Indexed OCR Text

Makkah Mukarramah
3 Safar 1398 A.H.
40

Preface
The Qur'aan recounts the stories of the previous nations and clearly
distinguishes the truth from falsehood.
It is not a book for amusement and passing time.
The person who opposes it will be ruined and the one who searches for guidance
in another book will be misled.
The Qur'aan is the firm rope of Allaah
It is the Word of the Most Wise and leads to the straight path
Reciting it will not lead to misguidance, nor will it create any doubts
Men of knowledge are never satiated and will always want more from it
One can never tire from reciting it
It is the Book that forced the Jinn to declare, "Indeed we have heard a most
astounding Qur'aan that points towards righteousness so we believed in it"
"The person who speaks according to the Qur'aan will remain steadfast upon the
truth, whoever acts by it will be rewarded, whoever passes judgement by it shall
remain upon justice and whoever calls towards it will remain upon the straight
path."1
It is through the mercy of Allaah that He has not revealed to us a
military-style book containing a lengthy list of instructions and
prohibitions like a government law book even though He could well
have done so because of His profound power and might. However,
1 Tirmidhi.
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Allaah has given us a book of advices, guidance and lessons taught
with love and affection. Allaah says, "Undoubtedly We have made the Qur'aan
simple to take lesson from (to understand), so is there any who will take lessons?"2
The advices, lessons and propagation of the Qur'aan fall into one of the following
four categories:
1. Reminders of the bounties of Allaah
2. Reminders of the days of Allaah
3. Reminders of the Aayaat of Allaah
4. Reminders of what is to come after death
The details of these are as follows:
1. Reminders of the Bounties of Allah
Reminding people of the bounties that Allaah showers upon His creation day and
night provokes them into obeying Him in gratitude for all He blesses them with.
How can one ignore the Magnanimous Being Who gives one everything? Allaah
refers to this when He says, "Call to mind the bounties of Allaah so that you may be
successful".3
2. Reminders of the Days of Allah
This refers to references to previous nations, when their situations are detailed
as a lesson to others. By discussing this, future nations are encouraged to follow
their good and to be cautious about falling into the same wrongs they
perpetrated. Verse 5 of Surah Ibraheem states, "and remind them of the days of
Allaah".
2 Surah Qamar, verse 17.
3 Surah A'raaf, verses 69 & 74.
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The nations who obeyed Allaah and His chosen Ambiyaa pull attained success in
both worlds, while those who opposed them were destroyed. Nations such as
the people of Hadhrat Nooh v, the people of Rass, the Aad, the Thamud, Fir'oun,
the people of Aykah and so many others were destroyed because they opposed
their Ambiyaa pul # and the religions they brought. These incidents are recounted
in the Qur'aan.
3. Reminders of the Aayant of Allah
These verse remind people of the greatness and power of Allaah by discussing
the wonderful creations of Allaah, such as the bright stars, the scorching sun, the
luminescent moon, the vast earth, the gentle and fierce winds, the flowing rivers
and the entire system and meticulous functioning of the universe. The attention
of people is drawn to the fact that when even the smallest and simplest systems
cannot function without supervision, how can the vast creation be without a
creator and supervisor? The existence of Allaah is therefore established. There
flawless and seamless operation and functioning reinforces the belief in the
Oneness of Allaah. When pondering over these wonder of Allaah's creation, a
person is forced to exclaim, "Glory be to Allaah, the Rabb of the universe!" Referring
to the obvious indications of His majesty in the creation, Allaah says, "There are
numerous Aayaat in the heavens and the earth by which they (the Kuffaar) pass, yet they
ignore them (despite seeing all Allaah's great and wondrous creation, they do not ponder over them
and fail to realise that Allaah created them)" .4
4. Reminders of what is to come after death
These verses remind people of the life in the grave and depict the scenarios of
Qiyaamah and the Aakhirah. Such verses are often repeated in the Qur'aan and
form one of the fundamental subjects of the Qur'aan. Allaah says, "Warn by
4 Surah Yusuf, verse 105.
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means of this Qur'aan him who fears My warning (because these are the ones who will take
heed)'5.
From amongst these four main subject headers discussed in the Qur'aan, the
reminders of the days of Allaah discuss the incidents of the Ambiyaa pulse and
their interactions with their nations. We have collected these under forty
headings and attempted to gather all related verses on the subject that are
found in other parts of the Qur'aan. We have also included Ahadeeth relevant to
the subject to elucidate and shed interpretations upon the verses. Only those
narrations from the books of history and Seerah have been included which
were absolutely necessary and which did not conflict with the matter at hand
from the Qur'aan and Ahadeeth. We have also added a wealth of valuable
lessons that can be gleaned from the verses.
Therefore, this book serves as a window into the lives, the teachings and the
sacrifices of the Ambiyaa pull e as well as the rise and fall of their nations. The
reader will be able to have a complete picture of the lives of the Ambiya pull gule
with all the verses referring to them in one place. This book has been prepared in
a manner akin to the famous and internationally accepted books discussing the
biographies of the Ambiyaa >ul # and contentious issues have been avoided as far
as possible.
While the common storyline found in other books of history has been preserved,
these books have not been made the central source of reference. Rather, the
central source of reference has been the Qur'aan and the authentic Ahadeeth
of Rasulullaah p. Those references from the books of history that conflict with
this central source of reference have therefore been omitted. We have based
5 Surah Qaaf, verse 45.
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our work on the firm belief that whatever incidents the Qur'aan mentions about
the Ambiyaa Jul and their nations are the absolute truth and therefore the
most reliable reference.
It also needs to be stated that since the early days of Islaam to this very day,
unverified narrations from the Bani Israa'eel (called Israa'eeliayaat) have always
been quoted in great numbers in the books of Tafseer. However, you will find
this book free of this abundance of such narrations. We have also provided a
bibliography for the books referred to in this work.
It pleases us to mention the fact that this book was started in the Masjidul Huda
in Jeddah. After five years of work, it was eventually completed on the 29th of
Ramadhaan 1407 A.H. in the Masjidul Haraam in Makkah at the Maqaam
Ibraaheem. All praise belongs to Allaah from the beginning to the end.
Of course, we are all prone to error and beseech Allaah to accept this effort from
us. Indeed, He is Oft-Forgivinig, Most Merciful. May Allaah also shower His
choicest mercies upon His final Nabi Muhammad & as well as upon his family and
his companions.
Muhammad Abdur Rahmaan
17 Jumaadal Ukhra 1408 A.H.
Friday 5 February 1988
45

Sayyiduna Aadam Safi ullah v
Introduction
Hadhrat Aadam v was the first human on earth as well as the very first Nabi and
Rasool. The Qur'aan and authentic Ahadeeth make no mention of whether there
had been any inhabitants on earth prior to Hadhrat Aadam v. However, they do
make it evident that the angels and the Jinn had been created before him. This
is because Allaah informs us of matters that would be to our advantage and has
not delved into matters that will be of no avail in this world or the Aakhirah.
Therefore, even if we knew of the existence of any creatures before us on earth,
the knowledge would merely be information. What the Qur'aan does prove is
that our lineage stems from Hadhrat Aadam v and this fact is repeated several
times in the Qur'aan. Man has come from man and no other creature and he has
been called man from his very inception. Darwin's theory of evolution is flawed
from many angles and lacking substantiation. However, even if it is substantiated
with the most convincing arguments, we will still refute it because it conflicts
with the Qur'aan. A person may use a thousand proofs to substantiate that a
stone pillar is made of gold and his proofs may be widely accepted, but this will
not change the reality of the stone pillar. It will still remain stone. Despite all the
acclaim Darwin may have received, his theory will still remain flawed and
unacceptable.
Hadhrat Aadam v has been mentioned in eleven Surahs of the Qur'aan, with
his name appearing 25 times in total. These occasions are as follows:
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1.
Surah Baqarah: verses 31, 33, 34, 35, 37
2. Surah Aal Imraan: verses 33, 59
3.
Surah Maa'idah: verse 27
4.
Surah A'raaf: verses 11, 19, 26, 27, 31, 35, 172
5.
Surah Israa: verses 61, 70
6.
Surah Kahaf: verse 50
7. Surah Maryam: verse 58
8. Surah TaaHaa: verses 115, 116, 117, 120, 121
9. Surah Yaaseen: verse 60
10. Surah Hijr: verses 26, 33
11. Surah Saad: verses 71, 74
Concerning the creation of Hadhrat Aadam v , Allaah says, "Indeed we created
man (Aadam v) out of melodious sand derived from dark decomposing (moistened) clay".6
The fact is that water was mixed with soil, turning it into clay. Then this clay was
left until it began to decompose and become dark in colour. Thereafter the
mould of Hadhrat Aadam v was cast with this. When the mould set and dried, it
became like potted clay that has a melodious sound when struck. The various
verses of the Qur'aan individually refer to these various stages in man's creation.
Unlike the creation of other humans, the creation of Hadhrat Aadam v was a
demonstration of the sheer power of Allaah. It is with reference to this that
Allaah states, "He (Allaah) said, "O Iblees! What has prevented you from prostrating to
what I have created with My own hands". However, we cannot tell with certainty
exactly how man was created from sand, but can tell that the sand was of
different types and forms. The sand was then moulded and then brought to life
with the soul and granted its various faculties.
6 Surah Hijr, verse 26.
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When Hadhrat Aadam v was created, Allaah command the angels to prostrate
before him and they complied without hesitation. However, because of his
arrogance, Iblees did not.
In the Words of the Qu'aan
Recounting this incident, Allaah states:
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَاٍ مَّسْنُوْنٍ (٢٥٦) وَالْجَانَّ خَلَقْتُهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ مِنْ نَّارِ السَّمُوْمِ (٢٧) وَ إِذْ
قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَئِكَةِ إِنِّيْ خَالِقُّ بَشَرًا مِّنْ صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمٍَ مَّسْنُوْنٍ (٢٨) فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهَ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيْهِ مِنْ رُّوْحِى
فَقَعُوْا لَمَّ سُجِدِيْنَ (٢٩) فَسَجَدَ الْمَلَئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُوْنَ (٣٠) إِلَّا إِبْلِيْسَ * أَبَى أَنْ يَّكُوْنَ مَعَ السَّحِدِينَ (٣١)
قَالَ يَاِبْلِيْسُ مَا لَكَ الَّ تَكُوْنَ مَعَ السُّجِدِيْنَ (٣٢) قَالَ لَمْ أَكُنْ لِّأَسْجُدَ لِبَشَرِ خَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَاٍ
مَّسْنُوْنٍ (٣٣)
TRANSLATION: Indeed we created man (Aadam v) out of melodious sand derived from
dark decomposing (moistened) clay. (The various verses of the Qur'aan individually refer to various
stages in man's creation. The fact is that water was mixed with soil, turning it into clay. Then this clay
was left until it began to decompose and become dark in colour. Thereafter the mould of Aadam v
was cast with this. When the mould set and dried, it became like potted clay that has a melodious
sound when struck. ) And the Jinn (the first Jinn) We created before (man) out of Fire derived
from a scorching wind (a smokeless type of fire). (Remember the time) When your Rabb said to
the angels (among whom was Iblees), "I am creating a human (Aadam v) out of melodious
sand derived from dark decomposing clay. So when I have completed (creating) him and
blown into him a spirit from Me (created by Me), then prostrate before him." (Consequently,)
Every one of the angels prostrated (before Aadam v) except Iblees. He refused to be among
those who prostrated. Allaah said, "O Iblees! What is the matter with you that you are not
among those (angels) who have prostrated?" He replied, "I am not one to prostrate before
a human that You created out of melodious sand derived from dark decomposing clay."7
The verses of Surah A'raaf recount the incident thus:
7 Surah Hijr, verses 26-33.
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وَ لَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْتُكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَئِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِأَدَمَ *فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا اِبْلِيْسَ لَمْ يَكُنْ مِّنَ السَّجِدِينَ (١١)
قَالَ مَا مَنَعَکَ اَلَّ تَسْجُدَ إِذْ آَمَرْتُكَ - قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهٌُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِنْ نَّارٍ وَّ خَلَقْتَهَ مِنْ طِيْنٍ (١٢) قَالَ فَاتِيِطْ
مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُوْنُ لَكَ أَنْ تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيْهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصَّغِرِيْنَ (١٣)
TRANSLATION: Undoubtedly We created you (your father Aadam v), then fashioned you and
then We told the angels, "Make Sajdah to Aadam!" They (all) made Sajdah except Iblees
(Shaytaan, who then lived with the angels). He was not from those who made Sajdah. He
(Allaah) said (to Iblees), "What stopped you that you could not make Sajdah when I
commanded you?" He replied, "I am better than him (Aadam v)! You have created me from
fire and created him from clay." (While Iblees argued that fire is better than sand because fire
burns upwards and sand falls down, he failed to realise that sand extinguishes fire and that it is
constructive whereas fire is destructive.) He (Allaah) said (to Iblees), "Go down from here (from
the heavens) ! It is not for you (it is wrong for you) to be arrogant here! Go away, for you are
surely from the disgraced (mean) ones!"
Verse 50 of Surah Kahaf states:
وَ إِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلْئِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِأَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوْا إِلَّ اِبْلِيْسَ ٥* كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّم 0۔
TRANSLATION: (Remember the time) When We told the angels, "Prostrate before Aadam,"
they all prostrated except for Iblees. He was from the Jinn and disobeyed the command of
his Rabb.
Verses 34-35 of Surah Baqarah state:
وَ إِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلْئِكَةِ اسْجُدُوْا لِأَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّ اِبْلِيْسَ - أَبَى وَاسْتَكْبَرَ * وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكُفِرِينَ (٣٣) وَقُلْنَا يَأْدَمُ اسْكُنْ
أَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا. وَلَا تَقْرَبَا بُذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُوْنَا مِنَ الظَّلِمِيْنَ (٣٥)
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TRANSLATION: When We told the angels, "Prostrate (bow down) to Aadam (as a token of
respect but not to worship him)," they all prostrated, except Iblees (Shaytaan, whose name was
Azazil and who lived among the angels). He refused, was arrogant (claiming that he was superior
to Aadam v) and was from among those who rejected (Allaah's orders). We said, "O Aadam!
You and your wife (Hawwa) may live in Jannah and eat as much as (whatever) you desire
and from wherever you desire. However, do not approach this tree, otherwise the two of
you will become of the unjust ones (those who are disobedient)."
Discussing the same issue, Allaah also states in verses 71-74 of Surah Saad:
إِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلْئِكَةِ إِنِّيْ خَالِقَّ بَشَرًا مِّنْ طِيْنِ (٧١) فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُمْ وَ نَفَخْتُ فِيْهِ مِنْ رُّوْحِيْ فَقَعُوْا لَهَّ سُجِدِيْنَ
(٧٢) فَسَجَدَ الْمَلَئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُوْنَ (٧٣) إِلَّ اِبْلِيْسَ اِسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكُفِرِينَ (٧٢)
TRANSLATION: (Remember the time) When your Rabb said to the angels, "Verily, I am
creating a human being (Aadam v) from clay. So, when I have (perfectly) shaped him and
blown My spirit (the spirit that I have created) into him, then every one of you should bow
down to him." So (when Allaah issued the command to bow down) every one of the angels
bowed down to him except Iblees. He was haughty, and was from those who rejected
(Allaah's command).
Illeer's Argument
When Iblees refused to prostrate, Allaah asked him for his reason, which he
provided. The question was not to know the reason because Allaah is All
Knowing. However, it was for the matter to be stated on record as proof against
Iblees.
Iblees argued that he would not prostrate because he was superior since he was
created from fire and Hadhrat Aadam v was created from sand. He believed that
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fire was superior because fire always leapt upwards, whereas sand always fell
down. This was his feeble argument. It will be seen that when a person lacks
understanding in any matter, even the feeblest of arguments will appear to be
mountains to them in strength. Here the limited knowledge of Iblees led him
astray.
However, even if the reasoning of Iblees was correct, he was still guilty of a
crime because he was being commanded to obey at the time and was not
being asked to reason. Had reasoning been required, then the angels would also
have the right to refuse since they are created from light. However, they all
complied with the command immediately. This argument of Iblees is recounted
in the following verses:
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Verses 32-35 of Surah Hijr states:
قَالَ لَمْ آَكُنْ لََّسْجُدَ لِبَشَرِ خَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَاٍ مَّسْنُوْنٍ (٣٣) قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَحِيمٌ (٣٢) وَّ
إِنَّ عَلَيْكَ اللَّعْنَةَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ (٣٥)
TRANSLATION: Allaah said, "O Iblees! What is the matter with you that you are not
among those (angels) who have prostrated?" He replied, "I am not one to prostrate before
a human that You created out of melodious sand derived from dark decomposing clay."
Allaah said, "Go from here (Jannah), for you are indeed an outcast. You shall be accursed
until the day of Qiyaamah (until eternity)."
Allaah says in verses 12-13 of Surah A'raaf:
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قَالَ مَا مَنَعَکَ اَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ آَمَرْتُكَ - قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهٌُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِنْ نَّرٍ وَّ خَلَقْتَهَ مِنْ طِيْنِ (١٢) قَالَ فَابْبِطْ
مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُوْنُ لَكَ أَنْ تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيْهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصَّغِرِيْنَ (١٣)
TRANSLATION: He (Allaah) said (to Iblees), "What stopped you that you could not make
Sajdah when I commanded you?" He replied, "I am better than him (Aadam v)! You have
created me from fire and created him from clay." (While Iblees argued that fire is better than
sand because fire burns upwards and sand falls down, he failed to realise that sand extinguishes fire
and that it is constructive whereas fire is destructive.) He (Allaah) said (to Iblees), "Go down from
here (from the heavens) ! It is not for you (it is wrong for you) to be arrogant here! Go away,
for you are surely from the disgraced (mean) ones!"
Illes Requests for a long life
The best error is one for which repentance is immediate. However, the reply
that Iblees gave indicates that he was unrepentant and did not commit an error
unwittingly. Rather than repenting after being abolished from Jannah, Iblees
requested Allaah for an extended life so that he may avenge his fall from
Hadhrat Aadam v and his progeny by misleading them. Since it had been within
the plan of Allaah to test mankind, Allaah granted his request and also granted
him the means by which he could accomplish what he wanted. Iblees then
again displayed his evil nature by taking a vow that he would leave no stone
unturned to mislead mankind, adding that Allaah would not find many of His
servants grateful. However, he was then forced to admit that he would be
unable to mislead Allaah's chosen servants. Independent from everything, Allaah
declared that He was in no need for a man's allegiance if the man chose to
follow Iblees. Such a person would be fuel for Jahannam just like Iblees himself.
In the Words of the Qur' aan
Discussing this incident, Allaah says in verses 12-18 of Surah A'raaf:
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قَالَ مَا مَنَعَکَ اَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ آَمَرْتُكَ ﴿ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهٌُ خَلَقْتَنِيْ مِنْ نَّارٍ وَ خَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ طِيْنِ (١٢) قَالَ فَائِبِطْ
مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُوْنُ لَكَ أَنْ تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيْهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصُّغِرِيْنَ (١٣) قَالَ انْظِرْنِى إِلَى يَوْمٍ يُبْعَثُّوْنَ (١٣) قَالَ
إِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِيْنَ (١٥) قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِيْ لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِمَ (١٢) ثُمَّ لَأَتِيَنَّهُمْ مِّنَّ بَيْنِ آَيْدِهِمْ
وَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَآئِلِهِمْ ﴿ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَبُمْ شُكِرِيْنَ (١٧) قَالَ اخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْءُوْمًا مَّدْخُؤْرًا "
لَمَنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لَأَ مْلَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنْكُمْ أَجْمَعِيْنَ (١٨)
TRANSLATION: He (Allaah) said (to Iblees), "What stopped you that you could not make
Sajdah when I commanded you?" He replied, "I am better than him (Aadam v)! You have
created me from fire and created him from clay." (While Iblees argued that fire is better than
sand because fire burns upwards and sand falls down, he failed to realise that sand extinguishes fire
and that it is constructive whereas fire is destructive. ) He (Allaah) said (to Iblees), "Go down from
here (from the heavens) ! It is not for you (it is wrong for you) to be arrogant here! Go away,
for you are surely from the disgraced (mean) ones!" He (Iblees) asked, "Give me time (to
live) until the day when they (creation) will be resurrected (raised form their graves)." He
(Allaah granted the request and) replied, "Indeed you are of those who have been given
time." He (Iblees) said, "I swear that because You have sent me astray I will definitely
waylay (wait in ambush for) them (mankind) on Your straight path (Islaam)." (I shall do
everything to stop them from Islaam.) (To mislead them,) I will then approach them from the
front, from their backs, from their right and their left (in every possible manner) and You will
not find most of them to be grateful (most of them will follow me and not Your Deen of Islaam)."
He (Allaah) said (to Iblees), "Get away from here disgraced (wretched) and banished
(rejected). Whoever of them will follow you, I shall fill Jahannam with all of you."
Verses 32-44 of Surah Hijr state:
قَالَ يَاِبْلِيْسُ مَا لَكَ الَّ تَكُوْنَ مَعَ السُّجِدِيْنَ (٣٢) قَالَ لَمْ آَكُنْ لَّاسْجُدَ لِبَشَرِ خَلَقْتَهَ مِنْ صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَاٍ
مَّسْنُوْنٍ (٣٣) قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَحِيمٌ (٣٣) وَ إِنَّ عَلَيْكَ اللَّعْنَةَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ (٣٥) قَالَ رَبِّ
فَانْظِرْنِىَ إِلَى يَوْمٍ يُبْعَثُّوْنَ (٣٢) قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِيْنَ (٣٧) إِلَى يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُوْمِ (٣٨) قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَا
أَغْوَيْتَنِيْ لَأُزَيِّئَنَّ لَهُمْ فِى الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِيْنَ (٣٩) إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِيْنَ (٣٠) قَالَ بُذَا صِرَاطٌ
عَلَىَّ مُسْتَقِيمٌ (٣١) إِنَّ عِبَادِىْ لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطْنٌ إِلَّ مَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْغُوِيْنَ (٢٢) وَ إِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوْ عِدُبُمْ
أَجْمَعِيْنَ (٣٣٦) لَهَا سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَابٍ ٥* لِكُلِّ بَابٍ مِّنْهُمْ جُزْءٌ مَّقْسُوْمٌ (٪٣٢)
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TRANSLATION: Allaah said, "O Iblees! What is the matter with you that you are not
among those (angels) who have prostrated?" He replied, "I am not one to prostrate before
a human that You created out of melodious sand derived from dark decomposing clay."
Allaah said, "Go from here (Jannah), for you are indeed an outcast. You shall be accursed
until the day of Qiyaamah (until eternity)." He (Iblees) said, "Grant me respite (time to live and
relief from punishment) until the day (of Qiyaamah) when they (mankind) will be resurrected
(on the Day of Qiyaamah)." (Accepting his request,) Allaah said, "You are of those granted
respite until an appointed time (when the trumpet will be blown to sound the advent of
Qiyaamah)." He (Iblees) said, "My Rabb! Because You have sent me astray, I will certainly
beautify (evil) things for them (mankind) on earth and lead them all astray (using all the
devious means at my disposal). (I shall mislead all) Except those bondsmen of Yours who are
chosen (whom You have chosen to save from my guile)." Allaah said, "This (being chosen because
of doing good and refraining from evil) is the straight path that leads to Me." (Allaah told Iblees
further) "Indeed you will have no power (sway) over My (chosen) bondsmen, except (that
your control will be limited to) those deviant ones who follow you (because of ignorance and
foolishness). Verily Jahannam is their promised abode. It (Jahannam) has seven doors. Each
door shall have a stipulated share of them."
Declaring the plight of those who follow in the footsteps of Iblees, Allaah states
in verses 61-65 of Surah Bani Israa'eel:
وَ إِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَئِكَةِ اسْجُدُوْا لِأَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوْا إِلَّ اِبْلِيْسَ * قَالَ ءَاسْجُدُ لِمَنْ خَلَقْتَ طِيْنًا (١٩) قَالَ آَرَعَيْتَكَ بُذَا
الَّذِىْ كَرَّمْتَ عَلَىَّ وْ لَئِنْ آَخَّرْتَنِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيْمَةِ لَأَحْتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّنَهَ إِلَّا قَلِيْلًا (٢٢) قَالَ اذْبَبْ فَمَنْ تَّبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ
فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ جَزَآؤُكُمْ جَزَآءً مَّوْفُوْرًا (٢٣) وَ اسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُمْ بِصَوْتِكَ وَ أَجْلِبْ عَلَّيْهِمْ بِخَيْلِكَ
وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكْهُمْ فِى الْأَمْوَالِ وَ الْأَوْلَادِ وَعِدْبُمْ * وَ مَا يَعِدُبُمُ الشَّيْطِنُ إِلَّا غُرُؤْرًا (٢٣) إِنَّ عِبَادِىْ لَيْسَ
لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطُنٌ * وَكَفَى بِرَبِّكَ وَكِثْلًا (٢٥)
TRANSLATION: (Remember the time) When We (created Aadam v and) told the angels,
"Prostrate to Aadam!" they all prostrated except Iblees. He said, "Should I prostrate to
one whom You have created from mud (when I have been created from fire, which is superior to
mud) ?" He (Iblees) said, "Are You telling me that this is the being whom You have
honoured above me (I cannot accept this) ? If You grant me respite (time to live) until the Day
of Qiyaamah, I will surely gain control of his (Aadam v's) progeny (and lead them astray)
except for a few individuals (Whom You protect from me)." (Accepting his request for life until
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Qiyaamah,) He (Allaah) said, "Go (from here) ! Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you,
then Jahannam will definitely be ample punishment for them. Fool (scare, destroy) as many
of them as you can with your voice (with music and everything else that calls them to sin),
attack them with your cavalry and infantry (with all your might), be a partner in their wealth
(by causing them to indulge in stealing, interest and other sins of wealth and by causing them to
spend charity for ulterior motives) and (be a partner in their) children (by causing them to have
illegitimate children and by using their children to lead them astray) and promise them (long lives
and that there will be no resurrection)." The promises that Shaytaan makes are only deceptive
(a delusion to mislead you, so do not fall for them). (Allaah told Iblees further) "Indeed you will
have no control over My (chosen) bondsmen (because I shall protect them from your guile)."
Your Rabb suffices as a Protector (with Allaah as Protector, one needs no one else).
Verses 75-85 of Surah Saad put the incident in the following words:
قَالَ يَاِبْلِيْسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَىَّ « اسْتَكْبَرْتَ آَمْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْعَالِيْنَ (٧٥) قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ ﴾
خَلَقْتَنِىْ مِنْ نَّارٍ وَّ خَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ طِيْنٍ (٧٢) قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَحِيمٌ (٧٧٥) وَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِىَ إِلَى يَوْمِ
الدِّيْنِ (٧٨) قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنْظِرْنِىَ إِلَى يَوْمٍ يُبْعَثُّوْنَ (٧٩) قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِيْنَ (٨٠) إِلَى يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ
الْمَعْلُوْمِ (٨١) قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِيْنَ (٨٢) إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِيْنَ (٨٣) قَالَ فَالْحَقُّ نْ وَ
الْحَقَّ أَقُوْلُ (٨٣) لَأَمْلَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنْكَ وَ مِمَّنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِيْنَ (٨٥)
TRANSLATION: He (Allaah) said, "O Iblees! What has prevented you from prostrating to
what I have created with My own hands? Are you too proud, or are you (of the opinion that
you are) superior in rank (to Aadam v) ?" He (Iblees) replied, "I am better than him. You
have created me from fire, while you have created him from clay." (While Iblees argued that
fire is better than clay because fire burns upwards and clay falls down, he failed to realise that clay
extinguishes fire and that it is constructive whereas fire is destructive.) He (Allaah) said, "Depart
from here (Jannah), for you are certainly an outcast (not deserving of this place). My curse
shall be on you until the Day of Reckoning." He (Iblees) said, "O my Rabb! Grant me respite
(time to live and mislead people) until the Day (of Qiyaamah) when people are resurrected." He
(Allaah) said, "You are then from those given respite until the Day of the appointed time."
He (Iblees) said, "(I swear) By Your honour! I shall definitely mislead all of them (mankind)
except Your chosen slaves among them (the Ambiyaa)." He (Allaah) declared, "I speak the
truth, and it is the truth that I always speak. I shall certainly fill Jahannam with you and
with all those of them (mankind) who follow you."
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Allaah's Vicegerent on Earth
When Allaah decided to place a vicegerent on earth in the form of man, He
informed the angels of the plan. The vicegerent was to ensure that the
commands of Allaah were enforced on earth. When the angels heard the news,
they expressed surprise because it made them wonder what shortcomings they
had if they were deemed unfit for the task.
However, they knew that when the Jinn were placed on earth, they wreaked
havoc and were eventually driven to confined regions. Therefore, the angels
feared that perhaps this new creation of mankind would follow the same path.
In the Words of the Qur' aan
وَ إِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى الْأَرْضِ خَلِيْفَةَ - قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيْهَا مَنْ يُّفْسِدُ فِيْهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَآءٌَ وَنَحْنُ
نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ - قَالَ إِنِّىَ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ (٣٠)
TRANSLATION: When your Rabb said to the angels, "I am about to place a deputy on
earth (someone to enforce My commands on earth, referring to Hadhrat Aadam v)." (Basing their
deductions on the unruly behaviour of the Jinn who lived on earth before the creation of mankind)
The angels said (out of surprise and not as an objection), "Will You place on earth someone
who will cause corruption there and spill blood, whereas we (always) glorify Your praises
and proclaim (call out) Your purity (and are therefore more deserving of the position of being Your
deputy)?" Allaah said, "Indeed, I know what you do not know." (Allaah knows the wisdom of
His creation and it therefore does not behove anyone to question it).8
8 Surah Baqarah, verse 30.
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The questioning of the angels was, however, not done in insolence or as an
objection since they were not rebuked in any way. The fact was that they failed
to realise the worth of Hadhrat Aadam v. Allaah therefore demonstrated to
them his superiority over them so that they would see their folly by themselves.
Allaah then demonstrated to the angels the superior knowledge that Hadhrat
Aadam u had, which is referred to as the knowledge of 'names'.
What were these 'names'? The Qur'aan does not provide details of this.
However, the Ahadeeth make it evident that this was the knowledge of all the
names and functions of all creation in the universe. When Hadhrat Aadam v
was inspired with the knowledge of this, he was called before the angels and
asked to inform them of these names. This also demonstrated to them why he
was most suitable for the post of a vicegerent.
When they saw this, the angels were amazed because they had no such
knowledge. They therefore admitted to his superiority over them and also
prostrated to him as a mark of respect.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Discussing this in verses 31-33, Allaah says:
وَعَلَّمَ أَدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَئِكَةِ " فَقَالَ أَنْبُوْنِىٌ بِأَسْمَاءِ بَؤُلَاءِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَدِقِيْنَ (٣١) قَالُوْا
سُبْحَنَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّ مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ﴿ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَلِيْمُ الْحَكِيمُ (٣٢) قَالَ يَأْدَمُ أَنْبِئْهُمْ بِاسْمَانِهِمْ فَلَمَّا أَنْبَابُمْ بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ
قَالَ الَمْ أَقُلْ لَّكُمْ إِنِّئْ اَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمُوتِ وَالْأَرْضِ " وَاعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُوْنَ وَمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْتُمُوْنَ (٣٣)
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TRANSLATION: Allaah taught Aadam the names (and meanings and qualities of all things), and
then presented these (things) before the angels saying, "Inform Me of the names of these
if you are truthful." (If you are truthful in your claim that you are more deserving of being Allaah's
deputy, your knowledge ought to be superior to his.) (Unable to provide the answer) The angels
submitted, "We proclaim Your purity (You are so Pure from all faults that none can object to
Your decree) ! We possess only the knowledge that You have taught us. Without doubt,
You are All Knowing, the Wise." Allaah said, "O Aadam! Inform them (the angels) of the
names of these things." When he (Aadam v) informed them of their names (together with the
reason for their creation), Allaah said (to the angels), "Did I not tell you that I know (all) the
unseen things of the heavens and the earth, and that I know what you make known and
what you hide (in your hearts)?"
Living in Jannah
Hadhrat Aadam v was then given a place to stay in Jannah, but despite all the
bounties, he was soon lonely because it is in the nature of man to have
companionship. Allaah therefore created Hadhrat Hawwa wie algo, to be his wife,
after which his heart was comforted. The couple were permitted to eat from
wherever they liked in Jannah, but forbidden from eating from a particular tree.
They were warned that eating from it would be wrong and that Shaytaan (Iblees)
was their archenemy, who would try to beguile them.
Although Hadhrat Aadam v would have never even thought of disobeying
Allaah, man is prone to forget and err. At the same time, Shaytaan was waiting
for the opportunity to get his revenge from Hadhrat Aadam v. He therefore
whispered into the hearts of the couple that eating from the tree would allow
them to live forever in Jannah, indicating that they would therefore earn the
perpetual pleasure of Allaah. To convince them further, he even took oaths and
promised them that he was their well-wisher.
In the yearning for eternal life in Jannah and unaware of such degrees of
treachery because of their innocence, the couple forgot the instruction and
tasted from the tree. They immediately became naked and hastily gathered
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together some leaves to cover themselves. This nakedness was a manifestation
of the error they committed.
Allaah then reminded them of His command and warnings. When they realised
their folly, Hadhrat Aadam v and Hadhrat Hawwa wealth, both immediately fell
prostrate and repented with the words, "O our Rabb! We have oppressed our
souls (done a wrong) and if You do not forgive us and show mercy to us, we will
surely be of the losers."
Allaah knows the condition of every heart and that the couple were sincerely
sorry for their folly. Allaah knew that the act was not deliberate9 so He forgave
them. It was, however, the time for Hadhrat Aadam v to step upon the earth to
fulfil his role as Allaah's vicegerent and the couple were therefore sent down.
This time again, Allaah warned them of Shaytaan.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Recounting the in verses 35-39 of Surah Baqarah, Allaah says:
وَقُلْنَا يَأْدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا. وَلَا تَقْرَبَا بُذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُوْنَا مِنَ الظُّلِمِيْنَ
(٣٥) فَازَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطُنُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَ جَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيْهِ. وَقُلْنَا ابْبِطُوْا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضِ عَدُوٌّ ◌ٌ وَلَكُمْ فِى الْأَرْضِ
مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَّمَتَاعٌ إِلَى حِيْنٍ (٣٢) فَتَلَقَّى أَدَمُ مِنْ رَّبِّه كَلِمَتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ﴿ إِنَّهَ بُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ (٣٧) قُلْنَا ابْبِطُوْا
مِنْهَا جَمِيْعًا فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِّنِّئْ بُدَّى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ بُدَاىَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا بُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ (٣٨) وَالَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَكَذَّبُوْا
بِأَيْتِنَا أُولَئِكَ أَصْحُبُ النَّارِ " بُمْ فِيْهَا خُلِدُوْنَ (٣٩)
9 Surah TaaHaa, verse 115.
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