ADAM

PROPHET ADAM:

      Adam was the first man Allah (swt) created.  Allah created Adam from the elements of clay (the elements of the earth).  See how wonderful Allah Almighty is, and how He can plan and execute things as He pleases? Isn't it a miracle that Allah made a whole man from mere dust, and who else except Allah can do such a wonderful thing?!

      Adam is the father of all people on earth, and he was privileged to be the first Prophet.  When Allah Al­mighty made Adam from clay He had certain plans for him:

►   Allah asked the angels to gather together, and thousands upon thousands of angels reverently gathered and bowed in respect since they were in the presence of the Almighty.  There were the great Archangels among others, especially Angel Jubra'eel (Gabriel).  With the angels was also an impor­tant Jinn by the name of Iblees, (Sheitan, or Satan).

►   Every Angel was solemnly waiting to see what Allah (swt) was going to

order.  Adam was standing by, waiting in all respect too.  Allah (swt) asked all the angels to bow in obeisance to Adam (to give in to Adam), since Adam was created so uniquely.

►   When the angels heard the com­mand they obeyed right away and bowed.  However, one disobeyed and he stood still, defiant!  This one was Iblees (Satan) himself, the Jinn.  (Surah  30:  Ayah  34.  Also Surah  7:  Ayah  12.  Also Surah  15:  Ayah  32-33.  Also Surah  17:  Ayah  61.)

      When Allah saw Iblees (Satan) defying His command, He asked Satan for the reason.  Iblees (Satan) arrogantly replied:  "How can I bow to Adam when he is a mere human—an inferior creation to me?"  Satan then added, "After all, Jinns were created from the energy of fire while Adam was created from clay, mere clay."  Satan was arrogant, proud of his defiance, feeling haughty.  He was so blind with self-importance by now that he disobeyed his own creator, Allah Himself!  Imagine how terrible Satan turned out to be, what a decision!

►   Having arrogantly defied Allah Almighty, Allah (swt) dismissed Satan from the Garden of Bliss—since Satan was disrespectful and considered himself above Allah's Law.  Satan could no longer belong in the Garden of Bliss, Allah did not allow him to be among the angels.  Satan became evil, the source of all wickedness, and he deserved Allah's anger.

►   When Allah dismissed Satan (Iblees) from the Garden of Bliss, Satan made a request to Allah Almighty.  Iblees asked if he would be allowed to exist until the Day of Judgment.  His purpose was to spread evil and convince people to behave in a very bad way.  Allah Almighty granted his request.

►   So, from a long time ago until now, and until the Day of Judgment, Iblees (Satan) will continue to twist people into doing bad things.  Satan would:

1. tempt people to lie, cheat, transgress, spread injustice, and hurt;

2. tempt people to be mischievous, steal, hurt, and disobey Allah in every way possible.

3. tempt people to do everything bad and evil, and he put hatred in their hearts.

COMING BACK TO ADAM  

      As mentioned, when Adam became lonely Allah's mercy came to his rescue.  Allah created a female called Hawwa (Eve).  Both Adam and Hawwa were in the Garden of Bliss living very happily, talking, eating, playing, and being kind and thoughtful to each other.

      Allah (swt) gave instructions to Adam and Hawwa that they would live happily together under one condition:  they were not to approach a certain tree, the Tree of Knowledge.

      Obediently, Adam and Eve accepted the condition and continued enjoying each other's company.  Then Iblees (Satan) came to them.  Having defied Allah and become the source of evil, Iblees decided now to persuade and convince both Adam and Hawwa to disobey Allah's request.  Iblees was conniving, sneaky, and he kept talking to them a number of times, enticing them to approach the special tree promising eternity and all delights.  He wanted to draw them to approach the very tree that Allah told them not to approach.

      Iblees (Satan) didn't succeed at first but he persisted with enticement.  Finally, both Adam and Hawwa succumbed, and they became curious.  They wondered as to why Allah (swt) didn't want them to approach the tree.  They wondered whether Satan was correct after all, and their curiosity intensified and eventually turned into a compulsion.

       Finally, one day, Adam and Hawwa (Eve) decided to approach the tree.  Suddenly, for the first time things became evident to them.  Surprisingly and disgustingly, they could see each other's bad actions and had mischievous thoughts!  How terrible it was to have disobeyed Allah's Command, the very order of Allah Most High.  And what grave consequences!  Oh how sinful it was!  (Surah  20:  Ayah  121.  Also Surah  7:  Ayah  20-23.  Also Surah  20:  Ayah  117-120.)

WHAT HAPPENED THEN?  

      Almighty Allah always sees us, and He knows all about us.  He saw what Adam and Eve had done as all along He knew what would happen.  Allah knew that they followed the temptation and bad works of Satan.  It also meant that Adam and Eve had foolishly broken their promise to Allah (swt) of not approaching the tree of knowledge.

      Both Adam and Eve felt very guilty and bad inside, since their action was very wrong, and they pleaded to Allah to forgive them.  Being most merciful, Allah forgave them but at the same time He dispelled them from the Garden of Bliss.

       By so doing, Adam and Eve became ordinary people, and they had to live like us for only a certain span of time on this earth.  They are to die like us too, and they will be recreated again to be judged by Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgment for their actions. (Surah  2:  Ayah  36.  Also Surah  20:  Ayah  123.)

      Prophet Adam and his wife Hawwa lived a long time ago and they had many, many children.  Adam taught his children and his grandchildren what he learned about Allah's Guidance and Directives.  He taught them to do good and to prevent the bad and evil.  People worshiped Allah Almighty and did well by His teachings.

      As time passed and more and more children were born, and as thousands of years passed and the number of people became bigger and bigger, people forgot Allah's Directives.  So a time came when there was a need for a Nabiy, (Prophet).  Allah (swt) privileged Nooh (Noah) with Prophethood to guide the people to the right path.

QUESTIONS  

1. What did Allah want from the angels when He created Adam?

2. Who was a Jinn but in company of the angels?

3. Who arrogantly defied Allah?

4. Who is Iblees?

5. Was Sheitan an angel?

6. Why did Sheitan defy Allah Almighty?

7. Why is Sheitan bad to us?

8. Who tempted Adam and Eve to disobey Allah?

9. Who approached the tree of knowledge?

10. How did Adam and Eve feel after they approached the tree of knowledge?

11. What did Allah (swt) decide to do when Adam and Eve approached the tree of knowledge?

12. If we follow Sheitan will Allah like us?

13. Who is your worst enemy?

14. What is meant by saying Adam and Hawwa felt guilty?

15. What are the Directives of Allah and to whom were they taught?