Prophet Adam (AS) and Iblis

Prophet Adam (AS) and Iblis

In the heavens, the angels were busy with praise and worship, but there was a growing sense of anticipation. Eventually, Allah’s command was heard: "I am going to place a vicegerent (representative) on Earth." The angels were curious and asked, "Why will You create someone who will cause disorder and bloodshed on Earth? We praise You and declare Your purity." Allah replied, "I know what you do not know" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30).

Allah commanded Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) to collect soil from different parts of the Earth. According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Prophet Adam (AS) was created from this soil, which is why his descendants are of different colors and languages (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi). After his creation, Prophet Adam (AS) sneezed, and the first words he spoke were "Alhamdulillah" (All praise belongs to Allah). Allah then blessed him with mercy (Ibn Hibban).

Allah granted Adam (AS) four special honors:

1. He was created by Allah’s own hands.

2. A soul was breathed into him.

3. The angels were commanded to bow to him.

4. He was given knowledge of the names of all things.

Allah then asked the angels to name the things He had taught Adam (AS), but they admitted, "We only know what You have taught us." When Adam (AS) named everything, Allah reminded the angels that He knew both the visible and hidden aspects of everything.

All the angels were commanded to bow to Adam (AS) as a sign of respect. Everyone obeyed except Iblis, who refused out of arrogance, claiming superiority because he was made from fire while Adam (AS) was made from clay. Allah expelled Iblis from Paradise for his disobedience. Iblis then vowed to mislead humanity from all directions. Allah warned that those who follow Iblis would join him in Hell (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:11-18).

Iblis and Satan are different names for the same being, whose mission is to mislead humans and cause them to disobey Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Angels were created from light, Adam (AS) from clay, and Iblis from fire." According to Abdullah ibn Umar (RA), the jinn lived on Earth 2,000 years before Adam (AS) and caused chaos. A group of angels was sent to defeat them, and many jinn were killed or driven to remote areas. Iblis, who was still young, was taken to the heavens, where he worshipped Allah and gained knowledge, earning the title "Teacher of the Heavens."

Ibn Abbas (RA) stated that Iblis’s original name was "Azazil," and he became the leader of the angels before his rebellion. However, Surah Al-Kahf (18:50) confirms that Iblis was not an angel but a jinn. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said, "Satan flows through the human body like blood." Although Satan can whisper evil thoughts, he cannot force anyone to sin. His whispers are part of the test of human life, and it is up to each individual to resist and stay on the right path.

In Paradise, all comforts and blessings were present, yet Hazrat Adam (AS) felt lonely. To ease his loneliness, Allah created Hazrat Hawwa (AS). According to Muhammad bin Ishaq, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that Hazrat Hawwa (AS) was created from Hazrat Adam’s (AS) left rib while he was asleep. Allah then instructed them to live in Paradise and eat freely from anywhere except for one specific tree, warning that approaching it would make them wrongdoers (Surah Al-Baqarah: 35). They lived happily in Paradise for a long time, possibly 60 or 100 years, with only one restriction.

However, Iblis (Satan), their open enemy, wanted them to disobey Allah. He whispered to them, suggesting that eating from the forbidden tree would make them angels or grant eternal life. Eventually, Hazrat Hawwa (AS) became curious and convinced Hazrat Adam (AS) to taste the fruit. As soon as they ate, their private parts became exposed, and they covered themselves with leaves. Allah questioned them: "Did I not forbid you from this tree and warn you of Satan?" Filled with regret, they repented and prayed for forgiveness (Surah Al-A’raf: 23).

Allah forgave them but decreed they would now live on Earth. Hazrat Adam (AS) was sent to India, Hazrat Hawwa (AS) to Jeddah, and Iblis to a location near Basra. After a long separation, Allah reunited Hazrat Adam (AS) and Hazrat Hawwa (AS) at Mount Arafat. They had many children, and each time Hazrat Hawwa (AS) gave birth to a son and daughter. Hazrat Adam (AS) arranged marriages between children from different sets. However, their son Qabil (Cain) wanted to marry his own sister and, after his offering to Allah was rejected in favor of his brother Habil (Abel), he killed Habil out of jealousy.

Qabil didn’t know what to do with the body until a crow showed him how to bury it (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 31). Overcome with regret, he buried his brother.

When Hazrat Adam (AS) passed away at the age of 960, angels came to take his soul. They bathed, perfumed, and buried him, and Hazrat Jibreel (AS) taught his son Hazrat Shees (AS) how to offer the funeral prayer.

During the Miraj (ascension to heaven), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) saw Hazrat Adam (AS) on the first heaven. When Adam (AS) looked at the souls of the righteous on his right, he smiled; when he saw the souls of wrongdoers on his left, he cried.

Hazrat Umar (RA) narrated that when Hazrat Adam (AS) made a mistake, he asked Allah for forgiveness through the intercession of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whose name he saw written on the Throne of Allah. Allah forgave him, stating that Muhammad (PBUH) is the most beloved to Him, and if it weren’t for Muhammad (PBUH), He would not have created Adam (AS) (Ibn Kathir).