Promises from the Prophets
See also: Adam in the Bible »
OUTLINE
Allah created Adem
The Quran says Allah created Adem in Jannah (Paradise) (Quran 2.29-36, Quran 7.27, Quran 15.26, Quran 20.117, Quran 38.71-72, Bukhari 3326). Adem was shaped by Allah's own hands from black clay (Quran 15.26, Quran 15.28, Quran 38.71, Tafsir Al-Jalalayn 55.14, Ibn Abbas 15.26). Adem was ninety feet tall and perfect in wisdom (Bukhari 3326, Bukhari 3327, Muslim 2834, Muslim 2834). Hawa (Eve) was created from his rib, and all humanity are his children (Quran 30.20, Quran 7.26-27, Quran 7.189; Al-Jalalayn 2.35, Al-Jalalayn 16.72, Al-Jalalayn 30.21; Ibn Kathir 7.172, Bukhari 3340, Bukhari 4476, Tirmidhi 47.3355).
People were made to worship in submission
People were made to worship in submission (Quran 31.22, Quran 43.64, Quran 3.51). Allah made people the foremost among his created beings, but Iblis (Shaytan) arrogantly refused to bow down to Adem. He was cast out of Jannah (Paradise) (Quran 2.30-39, Quran 15.26-43, Quran 20.116, Quran 38.71-81, Quran 7.11-13).
Adem wronged himself
He listened to the smooth words of Iblis (Shaytan) and ate from a forbidden tree (Quran 7.20-23). He and his wife Hawa realised they were naked and felt shame (Quran 7.20-23). They were cast out of Jannah (Paradise), for a time. Allah said, “Get down, all of you, from Paradise” (Quran 2.36-38, Quran 7.13, Quran 7.24, Quran 20.123).
Adem was told to 'get down' from Paradise
He was cast down, along with Hawa and Iblis (Quran 2.36-38, Quran 7.13, Quran 7.24). Adem prayed while he was on the earth, and Allah forgave his failure (Ibn Kathir 2.37). Yet Adem remained on the earth, outside of Paradise, along with all his offspring, for a time (Quran 2.36).
Allah made Adem successful
Adem and Hawa had many children, whom Allah created in pairs (Quran 5.27-30, Quran 36.36, Quran 78.8, Ibn Kathir 5.27-31, Jalalayn 35.11, Jalalayn 342.11, Al-Tabari, 1 (140), p.310). Adem was appointed as a prophet (Quran 19.58, Ibn Kathir 4.163-165, Bukhari 349). All his children were called forth by Allah to swear allegiance to Allah. They did not inherit Adem's punishment for sin (Quran 4.110, AbuDawud 4686, Jalalayn 33.7, Al-Tabari, 1 (157), p.328-329, 331, Bukhari 4775). Like Adem, they remain outside Paradise as part of Allah's plan (Quran 7.24). All Adem's children are subject to death, but can return to Paradise by listening to the guidance of Allah's prophets (Quran 41.43-46, Quran 3.84).
REFLECTION: WHAY ALLAH CREATED US
Allah created us to worship him. He expects our obedient submission.
Although all devout Muslims endeavour to worship and submit Allah with all their sincerity, none can claim that to have fully obeyed Allah. Even Adem sought forgiveness for his sin. He also experienced a serious consequence, being cast down to earth.
The Quran suggests that Allah promised to send revelations through his prophets to guide his people. This guidance would instruct us to walk in obedience and submit to Islamic monotheism. Unlike the Bible, the Quran does not suggest that shame, guilt and death come to us all as a result of human sin.
DISCUSSION POINTS
- Read Bukhari 6614. Does this authentic hadith reflect the prevailing view of Adem in Islam today?
- Does Adem's disobedience affect us, or not?
- Why did Allah send all of humanity away from Paradise?