ٍSummary of the story of Prophet Adam (Alayhi asalam)
The story of Prophet Adam (A.S), as mentioned in the Quran, begins with his creation by Allah (SWT). Adam was the first man and he was accompanied by his wife, Hawwa (Eve). Adam lived for around 1000 years after his creation. The children of Adam and Eve were born as twins, with a baby boy and girl born together.
Allah (SWT) informed the angels about the creation of Adam as a human who would serve as His vicegerent on earth. The angels raised concerns about the possibility of this creation causing disorder and shedding blood. However, Allah (SWT) assured them that He knows what they do not know and that the creation of human beings would have great benefits, including the presence of prophets and messengers among them.
Prophet Adam (A.S) was created directly by Allah (SWT) from clay and his soul was blown into him by Allah (SWT) Himself. He was also given knowledge and understanding of all things, which was demonstrated when Allah (SWT) asked the angels to inform Him of the names of various things, and Adam was able to do so. This knowledge bestowed upon Adam established his superiority over the angels.
Allah (SWT) commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam, but Iblis (Satan) refused out of arrogance and disbelief. This act of disobedience was the first ever committed by any of Allah (SWT)’s creatures, leading to Satan being expelled from heaven. After Adam entered Paradise, Allah (SWT) created Hawwa (Eve) to accompany him and fulfill his natural needs to develop offspring. However, they were forbidden from approaching a certain tree in Paradise. Satan deceived them and whispered to them about the tree’s fruits, leading to their ultimate disobedience of Allah (SWT)’s command and eating from the forbidden tree. Upon realizing their mistake, Adam and Hawwa repented and sought forgiveness from Allah (SWT). Adam was very tall, with some sources mentioning a height of 60 cubits (about 40 meters), but it is believed that his height was adjusted to fit the standards of Earth when he and Eve were sent to the Earth.
The Holy Quran is a treasure trove of wisdom, guidance, and enlightenment, richly filled with lessons and stories of the countless Prophets sent by Allah s.w.t as beacons of light to guide humanity. Among the Prophets, the story of Adam (a.s) holds a significant position, as he is the first of all human beings and the father of mankind. Let us humbly explore some of the verses narrating the story of Prophet Adam (a.s), seeking illumination and solace from the teachings of the Merciful, All-Knowing Creator.
Verses of Quran that Mention The Story of Prophet Adam
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30-31
“وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ”
“Wa iz qala rabbuka lil-malaikati innee ja’ilun fee al-ardi khalifatan qaloo ataj’alufeeha man yufsidu feeha wayasfiku addimaa wanahnu nusabbiho bihamdikawanuqaddisu laka qalainnee a’lamu ma la ta’lamoon.”
“And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I am going to create a deputy on the earth!’ They said, ‘Will You create there one who will cause disorder and shed blood, while we, along with Your praises, proclaim Your purity?’ He said, ‘Indeed, I know what you do not know.'”
Explanation:
In these verses, Allah s.w.t informs the angels of His intention to create Adam (a.s) and place him as His vicegerent on earth. The angels, in their sincerity, express their concerns but ultimately submit to the divine wisdom of Allah, who knows what they do not.
Surah Al-Hijr 15:28-29
“وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي خَالِقٌ بَشَرًا مِّن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ”
“فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِي فَقَعُوا لَهُ سَاجِدِينَ”
“Wa iz qala rabbuki lil-malaikati innee khaliqu basharan min salsalin min hama-in masnoonin.”
“And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I am creating a human being from dry ringing clay, formed from black mud.'”
“Fa-itha sawwaytuhu wanafakhtu feehi min roohee faqa’oo lahu sajideen.”
“So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down in prostration to him.”
Explanation:
These verses reveal the elements Allah s.w.t used to create Adam (a.s) and how He asked the angels to prostrate before the first human being, acknowledging the divine purpose and value with which mankind was endowed by its Creator.
Surah Al-A’raf 7:11-12
“وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ”
“قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ”
“Wa laqad khalaqnakum thumma sawwarnakum thumma qulna lil-mala’ikati osjudoo li-adama fasajadoo illa ibleesa lam yakun mina as-sajideen.”
“And certainly, We created you, then We fashioned you; then We told the angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam.’ So they prostrated, except for Iblis; he was not among those who prostrated.”
“Qala ma mana’aka alla tasjuda ith amartuka. Qala ana khayrun minhu khalaqtanee min narin wah khalaqtahu min teenin.”
“Allah] said, ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?’ [Iblis] said, ‘I am better than him, You created me from fire and created him from clay.'”
Explanation:
In these verses, we learn about the creation of mankind and the incident where Allah s.w.t. ordered the angels to prostrate before Adam (a.s). Iblis, in his arrogance, refused to obey Allah’s command, arguing that he was superior to Adam (a.s) due to his fiery origin. This disobedience ultimately led to Iblis becoming the accursed and a symbol of rejection and deviation from Allah’s righteous path.
Surah Taha 20:115-121
“وَلَقَدْ عَهِدْنَا إِلَى آدَمَ مِن قَبْلُ فَنَسِيَ وَلَمْ نَجِدلَهُ عَزْمًا”
“Wa laqad AAahidna ila adama min qablu fanasiya walam najid lahuAAazmán.”
“And We had already taken a promise from Adam before, but he forgot; and We found not in him determination.”
Explanation:
These verses discuss the instruction that Allah s.w.t. gave to Adam (a.s) regarding the prohibition to approach the specific tree. However, as mentioned in the verse, Adam (a.s) forgot and did not show determination regarding this directive. The story highlights the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allah s.w.t. when we fall short and the virtue of sincere repentance.
May these divine verses deepen our understanding of the origins of humankind and the virtues of humility, obedience, and repentance. May our hearts always yearn for the knowledge and wisdom Allah s.w.t. has lovingly granted us through the Holy Quran, as we strive to follow the footsteps of the righteous and remain steadfast in our faith during times of challenge and ease.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:35-36
“وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ”
“فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ”
“Wa qulna ya adama oskun anta wazawjuka aljannata wakula minha raghadan haythu shituma wala taqraba hathihi alshshajara fatakoona mina alththalimeen.”
“And We said, ‘O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.'”
“Faazallahoma ashshaytanu anha faakhrajahoma mimma kana feehi waqulna ihbitoo baAAdokum libaAAdin AAadoon walakum fee al-ardi mustaqarrun wamataAAun ila heenin.”
“But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, ‘Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.'”
Explanation:
In these verses Allah (s.w.t) elucidates on the command He gave to Adam (a.s) and his spouse: they could live in Paradise and eat freely from it but were forbidden to approach a specific tree. However, Satan, always eager to lead mankind astray, caused them to deviate from Allah’s command. Consequently, Allah (s.w.t) told them to descend to earth, wherein they would live, and some would be enemies to others.
Surah Al-A’raf 7:23
“قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ”
“Qa^laAa rabbana thalamna anfusana wa-in lam taghfir lana watrhamna lanakoonanna mina alkhasireen.”
“They said, ‘Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.'”
Explanation: In this beautiful and humble plea, Prophet Adam (a.s) and his wife acknowledge their transgression, show profound remorse for their actions, and implore Allah s.w.t. for His mercy and forgiveness. Their plea demonstrates an essential aspect of approaching Allah s.w.t.; that is, to approach Him with a humble heart, acknowledging our imperfections and counting on His boundless compassion and forgiveness.
This powerful verse encourages us to stay humble, recognizing our weakness and fallibility, and to constantly seek the mercy and forgiveness of Allah s.w.t. It also serves as a heartfelt reminder that in moments of transgression and error, turning towards Allah s.w.t., our Creator, with sincerity and remorse, can lead us back on the path of righteousness.
There are numerous other instances in the Holy Quran that narrate various aspects of Adam’s (a.s) story. However, in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding, we should remember that it is not merely for expanding our intellect, but rather for strengthening our hearts, increasing our faith, and guiding us in our servitude to Allah s.w.t. May the lessons from the story of Prophet Adam (a.s) inspire us to reflect upon our purpose as vicegerents on earth and remind us of the importance of obedience to Allah swt, rekindling the light of faith and devotion within our hearts.