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
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
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
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
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 (
(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 (
"And 0 Adam! Dwell you and your wife in
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
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
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
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
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.
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."
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
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
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 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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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 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
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
(
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.")
Ibn Abbas and a group of the companions of the
Prophet narrated that when Iblis was sent out of
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 this
The
Forbidden Tree
Adam and Eve were admitted to
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
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
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
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
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
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
Adam
and Eve's Decent from
They left
Allah the Almighty recounted this third lesson
Adam learned in
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
(Allah) said: "Get you down (upon the earth), both of you,
together (from
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
Some people believe that the reason why mankind
does not dwell in
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
Could it be said that Adam and the rest of mankind
were predestined to sin and to be expelled from
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
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
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
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
Assady related that Adam descended with the Black Stone1 in
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
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 knew he bade farewell to peace when he left
Above all, he had to struggle with the spirit of evil. Satan, the
cause of his expulsion from
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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
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 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 (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."
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
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.
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
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