Story of Adam (pbuh)Ibn
Kathir
Allah the Almighty revealed:
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.' Allah said:
'I know that which you do not know.'
Allah 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: "O 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 unseen in the
heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been
hiding?"
Remember when We
said to the angels: "Prostrate yourself before Adam" They prostrated
except Iblis, he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers
(disobedient to Allah)."
We said: "O Adam!
Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and 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 (wrongdoers)."
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."
Then Adam
received from his Lord Words. 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 Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, and
signs and revelations, etc) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they
shall abide therein forever."
(Chapter 2:30-39, Qur'an).
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 those who
prostrate.
Allah
said: "What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not postrate 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: "O 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 (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 (they will not
be dutiful to You)."
Allah
said: "Get out from Paradise, disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them
(mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all."
"And
O 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 wrongdoers)."
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." 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). 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 (resurrected)."
(Chapter 7:11-25 Qur'an).
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!"
(Chapter 2:30 Quran).
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 progency by the jinn
who lived before Adam. Abdullah Ibn Umar said that the jinn had existed
for about 2000 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. Ibn 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.
Abi Musa al Sha'arai narrated that the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him) 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." (Sahih al Bukhari).
Ibn Masud and other companions of the Prophet (PBUH) said
that Allah the Almighty sent Gabriel onto the earth to 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. He said:
"My Lord, the land sought refuge in You and it 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 has 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, 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."
(Chapter 38:71-72 Quran).
So Allah shaped Adam into a human being, but he remained a
figure of clay for 40 years. The angels went past him. They were seized
with fear by what they saw, and Iblis felt 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."
(Chapter 55:Quran).
When the time drew near to breathe the spirit into Adam, as
Allah 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."
(Chapter 21:37 Quran). And then:
The
angels prostrated themselves all of them together. Except Iblis, he
refused to be among the prostrators.
(Ch 15:31-32 Quran).
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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, O
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: "O Adam! This is your greeting and that
of your offspring."
(Sahih al Bukhari).
Allah the Almighty revealed:
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 father aforetime who took others pas 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
(polytheism) and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping
others besides Allah?"
Thus do We
explain the Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations
etc) in detail so that they may turn unto the truth.
(Ch 7:172-174 Quran).
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 and
those who were poor, and those who had good forms and those who did not.
Adam said: "O 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.
Almighty Allah declared:
Remember when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you
(o Muhammad), and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus son of Mary. We
took from them a strong covenant.
(Ch 33:7 Quran).
In another verse Allah the Exalted commanded:
"So set you (O Muhammad) your face towards the religion of pure
Islamic Monotheism Hanifan (worship none but Allah Alone) Allah's Fitrah
(Allah's Islamic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No
change let there be in khalqillah (the Religion of Allah--Islamic
Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most men know not."
(Ch 30:30 Quran).
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!
(Ch 37:82 Quran).
Allah the Almighty declared:
Verily the likeness of Jesus, in Allah's Sight is the likeness of
Adam, He created him from the dust then He said to him. "Be!" --and he
was.
(Ch 3:59 Quran).
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.
Almighty Allah recounted the story of Iblis's refusal to
prostate before Adam:
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: "O 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 cursed one). Verily the curse shall
be upon you till Day of Recompense (Day of Resurrection).
(Ch 15:28-35 Quran).
In another surah Almighty Allah recounted it thus:
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 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: "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 of
Resurrection)." Allah said: "You are of those allowed respite."
(Ch 7:11-15 Quran).
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 worshiped 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? those 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!"
(Ch 17:62 Quran).
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 hiwithout 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 imagined that fire is better than clay, but how did he
get such an idea? Such knowledge is exclusive to Allah Who 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.
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.
There were many traditions about Iblis at the time of
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ibn Masud, Ibn Abbas and a group of the
companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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 and the most learned and the most pious of them. Another
tradition says that he had been one of the famous four possessors of
wings (angels), before Allah transformed him into the accursed Satan.
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: "The
truth is, and the truth I say, that I will fill Hell with you and those
of them (mankind) that follow you together."
(Ch 38:71-85 Quran).
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 and the reason for his creation, and the secret of his
glorification.
Allah the Exalted said:
He taught Adam
all the names of everything.
(Ch 2:31 Quran).
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, 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 of his
glorification.
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."
(Ch 2:31 Quran)
the angels admitted their inability:
"Glory be to You,
we have knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily it is You the
All Knower, the All Wise."
(Ch 2:32)
Allah Almighty then turned to Adam:
"O 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 unseen in the heavens and the earth,
and I know what you reveal and what you have been hiding?"
(Ch 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.
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 he would need to inhabit and
master the earth. All kinds of worldly knowledge which are included in
this.
Adam knew the names of everything. Sometimes he talked to
the angels, but they were preoccupied with worshipping 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.
The angels asked him her name He replied: "Eve (Hawa)."
(means living things). They asked: "Why did you call her Eve?" Adam
said: "Because she was created of me and I am a living being."
Ibn Abbas and a group of companions of the Prophet (PBUH)
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 said :"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 O Adam?" He replied, "Eve" They asked "Why was she so
named?" He replied, " Because she was created from something living."
Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn Abbas related that Eve was
created from the shortest left rib of Adam while he was sleeping and
after awhile she was clothed with flesh. that is why Allah the Exalted
said: O 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.
(Ch 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.
(Ch 7:189).
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
"O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle
with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked
portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it
will break and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to
take care of the women."
(Sahih Bukhari).
Allah commanded Adam to dwell in Paradise:
"O 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).(Ch
2:35)
The location of this Paradise is unknown to us. The Quran
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 regreted 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
it was a paradise on the earth located in a high place. Another group of
commentators accept what was in the Quran 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 leafrom
the events that took place there.
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 they were give abode in
Paradise.
"But come not near this tree or you both will be of the wrong
doers."
(Ch 2:35)
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 thTree of Immortality and the Eternal Kingdom?" He said to them:
"Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become
angels or become of the immortals." He (Satan) swore by Allah to them
both saying: "Verily I am one of the sincere well wishers for you both."
(Ch 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."
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."
(Ch 7:22)
Allah said: "Thus did Adam disobey his Lord so he went astray."
(Ch 20:121).
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:
O Children of
Adam! Let not Satan deceive you, as he got your parents (Adam and Eve)
out of Paradise stripping them of their rainments; 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." (Ch 7:27)
Adam had hardly finished eating when he felt his heart
contract, and he as 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 (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
(resurrected)."
(7:22-25).
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 Awza iy said that Adam spent 100
years in Paradise. In another narration it was said he spent 60 years.
Ibn Asaker reported that Adam wept for 60 years for his loss of Paradise
and 70 years for his mistake, and he wept for another 70 years when his
son was killed.
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.
Allah the Almighty recounted this third lesson Adam learned
in Paradise:
Indeed We made
a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no
firm will power. Remember when We said to the angels "Prostrate
yourselves to Adam." They prostrated (all) except Iblis, who refused.
then We said: "O 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 thrist therein
nor from the sun's heat."
then
Satan whispered to him, saying "O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of
Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?" Then they both
ate of that 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 (neither believes in this Quran 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: "O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight
before." Allah will said: "like this, Our Ayat (proofs, evidences,
verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc). came unto you, but you
disregarded them (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
Hellfire, away from Allah's Mercy.)"
And
thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds (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. (Ch
20:115-127)
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 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 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.
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 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 know 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 3rd 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 of Paradise has to be
through submission to the will of Allah. And he learned from Allah
Almighty to ask for forgiveness.
Allah accepted Adam's repentance and forgave him. He then
sent him to the earth as His first messenger.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) said:
"Adam and Moses argued with each other. Moses said
to Adam: 'Your sin expelled you from Paradise.' Adam said: ' 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 (PBUH) said twice,
"So Adam outclassed Moses."
(Sahih
Bukhari).
Umar Ibn Al Khattab also narrated that the Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) said:
"Moses (PBUH) 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: "Who are you?" Moses 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 (PBUH) said twice.
"Adam outclassed Moses." (Sahih al Bukhari).
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 'Dihna' between Mecca and taif." AL Hassan said that
Adam descended in India and Eve in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Iblis
Bodistiman (Iraq), and the serpent in Ashahan (Iran). This last was also
reported by Ibn Hatim.
Ass'ady related that Adam descended with the Black Stone (a
large black stone set into the wall of the ka'ba in Mecca. It is said to
have come from Paradise) in India, and he had a handful of the seeds of
Paradise. He sowed them in India and they grew into the fragrant tree
therein.
Ibn Umar said that Adam descended on As-Safa and Eve on Al
Marwa ( names of two mountains in the vicinity of the sacred house in
Mecca. Part of the rites of pilgrimage (hajj) includes pacing between
these two hills in commemoration of H's search for water). This was also
reported by Ibn Hatim. Abdul Razzaq 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 the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "The best of days on which the sun has risen is
Friday. One this day Adam was created, and on this day he was descended
to earth." (al Bukhari)
Adam knew he bade farewell to peace and 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 and 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 allowed
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 and 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 pinnacle of earthly bliss was reached when Adam and Eve
witnessed the birth of their 1st 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.
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.
It appears that since the beginning of time, physical beauty
has been a factor in the attraction between man 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 had 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.
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
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 the deeds
only from those who serve and fear Him, not from those who reject His
Commands."
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 1st death and the 1st 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 or his protector. From these words his father
understood that Abel was dead and Adam was filled with grief.
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 1st burial of man.
Allah the Almighty revealed:
And (O Muhammad) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons
of Adam (Abel and Cain) 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
Alameen (mankind, jinn, and all that exists). Verily I intend to let you
draw my sin onyourself as well as yours then you will be one of the
dwellers of the Fire, and that is the recompense of the Zalimeen
(polytheists, and wrongdoers)."
So the 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.
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.
(Ch 5:27-31).
Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masud and a group of the companions of the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) 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 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 worst grain. 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 Ja'afar 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 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 and thus killing him. In another version
it was said that he killed him with a rock to the head while he was
sleeping.
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.
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 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 floor that would come.
Abu Dhar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Allah sent down 104 psalms, of which 50 were sent
down to Seth."
Abdullah Ibn Al Iman Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated that Ubai Ibn
Kab said: "When Adam's death was near, he said to his children: "O 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: "O 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: 'O 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 sent 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.
After Adam's death, his soth Seth (Shiith) took over the
responsibilities of prophethood, according to a hadith narrated by Abu
Dhar. Abu Dhar narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Allah sent
down one hundred and four psalms, of which fifty were sent down to
Seth." (Sahih al Bukhari) When the time of his death came Seth's son
Anoush succeeded him. He in turn, was succeeded by his son Qinan, 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 ov er by his son Yard, who on his death,
bequeathed them to his son Khonoukh, who is Idris (pbuh) according to
the majority of the scholars.
Courtesy: Islam Awareness Homepage