Religion assignment(Written Reflection)

The Story of Creation: Adam According to the Qur’an

Courtesy of Dr. Jusuf Salih

The story of creation of the first man, Adam and his wife Eve, attracted all people of all faiths. These are some notes regarding this topic according to the Qur’an.

The Qur’an describes this event:

“Behold thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said "Wilt thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not..” (2:30)

Adam and Eve:

“It is He who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord (saying): "if Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful." (7:189)

“This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be" and he was. “ (3:59)

Trouble in Paradise

Adam and Hawwa (Eve), abode in paradise until being deceived by Iblis [devil]) and disobediently eating of the tree which had been forbidden to them.

Qur'an , Chapter 7:11-27:

“It is We who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrated, not so Iblis; he refused to be of those who bow down. (11) 

(Allah) said: "what prevented thee from bowing down when I commanded thee?" He said: "I am better than he: thou didst create me from fire, and him from clay." (12) 

(Allah) said: "Get thee down from this: it is not for thee to be arrogant here: get out, for thou art of the meanest (of creatures)." (13) 

He said: "Give me respite till the day they are raised up." (14) 

(Allah) said: "Be thou amongst those who have respite." (15) 

He said: "Because thou hast thrown me out of the Way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on Thy straight Way. (16) 

"Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: nor wilt Thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for Thy mercies). (17) 

(Allah) said: "Get out from this, disgraced and expelled. If any of them follow thee Hell will I fill with you all. (18) 

O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." (19) 

Then began satan to whisper suggestions to them, in order to reveal to them their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said "Your Lord only forbade you this tree lest ye should become angels or such beings as live forever." (20)

And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser. (21) 

So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that satan was an avowed enemy unto you?" (22) 

They said: "our Lord! we have wronged our own souls: if Thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy we shall certainly be lost." (23) 

(Allah) said: "Get ye down, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood― for a time." (24) 

He said: "therein shall ye live and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)." (25)

O ye children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you, But the raiment of righteousness,― that is the best. Such are among the signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition! (26)

O ye Children of Adam! let not satan seduce you in the same manner as he got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the Evil ones friends (only) to those without Faith.” (27)

Original Sin

Adam and Eve were forgiven by God. Muslims believe they were not born into "original sin", but everybody is responsible for his/her actions.

Qur’an: 20:121-124

“In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced. (121) 

But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him guidance. (122) 

He said: "Get ye down both of you― all together from the Garden, with enmity one to another; but if, as is sure there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, will not lose his way nor fall into misery. (123) 

"But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment." (124) 

Quran: 53:38-41)

“Namely, that no bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another; (38) 

That man can have nothing but what he strives for; (39) 

That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight; (40) 

Then will he be rewarded with a reward complete; (41) 

Qur'an, 20:115-123

We had already beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and We found on his part no firm resolve. (115)

When We said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves to Adam" they prostrated themselves, but not Iblis: he refused. (116)

Then We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to thee and thy wife: so let him not get you both out of the Garden so that thou art landed in misery. (117) 

"There is therein (enough provision) for thee not to go hungry nor to go naked" (118) 

"Nor to suffer from thirst nor from the sun's heat." (119) 

But Satan whispered evil to him: he said "O Adam! shall I lead thee to Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?" (120) 

In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced. (121) 

But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him guidance. (122) 

He said: "Get ye down both of you― all together from the Garden, with enmity one to another; but if, as is sure there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, will not lose his way nor fall into misery. (123) 

Qur'an, 2:30-38

Behold thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said "Wilt thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not." (30) 

And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He placed them before the angels and said: "Tell Me the names of these if ye are right." (31) 

They said: "Glory to Thee: of knowledge we have none, save that Thou hast taught us: in truth it is Thou who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom." (32) 

He said: "O Adam! tell them their names." When he had told them their names, Allah said: "Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal?" (33) 

And behold We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam"; and they bowed down: not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith. (34) 

We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." (35) 

Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden) and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. We said: "Get ye down all (ye people) with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time." (36) 

Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration and his Lord turned toward him; for He is Oft-Returning Most Merciful. (37) 

We said: "Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from Me" whosoever follows My guidance on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (38)

Cain and Abel in the Qur'an

Qur’an 5:27-32

Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! They each presented a sacrifice (to Allah): it was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely" said the former, "Allah doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous. (27) 

"If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds. (28) 

"For me, I intend to let thee draw on thyself my sin as well as thine, for thou wilt be among the companions of the Fire and that is the reward of those who do wrong." (29) 

The (selfish) soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered him and became (himself) one of the lost ones. (30) 

Then Allah sent a raven, who scratched the ground, to show him how to hide the shame of his brother. "Woe is me!" said he: "Was I not even, able to be as this raven and to hide the shame of my brother?" Then he became full of regrets.― (31) 

On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person―unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land― it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our Messengers with clear Signs, yet even after that many of them continued to commit excesses in the land. (32) 

The Garden of Adam and Eve

According to Islamic Tradition, Adam’s wife is known by the Arabic name Hawa (Eve), although this name does not appear anywhere in the Holy Qur'an. The Holy Qur'an confirms that Hawa was created out of Adam but is silent on the detailed procedure used in her creation. It states:

“O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;― fear Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.` (4: 1) 

“He created you (all) from a single person: then created, of like nature, his mate; and He sent down for you eight head of cattle in pairs: He makes you, in the wombs of your mothers, in stages, one after another in three veils of darkness. Such is Allah your Lord and Cherisher: to Him belongs (all) dominion. There is no god but He: then how are ye turned away (from your true Center)? (39: 6) 

“This similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be" and he was. (3: 59) 

(Qur’an 76:1-3).

“Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing--(not even) mentioned?― (1) 

Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight. (2) 

We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will). (3)

Qur'an does not say that Hawa was created from Adam's rib, but says that she was made "of like nature" to him.

Qur'an, 23:12-14)

Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay); (12) 

Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest firmly fixed; (13) 

Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature: so blessed be Allah, the Best to create! (14)

We have indeed created man in the best of moulds, (95: 4) 

Qur’an 15: 26-34

We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape; (26)

And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind. (27)

Behold! Thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud moulded into shape; (28)

"When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him." (29) 

So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together: (30) 

Not so Iblis: he refused to be among those who prostrated themselves. (31) 

(Allah) said: "O Iblis! what is your reason for not being among those who prostrated themselves?" (32) 

(Iblis) said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to man, whom, thou didst create from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape." (33) 

(Allah) said: "Then get thee out from here; for thou art rejected, accursed. (34) 

Qur’an 2:35-39

We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." (35) 

Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden) and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. We said: "Get ye down all (ye people) with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time." (36) 

Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration and his Lord turned toward him; for He is Oft-Returning Most Merciful. (37) 

We said: "Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you guidance from Me" whosoever follows My guidance on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (38)

Qur’an 7: 19-27

O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." (19) 

Then began satan to whisper suggestions to them, in order to reveal to them their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said "Your Lord only forbade you this tree lest ye should become angels or such beings as live forever." (20) 

And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser. (21) 

So by deceit he brought about their fall: when they tasted of the tree, their shame became manifest to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden over their bodies. And their Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you that satan was an avowed enemy unto you?" (22) 

They said: "our Lord! we have wronged our own souls: if Thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy we shall certainly be lost." (23) 

(Allah) said: "Get ye down, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood― for a time." (24) 

He said: "therein shall ye live and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)." (25) 

O ye children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you, But the raiment of righteousness,― that is the best. Such are among the signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition! (26) 

O ye Children of Adam! let not satan seduce you in the same manner as he got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their raiment, to expose their shame: for he and his tribe watch you from a position where ye cannot see them: We made the Evil ones friends (only) to those without Faith. (27) 

Qur’an 20: 115-123

We had already beforehand, taken the covenant of Adam, but he forgot: and We found on his part no firm resolve. (115)

When We said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves to Adam" they prostrated themselves, but not Iblis: he refused. (116)

Then We said: "O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to thee and thy wife: so let him not get you both out of the Garden so that thou art landed in misery. (117)

"There is therein (enough provision) for thee not to go hungry nor to go naked" (118)

"Nor to suffer from thirst nor from the sun's heat." (119)

But Satan whispered evil to him: he said "O Adam! shall I lead thee to Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?" (120) 

In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced. (121) 

But his Lord chose him (for His Grace): He turned to him, and gave him guidance. (122)

He said: "Get ye down both of you― all together from the Garden, with enmity one to another; but if, as is sure there comes to you guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, will not lose his way nor fall into misery. (123)

Qur’an 2: 31-38

And He taught Adam all the names, then showed them to the angels, saying: Inform Me of the names of these, if ye are truthful. (31)

They said: Be glorified! We have no knowledge saving that which Thou hast taught us. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower, the Wise. (32)

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 secret of the heavens and the earth? And I know that which ye disclose and which ye hide. (33)

And when We said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam, they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He demurred through pride, and so became a disbeliever. (34)

And We said: O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and eat ye freely (of the fruits) thereof where ye will; but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers. (35)

But Satan caused them to deflect therefrom and expelled them from the (happy) state in which they were; and We said: Fall down, one of you a foe unto the other! There shall be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a time. (36)

Then Adam received from his Lord words (of revelation), and He relented toward him. Lo! He is the relenting, the Merciful. (37)

We said: Go down, all of you, from hence; but verily there cometh unto you from Me a guidance; and whoso followeth My guidance, there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. (38)

Qur’an: 3:33-34

Lo! Allah preferred Adam and Noah and the Family of Abraham and the Family of 'Imran above (all His) creatures. (33) They were descendants one of another. Allah is Hearer, Knower. (34)

Qur’an: 5:27-32

But recite unto them with truth the tale of the two sons of Adam, how they offered each a sacrifice, and it was accepted from the one of them and it was not accepted from the other. (The one) said: I will surely kill thee. (The other) answered: Allah accepteth only from those who ward off (evil). (27)

Even if thou stretch out thy hand against me to kill me, I shall not stretch out my hand against thee to kill thee, lo! I fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. (28)

Lo! I would rather thou shouldst bear the punishment of the sin against me and thine own sin and become one of the owners of the fire. That is the reward of evil-doers. (29)

But (the other's) mind imposed on him the killing of his brother, so he slew him and became one of the losers. (30)

Then Allah sent a raven scratching up the ground, to show him how to hide his brother's naked corpse. He said: Woe unto me! Am I not able to be as this raven and so hide my brother's naked corpse? And he became repentant. (31)

For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth. (32)

Qur’an: 7: 19-27

And (unto man): O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat from whence ye will, but come not nigh this tree lest ye become wrong-doers. (19)

Then Satan whispered to them that he might manifest unto them that which was hidden from them of their shame, and he said: Your Lord forbade you from this tree only lest ye should become angels or become of the immortals. (20)

And he swore unto them (saying): Lo! I am a sincere adviser unto you. (21)

Thus did he lead them on with guile. And when they tasted of the tree their shame was manifest to them and they began to hide (by heaping) on themselves some of the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called them, (saying): Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you: Lo! Satan is an open enemy to you? (22)

They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! (23)

He said: Go down (from hence), one of you a foe unto the other. There will be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a while. (24)

He said: There shall ye live, and there shall ye die, and thence shall ye be brought forth. (25)

O Children of Adam! We have revealed unto you raiment to conceal your shame, and splendid vesture, but the raiment of restraint from evil, that is best. This is of the revelations of Allah, that they may remember. (26)

O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that he might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not. (27)

Qur’an: 17:61-64

Behold! We said to the angels: "Bow down unto Adam": they bowed down except Iblis: he said "Shall I bow down to one whom Thou didst create from clay?" (61)

He said "Seest Thou? This is the one whom thou hast honoured above me! If Thou wilt but respite me to the Day of Judgment, I will surely bring his descendants under my sway all but a few!" (62) Allah said: "Go thy way; if any of them follow thee, verily Hell will be the recompense of you (all)― an ample recompense. (63)

"Lead to destruction those whom thou canst among them, with thy (seductive) voice; make assaults on them with thy cavalry and thy infantry; mutually share with them wealth and children; and make promises to them. But Satan promises them nothing but deceit. (64)

Qur’an: 17:70

We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of Our Creation. (70)

Qur’an: 18:50-51

Behold! We said to the angels "Bow down to Adam": they bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrongdoers! (50)

I called them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor (even) their own creation: nor is it for Me to take as helpers such as lead (men) astray! (51)

Qur’an: 19:58

Those were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace― of the posterity of Adam, and of those whom We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel― of those whom We guided and chose; whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears. (58)

· Angels to prostrate before: 2:34, 7:11

And behold We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam"; and they bowed down: not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith. (2: 34)

It is We who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrated, not so Iblis; he refused to be of those who bow down. (7: 11)

· Tree of knowledge: 2:35, 7:19, 20:120-121

We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." (2:35)

O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." (7: 19)

But Satan whispered evil to him: he said "O Adam! shall I lead thee to Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that never decays?" (20:120) In the result, they both ate of the tree, and so their nakedness appeared to them: they began to sew together, for their covering, leaves from the Garden: thus did Adam disobey his Lord, and allow himself to be seduced. (20:121)

· Deportation from Garden: 2:36, 7:24

Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden) and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. We said: "Get ye down all (ye people) with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling place and your means of livelihood for a time." (2:36)

(Allah) said: "Get ye down, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood― for a time." (7:24)

He Who has made everything which He has created most Good. He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay (7) And made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised: (8) But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give! (32:7-9)

It is He who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord (saying): "if Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful." (189) But when He giveth them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share in the gift they have received: but Allah is exalted high above the partners they ascribe to Him. (7:189-190)

The similitude of Jesus before God is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be". And he was. (5:27)

Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! they each presented a sacrifice (to God): It was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely," said the former, "God doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous. (7:11)

Qur’an: 38: 72-85 Breathed by Sprit of God

"When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him." (72)

So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together; (73)

Not so Iblis: he was haughty, and became one of those who reject Faith. (74)

(Allah) said: "O Iblis! what prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with My hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?" (75)

(Iblis) said: "I am better than he: Thou createdst me from fire, and him Thou createdst from clay." (76) (Allah) said: "Then get thee out from here: for thou art rejected, accursed. (77)

"And My Curse shall be on thee till the Day of Judgement." (78)

(Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are raised." (79)

(Allah) said: "Respite then is granted thee― (80)

"Till the Day of the Time Appointed." (81)

(Iblis) said: "Then by Thy power, I will put them all in the wrong― (82)

"Except Thy Servants amongst them, sincere and purified (by Thy grace)." (83)

(Allah) said: "Then it is just and fitting― and I say what is just and fitting― (84) "That I will certainly fill Hell with thee and those that follow thee--every one." (85)