Alsalamu Alikum AlBustan Families
Hope you are all doing great enjoying the nice weather.
This post is from brother Abu Omar.Jazaka Allah kheer.
Informing the Angels About Adam: 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. 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.