Adam (AS)

The Creation and Early Life

The Decree and Creation

Allah (SWT) decreed that He would place a khalifah on Earth, and Adam (AS) was chosen to be that khalifah, the first of mankind. Allah (SWT) created Adam (AS) from clay, shaping him meticulously. After shaping Adam (AS), Allah (SWT) breathed His spirit into him, granting him life and distinguishing him with a special status.

"Remember, O Prophet, when your Lord said to the angels, 'I am going to create a human being from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him a spirit of My Own creation, fall down in prostration to him.'" Quran 38:71-72

The Angels' Concern

When Allah (SWT) announced His intention to create a khalifah, the angels expressed concern about potential corruption and bloodshed from this new creation. Allah (SWT) responded by affirming His greater knowledge and wisdom.

˹Remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive ˹human˺ authority on earth.” They asked ˹Allah˺, “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and proclaim Your holiness?” Allah responded, “I know what you do not know.” Quran 2:30

The Demonstration of Adam (AS) Knowledge

Allah (SWT) taught Adam (AS) the names of all things and presented them to the angels. When the angels could not name them, it highlighted Adam (AS) unique knowledge and status.

"He taught Adam the names of all things, then He presented them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if what you say is true?” They replied, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. You are truly the All-Knowing, All-Wise.” Allah said, “O Adam! Inform them of their names.” Then when Adam did, Allah said, “Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you conceal?” " Quran 2:31-33

The Command to Prostrate

Allah SWT commanded all the angels to prostrate to Adam (AS) in recognition of his special status. The angels, being beings who cannot disobey Allah (SWT) commands, all obeyed, However, Iblis, who was a jinn, refused to prostrate. Unlike the angels, jinn have free will and can choose to obey or disobey Allah (SWT).

Iblis’s refusal was driven by arrogance and pride. He claimed superiority over Adam (AS) because he was created from fire, while Adam (AS) was created from clay. This arrogance led Iblis to reject Allah (SWT) command.

"And ˹remember˺ when We said to the angels, “Prostrate before Adam,” so they all did—but not Iblîs, who refused and acted arrogantly, becoming unfaithful." Quran 2:34

Iblis's Disobedience

Iblis was cast out of Paradise and became Shaitan. He vowed to mislead Adam (AS) and his descendants from the right path until the Day of Judgment.

"Allah commanded, “Then get out of Paradise, for you are truly cursed. And surely upon you is My condemnation until the Day of Judgment." Quran 38:77-78

Filled with arrogance and envy, Iblis promised to lead humanity astray, exploiting their weaknesses and desires. He said:

"Satan responded, “My Lord! For allowing me to stray I will surely tempt them on earth and mislead them all together, except Your chosen servants among them.” Allah said, “This is the Way, binding on Me: 'you will certainly have no authority over My servants, except the deviant who follow you, and surely Hell is their destined place, all together." Quran 15:39-43

This declaration reveals Iblis's intent to attack humans from all directions, making it difficult for them to remain on the straight path of righteousness. His aim is to create doubt, incite wrongdoing, and distract people from their devotion to Allah (SWT).

Despite Shaitan's relentless efforts to lead people astray, Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, promised to forgive those who sincerely seek His forgiveness and strive to remain righteous:

"Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" Quran 39:53

The Test in Paradise

Adam (AS) and his wife Hawwa (AS) were placed in Paradise, a place of unimaginable beauty and blessings. They were given freedom to enjoy all its bounties, with only one command: not to eat from a specific tree. Allah (SWT) warned them about Shaitan's enmity and his desire to lead them astray.

"We cautioned, “O Adam! Live with your wife in Paradise and eat as freely as you please, but do not approach this tree, or else you will be wrongdoers.” '" Quran 2:35

However, Shaitan was determined to mislead them. He whispered to Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS), enticing them with false promises. Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS) had never encountered lies or deceit before, and when Shaitan swore by Allah, they believed him.

"But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, “Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal.” And he swore [by Allah] to them, “Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors.” '" Quran 7:20-21

Succumbing to Shaitan's temptation, Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS) ate from the forbidden tree. As a result, they became aware of their nakedness and began to cover themselves with leaves from the Garden. This act of disobedience led to their immediate realization of their mistake and their fall from grace.

"So he brought about their fall through deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their nakedness was exposed to them, prompting them to cover themselves with leaves from Paradise. Then their Lord called out to them, “Did I not forbid you from that tree and ˹did I not˺ tell you that Satan is your sworn enemy?”'" Quran 7:22

As a consequence of their disobedience, Allah (SWT) decreed their descent to Earth. They were no longer in the state of ease and abundance that Paradise offered.

"But Satan deceived them—leading to their fall from the ˹blissful˺ state they were in, and We said, “Descend from the heavens ˹to the earth˺ as enemies to each other. You will find in the earth a residence and provision for your appointed stay.”" Quran 2:36

The Repentance of Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS)

Realizing their grave mistake, Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS) felt deep remorse. They turned to Allah (SWT) in sincere repentance, seeking His forgiveness. Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS) said:

"They replied, “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be losers.” " Quran 7:23

Allah (SWT), in His infinite mercy, accepted their repentance and forgave them. However, their earthly life was now a reality, and they were to live on Earth and face its trials.

"Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful." Quran 2:37

Adam (AS) on Earth

The Life and Mission on Earth

After their descent from Paradise, Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS) began their new life on Earth. They were tasked with living righteously and establishing a way of life based on the guidance provided by Allah (SWT). As the first human beings, their role was crucial in setting the foundations for human society. Allah (SWT) appointed Adam (AS) as the first prophet to guide his descendants in worship and righteous living.

"And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference." Quran 17:70

Adam (AS) was entrusted with the responsibility of teaching his children about Allah (SWT), the principles of justice, and the consequences of sin. His mission was to help humanity navigate the trials of life while remaining steadfast in their faith.

The Children of Adam (AS)

Adam (AS) and Hawwa (AS) had many children, including two notable sons, Qabil (Cain) and Habil (Abel). Their story highlights early human experiences and the moral lessons to be learned.

The two sons were instructed to offer sacrifices to Allah (SWT). Habil, being pious and sincere, offered the best of his flock. Qabil, however, offered inferior produce, driven by greed and lack of devotion.

"And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], “I will surely kill you.” Said [the former], “Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].'" Quran 5:27

Consumed by jealousy, Qabil eventually killed his brother Habil, marking the first murder in human history. The severity of this act serves as a profound lesson about the destructive nature of envy and the importance of righteousness.

"Then Allah sent a crow searching [i.e., scratching] in the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace of his brother. He said, 'Oh, woe to me! Have I failed to be like this crow and hide the disgrace [i.e., body] of my brother?' And he became of the regretful." Quran 5:31

The Death of Adam (AS)

Adam (AS) lived a long and impactful life, fulfilling his role as the first prophet and the father of humanity. His life was marked by his guidance to his descendants and his role in establishing the foundational principles of human society. His passing was a significant event, signaling the end of an era and introducing important practices for humanity.

As Adam (AS) approached the end of his life, Allah (SWT) provided guidance on how to handle his body, establishing practices for the respectful treatment of the deceased. This guidance was delivered through the actions of the angels, who demonstrated the essential practices of burial.

Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When Adam died, the angels washed his body with water an odd number of times, dug him a grave, and said: 'This is the tradition for Adam's children.'" [Sahih/Authentic] [Al-Haakim]

This Hadith highlights that the foundational practices for preparing a body for burial were established with Adam (AS). The angels performed the washing of the deceased body in an odd number of times, a practice that continues to be observed in Islamic funeral rites.