an analogy is made, we see that Iblis is vain. For
indeed, clay is better than fire because in it can be found the
qualities of calmness, clemency, perseverance, and growth;
whereas in fire can be found heedlessness, insignificance,
haste, and incineration.
Iblis tried in vain to justify his refusal: "Shall I prostrate to one
whom You created from clay?" (Iblis) said: "See? This one
whom You have honored above me, if You give me respite
(keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will surely seize
and mislead his offspring (by sending them astray) all but a
few!" Surah 17: 62
Adam's Perspective of Iblis
Adam was following what was happening around him and
had feelings of love, awe, and astonishment. Deep love of
Allah, Who had created and glorified him and Who had made
His angels prostrate before him. Awe of the Creator's wrath
when He excluded Iblis from His mercy. Adam was surprised by
this creature, Iblis, who abhorred him without even knowing
him, and who imagined himself better than Adam without
having proved that he was worthier. What a strange creature
Iblis was, and how strange was his excuse for not prostrating!
He (Iblis) imagined that fire is better than clay, but how did he
get such an idea? Such knowledge is exclusive to Allah Who
created fire and clay and Who knows which is the better of the
two.
From the dialogue Adam realized that Iblis was a creature
characterized by cunning and ingratitude. He then knew that
Iblis was his eternal enemy. He was greatly astonished at Iblis's
audacity and Allah's tolerance. Immediately after his creation,
Adam witnessed the large amount of freedom that Allah gives
to His commissioned creatures.
Commentary: Allah's Freedom to Creatures
Allah knew that Iblis was not going to obey Him in prostrating
before Adam. Allah could have totally annihilated him or
turned him into a handful of dust or stifled the refusal in his
mouth. Yet, Allah gives His commissioned creatures absolute
freedom even to the extent that they can refuse Allah the
Almighty's commands. He grants them the freedom of denial,
disobedience, and even disagreement with Him.
His kingdom will not diminish if the disbelievers do not believe
in Him, nor will it be extended if many people believe in Him.
On the contrary, the disbelievers will lose, and the believers
will gain, but Allah is above all of that.
Adam Learns Names
After Adam had learned the names of all things, along with
their properties and uses, Allah presented them to the angels
and said: "Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful."
Surah 2:31 The angels admitted their inability: "Glory be to You,
we have no knowledge except what You have taught us.
Verily, it is You, The All-Knowing, The All-Wise. " Surah 2:32
Allah Almighty then turned to Adam: "0 Adam! inform them of
their names," and when he had informed them of their names,
He said: "Did I not tell you that I know the Ghaib (unseen) in
the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and
what you have been concealing?" Surah 2:33
Allah wanted the angels to know that He knew of their
astonishment when He had told them about the creation of
Adam and that He also knew of their confusion which they
had not revealed, as well as what Iblis had concealed of his
disobedience and ingratitude.
Angels Acknowledge Adam's Knowledge
The angels realized that Adam was the creature who knew
what they did not know and that his capacity to learn was his
noblest quality. His knowledge included knowledge of the
Creator which we call Faith or Islam, as well as the knowledge
that he would need to inhabit and master the earth, and all
kinds of worldly knowledge which are included in this.
Creation of Eve - The Reason for Eve's Creation
Adam knew the names of everything. Sometimes he talked to
the angels, but they were preoccupied with worshiping
Almighty Allah. Therefore, Adam felt lonely. One day he slept
and when he awoke he found, near his head, a woman gazing
at his face with beautiful, tender eyes. Perhaps they had the
following conversation:
Adam: You were not here before I slept.
She: Yes.
He: From what...?
She: I came out of you. Allah created me while you were
asleep. Do you not desire to restore me to you while you are
awake?
He: Why has Allah created you?
She: To be your solace.
He: Thanks to Allah I was feeling lonely.
Eve's Name
The angels asked him her name. He replied: "Eve (Hawwa)."
They asked: "Why did you call her Eve?" Adam said: "Because
she was created of me, and I am a living being." (The root of
the name Hawwa" means "living things.")
Adam Sees Eve
Ibn Abbas and a group of the companions of the Prophet
narrated that when Iblis was sent out of Paradise and Adam
was accommodated therein, Adam was alone in Paradise and
did not have a partner from whom he could get tranquility. He
slept for some time and when he woke up, he saw a woman
whom Allah had created from his ribs. So he asked her: "Who
are you?" She replied: "A woman." He asked: "Why have you
been created?" She replied: "So that you could find tranquility
in me." The angels, trying to find out the extent of his
knowledge, asked him: "What is her name, 0 Adam?" He
replied: "Eve." They asked: "Why was she so named?" He
replied: "Because she was created from something living."
Eve's Creation
Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn 'Abbas related that Eve was
created from the shortest left rib of Adam while he was
sleeping, and after a while she was clothed with flesh. That is
why Allah the Exalted said: 0 Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord,
Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from him
(Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He
created many men and women. Surah 4: 1
Allah also said: It is He Who has created you from a single
person (Adam), and (then) He created from him his wife (Eve),
in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.
Surah 7: 189
The Location of Adam and Eve's Paradise
The location of this Paradise is unknown to us. The Qur'an did
not reveal it, and the commentators had five different opinions.
Some said that it was the paradise of our refuge and that its
place was heaven. Others negated that statement because if it
was the paradise of refuge, Iblis would have been forbidden
admission and disobedience would have been forbidden as
well. Still others said that it was another paradise that was
created by Allah for Adam and Eve. A fourth group said that it
was a paradise on the earth, located in a high place. Another
group of commentators accept what was in the Qur'an without
questioning where this paradise was located. We agree with
this last opinion, as the lesson we learn from its location is
immaterial compared to the lesson we learn from the events
that took place there.
The Forbidden Tree - Allah's Warning to Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were admitted to Paradise and there they lived
the dream of all human beings. Allah permitted them to
approach and enjoy everything except one tree, that might
have been the Tree of Pain or the Tree of Knowledge. Allah
forbade them before they were given abode in Paradise: "0
Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both
of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as
wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both
will be of the Zalimeen (wrong-doers). " Surah 2: 35
Adam's Weakness
Adam and Eve understood that they were forbidden to eat the
fruit of that tree. Adam was, however, a human being, and
man tends to forget. His heart changes and his will weakens.
Iblis summoned all the envy within him and took advantage of
Adam's humanity to exploit him. He started to whisper to him
day after day, coaxing him: "Shall I guide you to the Tree of
Immortality and the Eternal Kingdom?" And he said to them:
"Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should
become angels or become of the immortals." And he (Satan)
swore by Allah to them both (saying): "Verily, I am one of the
sincere well-wishers for you both." Surah 7: 20-21
Adam asked himself: "What will happen if I eat from this tree?
It might truly be the Tree of Immortality." His dream was to live
forever in the pure innocence of Paradise.
Adam and Eve Eat from the Forbidden Tree
Years went by, and Adam and Eve were preoccupied with
thoughts of that tree. Then, one day, they decided to eat of its
fruit. They forgot that Allah had warned them not to approach
it and that Iblis was their sworn enemy. Adam stretched out his
hand, picked one of the fruits, and offered it to Eve. They both
ate of the forbidden tree.
Allah Almighty told us: "So he Satan misled them with
deception. "2 Surah 7: 22 Allah also said: Thus did Adam
disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Surah 20: 121
Old Testament Version - The Forbidden Tree
According to the Old Testament, Eve was tempted by the
serpent to eat of the forbidden tree. She ate because of the
words of the serpent and fed Adam some of it. At that
moment, their eyes were opened to the fact that they were
naked, and they took the leaves of the fig tree to cover
themselves. Wahb Ibn Munabah said that their clothing (before
their sin) was made of light on the private parts of both of
them.
This story in the Old Testament is a falsification and deception.
Allah the Almighty revealed: "0 Children of Adam! Let not
Satan deceive you, as he got your parents (Adam and Eve) out
of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments; to show them their
private parts. Verily he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn
or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily,
We made the devils protectors and helpers) for those who
believe not. " Surah 7: 27
Adam and Eve Ask for Forgiveness
Adam had hardly finished eating when he felt his heart
contract, and he was filled with pain, sadness, and shame. The
surrounding atmosphere had changed and the internal music
had stopped. He discovered that he and his wife were naked,
so they both started cutting tree leaves with which to cover
themselves.
Allah the Almighty addressed him: "Did I not forbid you that
tree and tell you: Verily, Satan is an open enemy unto you?"
They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You
forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall
certainly be of the losers." (Allah) said: "Get down, one of you
an enemy to the other (i.e., Adam, Eve, and Satan, etc.). On
earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment, - for
a time." He said: "Therein you shall live, and therein you shall
die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e. resurrected)."
Surah 7: 22-25
Various Stories About Adam and Eve's Mistake
Again there are old stories about these events. Al-Hafez Ibn
'Asaker narrated that Allah commanded two angels to remove
Adam from His holy proximity. So Gabriel stripped him of the
crown on his head, and Michael took the diadem from his
forehead. Adam thought that his punishment had been
hastened and bowed down crying: "Forgiveness! Forgiveness!"
So Allah asked: "Are you running away from Me?" Adam
replied: "No, my Lord, but I am shy of You."
Abdul Rahman Ibn Amru Al-Awzaiy said that Adam spent one
hundred years in Paradise. In another narration it was said that
he spent sixty years. Ibn Asaker reported that Adam wept for
sixty years for his loss of Paradise and seventy years for his
mistake, and he wept for another seventy years when his son
was killed.
Adam and Eve's Decent from Paradise
They left Paradise and descended upon the earth. Adam was
sad and Eve was crying. Allah accepted their repentance
because it was sincere, and He told them that the earth would
be their realm and origin where they would live and die and
whence they would come on the Day of Judgment.
Condensed Story of Adam and Allah's Promise
Allah the Almighty recounted this third lesson Adam learned in
Paradise: And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before,
but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm will-power.
And (remember) when We said to the angels "Prostrate
yourselves to Adam." They prostrated (all) except Iblis, who
refused. Then We said: "0 Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you
and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise,
so that you be distressed in misery. Verily, you have (a promise
from Us) that you will never be hungry therein nor naked.
And you (will) suffer not from thirst therein nor from the sun's
heat."
Then Satan whispered to him, saying: "0 Adam! Shall I lead you
to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste
away?" Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private
parts appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves
the leaves from Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam
disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Then his Lord chose him,
and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance.
(Allah) said: "Get you down (upon the earth), both of you,
together (from Paradise), some of you are an enemy to some
others. Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then
whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall
into distress and misery. But whosoever turns away from My
Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur'an nor acts on its
orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall
raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection."
He will say: "0 my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind,
while I had sight (before)." (Allah) will say: "Like this, Our Ayat
(proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came
unto you, but you disregarded them (i.e. you left them, did not
think deeply in them, and you turned away from them), and so
this Day, you will be neglected (in the Hell-Fire, away from
Allah's Mercy).
And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds
i.e. commits the great sins and disobeys his Lord (Allah) and
believes not in His Messengers, and His revealed Books, like this
Quran. etc., and believes not in the Ayat (proofs, evidences,
verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, and the
torment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting. "
Surah 20: 115-127
Commentary: Why Adam and Eve Descended
Some people believe that the reason why mankind does not
dwell in Paradise is that Adam was disobedient and that if it
had not been for this sin, we could have been there all along.
These are naive fictions because when Almighty Allah wanted
to create Adam, He said to the angels: "I shall make a
vicegerent on the earth." He did not say: "I shall make a
vicegerent in Paradise."
Adam's descent on earth, then, was not due to degradation but
rather it was a dignified descent. Allah knew that Adam and
Eve would eat of the tree and descend to earth. He knew that
Satan would rape their innocence. That experience was
essential for their life on earth; it was a cornerstone of their
vicegerency. It was meant to teach Adam, Eve, and their
progeny that it was Satan who had caused them to be expelled
from Paradise and that the road to Paradise can only be
reached by obedience to Allah and enmity to Satan.
Commentary: Adam's Free Will
Could it be said that Adam and the rest of mankind were
predestined to sin and to be expelled from Paradise and sent to
the earth? In fact, this fiction is as naive as the first one. Adam
had complete free will, and he bore the consequences of his
deed. He disobeyed by eating of the forbidden tree, so Allah
dismissed him from Paradise. His disobedience does not negate
his freedom. On the contrary, it is a consequence of it.
The truth of the matter is that Allah knew what was going to
happen, as He always knows the outcome of events before
they take place. However, Allah does not force things to
happen. He grants free will to His human creatures. On that He
bases His supreme wisdom in populating the earth, establishing
the vicegerents, and so on.
Adam understood his third lesson. He knew now in a practical
way that Iblis was his enemy, the cause of his losing the
blessing of living in Paradise, and the cause of his distress.
Adam also understood that Allah punishes disobedience and
that the way to Paradise has to be through submission to the
will of Allah. And he learned from Almighty Allah to ask for
forgiveness.
Allah accepted Adam's repentance and forgave him. He then
sent him to the earth as His first messenger.
Encounter Between Adam and Moses (PBUT) - Hadith
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Messenger said: "Adam and
Moses argued with each other. Moses said to Adam: Your sin
expelled you from Paradise. Adam said to him: 'You are Moses
whom Allah selected as His messenger and as the one to whom
He spoke directly. Yet you blame me for a thing which had
already been written in my fate before my Creation?' Allah's
Prophet Muhammad said twice: "So, Adam outclassed Moses."
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab also narrated that Prophet Muhammad
said: "Moses said: 'My Lord! May I see Adam who removed us
and himself from the Paradise?' So Allah made him see Adam,
and he said to him: 'Are you Adam?' Adam said: 'Yes.' And he
said: 'Were you the one in whom Allah breathed His spirit, and
before whom He bowed His angels, and to whom He taught
the names of all things?' Adam answered: 'Yes.' So Moses said:
'What made you remove us and yourself from Paradise?' Adam
said unto him: 'Who are you?' He said: 'I am Moses.' Adam said:
'So you are Moses the prophet of the Children of Israel. Were
you the one Allah spoke to directly?' Moses answered: 'Yes.'
Adam said: 'Why do you blame me for a matter which Allah
had predestined?"' So Allah's Prophet Muhammad said twice.
"Adam outclassed Moses."
Variation on Where Adam, Eve, and Iblis Descended
There are many traditions concerning the place of Adam's
descent upon earth. Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Ibn Abbas said:
"Adam descended on land called 'Dihna' between Mecca
(Makkah) and Taif." Al-Hassan said that Adam descended in
India, Eve in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Iblis in Bodistiman (Iraq),
and the serpent in Ashahan (Iran). This was also reported by
Ibn Hatim.
Assady related that Adam descended with the Black Stone1 in
India (A large black stone set into the wail of the Kaba in
Mecca; it is said to have come from Paradise), and he had a
handful of the seeds of Paradise. He sowed them in India and
they grew into the fragrant tree therein.
Lbn Umar said that Adam descended on As-Safa and Eve on
Al-Marwa (As-Safa and Al-Marwa are the names of two
mountains in the vicinity of the Sacred House in Mecca; part of
the rites of pilgrimage (Hajj) Include pacing between these two
hills in commemoration of Hajar's search for water). This was
also reported by Ibn Hatim. AbdulRazzaq reported that Abi
Musa Al-Shari said that when Allah ordered Adam to descend
from Paradise to earth, He taught him the making of everything
and provided him with the crops from Paradise.
Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad said: "The best
of days on which the sun has risen is Friday. On this day Adam
was created, and on this day he was descended to earth."3
Adam's Life on Earth
Adam knew he bade farewell to peace when he left Paradise.
On earth he had to face conflict and struggle. No sooner had
one ended than another began. He also had to toil to sustain
himself. He had to protect himself with clothes and weapons
and protect his wife and children from the wild beasts.
Above all, he had to struggle with the spirit of evil. Satan, the
cause of his expulsion from Paradise, continued to beguile him
and his children in an effort to have them thrown into the
eternal hellfire. The battle between good and evil is
continuous, but those who follow Allah's guidance should fear
nothing, while those who disobey Allah and follow Iblis will
be damned along with him.
Adam grasped all of this, and, with the knowledge of this
suffering, he started his life on the earth. The only thing that
allayed his grief was that he was master of the earth and had
to make it yield to him. He was the one who had to perpetuate,
cultivate, construct and populate the earth. He was also the
one who had to procreate and raise children who would
change and improve the world.
The First Four Children
The pinnacle of earthly bliss was reached when Adam and Eve
witnessed the birth of their first children, a set of twins. Adam
was a devoted father and Eve a contented mother. The twins
were Cain (Qabil) and his sister. Later Eve gave birth to a
second set of twins, Abel (Habil) and his sister. The family
enjoyed the bounties and fruits of the earth provided by their
Lord. The children grew up to be strong and healthy young
adults. Cain tilled the land, while Abel raised cattle.
Cain's Disobedience
The time arrived when the two young men desired life
partners. This was part of Allah's plan for mankind, to multiply
and form nations with different cultures and colors. Allah
revealed to Adam that he should marry each son to the twin
sister of the other. Adam instructed his children according to
Allah's command, but Cain was displeased with the partner
chosen for him, for Abel's twin-sister was not as beautiful as his
own.
Commentary: Cain's Disobedience
It appears that since the beginning of time, physical beauty has
been a factor in the attraction between men and women. This
attraction caused Cain to envy his brother Abel. He rebelled
against Allah's command by refusing to accept his father's
advice.
At first glance Cain's rebellion might appear strange, but we
should remember that, although man has a pure nature, the
potential for dichotomy exists. In other words, he has both
good and bad qualities. He can become greedy, covetous,
possessive, selfish and even destructive. Man is, therefore,
capable of seeking self-satisfaction even if it leads to failure in
this life and in the hereafter. The path to goodness lies in
harnessing the enemy within him, his baser self, by controlling
evil thoughts and deeds and practicing moderation in his
desires and actions. His reward then will be the delights of this
world and the hereafter. Thus Allah tests us through our
divided nature.
Cain's Jealousy of Abel
Adam was in a dilemma. He wanted peace and harmony in his
family, so he invoked Allah for help. Allah commanded that
each son offer a sacrifice, and he whose offering was accepted
would have right on his side. Abel offered his best camel,
while Cain offered his worst grain. His sacrifice was not
accepted by Allah because of his disobedience to his father
and the insincerity in his offering.
This enraged Cain even further. Realizing that his hopes of
marrying his own beautiful sister were fading, he threatened
his brother: "I will kill you! I refuse to see you happy while I
remain unhappy!"
Abel, feeling sorry for his brother, replied: "It would be more
proper for you, my brother, to search for the cause of your
unhappiness and then walk in the way of peace. Allah accepts
deeds only from those who serve and fear Him, not from those
who reject His commands."
The First Death
Abel was intelligent, obedient, and always ready to obey the
will of Allah. This contrasted sharply with his brother, who was
arrogant, selfish and disobedient to his Lord. Abel did not fear
his brother's threats, but neither did he want his brother to be
hurt. Allah had blessed Abel with purity and compassion.
Hoping to allay the hatred seething in his brother, Abel said:
"My brother, you are deviating from the right path and are
sinful in your decisions. It is better that you repent to Allah and
forget about your foolish threat. But if you do not, then I will
leave the matter in the hands of Allah. You alone will bear the
consequence of your sin, for the Fire is the reward of the
wrong-doers."
This brotherly plea did nothing to lessen the hatred in Cain's
heart, nor did he show fear of Allah's punishment. Even
familial considerations were cast aside. Cain struck his brother
with a stone, killing him instantly. This was the first death and
the first criminal act committed by man on earth.
When Abel had not appeared for some time, Adam began to
search for him but found no trace of his beloved son. He asked
Cain about Abel's whereabouts. Cain insolently replied that he
was not his brother's keeper nor his protector. From these
words his father understood that Abel was dead and Adam
was filled with grief.
The First Burial
Meanwhile, Cain did not know what to do with his brother's
corpse. He carried it on his back wandering from place to
place, trying to hide it. His anger had now subsided, and his
conscience was saddled with guilt. He was tiring under the
burden of the corpse which had started to have a stench. As a
mercy, and to show that dignity could be retained even in
death, Allah sent two ravens that began fighting, causing the
death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws to dig
a hole in the ground, rolled its victim into it and covered it with
sand.
Witnessing this, Cain was overcome with shame and remorse.
"Woe unto me!" he exclaimed. "I was unable to do what this
raven has done, that is to hide my brother's corpse." Cain then
buried his brother. This was also the first burial of man.
The First Murder - from Qur'an
Allah the Almighty revealed: And (0 Muhammad) recite to
them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam Abel and
Cain - Habil and Qabil respectively in truth; when each offered
a sacrifice (to Allah), it was accepted from the one but not
from the other. The latter said to the former: "I will surely kill
you."
The former said: "Verily, Allah accepts only from those who
are Al-Muttaqeen (the pious). If you do stretch your hand
against me to kill me, I shall never stretch my hand against you
to kill you, for I fear Allah; the Lord of the Alamin (mankind,
jinn, and all that exists). Verily I intend to let you draw my sin
on yourself as well as yours, then you will be one of the
dwellers of the Fire, and that is the recompense of the
Zalimeen (polyt heists, and wrong-doers)."
So the Nafs (self) of the other (latter one) encouraged him and
made fair-seeming to him the murder of his brother; he
murdered him and became one of the losers. Then Allah sent a
crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead
body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: "Woe to me! Am I
not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of
my brother?" Then he became one of those who regretted.
Surah 5:27-31
The First Murder - from Various Hadith
Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masud and a group of the companions of the
Prophet related that inter-marriage of the male of one
pregnancy with the female of another had been in practice
among Adam's children. Abel wanted to marry Cain's sister, but
Cain wanted her for himself because she was very beautiful.
Adam ordered him to give her in marriage to his brother, but
he refused. So Adam ordered both of them to offer a sacrifice,
then went to Mecca (Makkah) to perform the pilgrimage. After
Adam had left, they offered their sacrifices: Abel offered a fat
lamb - he was a shepherd - while Cain offered a bundle of the
worst grain. A fire descended and devoured Abel's sacrifice,
leaving that of Cain, so he became angry and said: "I will surely
kill you so that you will not marry my sister." Abel replied:
"Allah accepts from those who fear Him."
According to Abu Jaafar Al-Baqer, Adam was watching their
offering and was sure that Abel's sacrifice would be accepted.
Cain complained to Adam that the acceptance was due to his
supplication for Abel and that he had not done the same for
him, so he promised his father to settle the matter between
himself and his brother. One night, Abel was late returning
from tending his flock. Adam sent Cain to see what had
happened to him. When he found him, he glared at him saying:
"Yours was accepted, and mine was not." Abel replied: "Allah
only accepts from the Allah-fearing." Cain became angry on
hearing this and hit him with a piece of iron that was with him,
thus killing him. In another version it was said that he killed
him with a rock to the head while he was sleeping.
Adam Preaches to His Children
Adam was utterly grief-stricken by the loss of his two sons: one
was dead, the other was won over by the devil. Adam prayed
for his son and turned to mundane matters, for he had to toil
for his sustenance. At the same time, he was a prophet, advising
his children and grandchildren, telling them about Allah, and
calling them to believe in Him. He told them about Iblis and
warned them by recounting his own experience with the devil
and of how the devil had tempted Cain to kill his brother.
Adam's Successor, Seth
Years and years passed, Adam grew old, and his children
spread all over the earth. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq related: that
when Adam's death drew near, he appointed his son Seth
(Shiith) to be his successor, and taught him the hours of the
day and night along with their appropriate acts of worship. He
also foretold to him the flood that would come.
Abu Dhar narrated that Prophet Muhammad said: "Allah sent
down one hundred four psalms, of which fifty were sent
down to Seth."
Adam's Death
Abdullah Ibn Al-Iman Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated that Ubai
Ibn Kab said: "When Adam's death was near, he said to his
children: '0 my children, indeed, I feel an appetite for the fruits
of Paradise.' So they went away searching for what Adam had
requested. They met with the angels, who had with them his
shroud and what he was to be embalmed with. They said to
them: '0 Children of Adam, what are you searching for? What
do you want? Where are you going?' They said: 'Our father is
sick and has an appetite for the fruits of Paradise.' The angels
said to them: 'Go back, for your father is going to meet his end
soon.' So they returned (with the angels), and when Eve saw
them she recognized them. She tried to hide herself behind
Adam. He said to her: 'Leave me alone. I came before you; do
not go between me and the angels of my Lord.' So they took
his soul, embalmed and wrapped him, dug the grave and laid
him in it. They prayed on him and put him in his grave, saying:
'0 Children of Adam, this is your tradition at the time of death."'
Before his death Adam reassured his children that Allah would
not leave man alone on the earth, but would send His
prophets to guide them. The prophets would have different
names, traits and miracles, but they would be united in one
thing: the call to worship Allah alone.
This was Adam's bequest to his children. Adam finished
speaking and closed his eyes. Then the angels entered his room
and surrounded him. When he recognized the Angel of Death
among them, his heart smiled peacefully.
Successor After Adam
After Adam's death, his son Seth (Shiith) took over the
responsibilities of prophethood, according to a hadith narrated
by Abu Dhar. Abu Dhar also narrated that Prophet Muhammad
said: "Allah sent down one hundred four psalms, of which fifty
were sent down to Seth." When the time of his death came,
Seth's son Anoush succeeded him. He in turn, was succeeded
by his son Qinan, who was succeeded by his son Mahlabeel.
The Persians claim that Mahlabeel was the King of the Seven
Regions, that he was the first one to cut down trees to build
cities and large forts and that he built the cities of Babylonia.
He reigned for a period of forty years. When he died his duties
were taken over by his son Yard, who on his death,
bequeathed them to his son Khonoukh, who is Idris according
to the majority of the scholars (Ulama).