New Page 1
?
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 remaineda 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.
continued on the next page
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 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 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.
Copyright © by Sahaba.net :: Stories of the Companions All Right Reserved.
