Reflections on Story of Adam
1. Why did Allah “consulted” the angels about His
plan for creating man on earth?
2. Why did the angels knew that man will cause
disorder and shed blood on the earth ?
3. Allah responded: “I know what you know not.”
What is the implication of the reply?
4. Why did Allah ordered the Angels and Jins to
prostrate to Adam?
5. What was man created for ?
6. Why was he not sent to earth directly right after
his being created?
7. The Qur’an mentioned that man was created
from essence of clay. Was it reasonable or
“scientific” ?
8. Why did Allah forgive Adam and not Iblis ?
Was it unfair ?
9. What was the purpose of the Qur’an repeating
the story of Adam ? OR, what is the lesson we
can draw from the story of Adam?
10. Did Iblis believe in the existence of God? Is
Belief sufficient for salvation?
Summary
• According to the Holy Qur’an, Adam and Eve were
both responsible for the mistake they made
• Both of them repented and were forgiven
• Man was sent to the earth with a mission, as the
trustee of God, not as punishment
• Test in the Garden was designed for preparing man
to take up his mission on earth. Allah taught Adam
& Eve by practical experience so that they may learn
the real intention/motives of Iblis. It can be regarded
as a pre-service training program.
• Man should overcome the temptation of Iblis so as to
attain a respectable status and fulfill the assignment
given by Allah, the Creator.
• The challenge of Iblis may serve to strengthen
man’s determination and WILL POWER against
temptation. An analogy to the invasion of
bacteria for immunity of our phsical body.
• The great weakness of Iblis was：self –
conceitedness and jealousy
• Man was born in the state of fitrah (inclined to the
truth)
• Man is not the true owner of this world. He is the
trustee of Allah. Therefore, he should follow the
will of Allah in making use of resources on earth.
• Allah promised to send guidance to man on earth
Concept of Life
• Role of man : vicegerent of Allah ( Q 6:165)
• Worship (serve) Allah ( Q 51:56 )
• Born in pure state ( Q 30 : 30 )
• Each will bear what they have done ( Q 65:7 )
• Not abstain from desire, nor indulge in lust
• Repent to Allah directly upon committing mistake
and be determined to improve
• Satan is our enemy, don’t underestimate its power
Purpose of Creation of man
(Worship)
‫ عبد‬male slave, servant
I have not created the jinn and the men
(serve)
except for this that they should worship Me.
(Qur’an 51:56)
Generous & Charitable
Believe in Allah and His Messenger and
spend out of what He has made you
successor. For those of you who will believe
and expend of their wealth there is a great
reward.
(Qur’an 57:7)
The Middle Way – no indulgence
in nor abstain from desire
And thus have We willed you to be a
community of the middle way, so that
[with your lives] you might bear witness to
the truth before all mankind, and that the
Apostle might bear witness to it before
you.
(Qur’an 2:143)
Man is Born Sinless
So, set your face sincerely and truly towards this
Faith and be steadfast on the Nature whereupon
Allah has created mankind.
(Qur’an 30:30)
Narrated Abu-Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "No child is born except on Al-fitra
and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or
Magian (Zoroastrian), as an animal produces a perfect
young animal: do you see any part of its body
amputated?"
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 23, Number 441
Answerable to Allah
"O David, We have made you vicegerent in the
earth, so rule among the people with justice and do
not follow your lust, for it will lead you astray
from Allah's Way." For those who go astray from
Allah's Way, there is a severe punishment because
they forgot the Day of Reckoning."
(Qur’an 38:26)
Everyone Will Be Responsible
For His Own Deeds
「…. Every person is himself
accountable for what he earns,
for no bearer of burden bears
the burden of another … 」
(Qur’an 6 : 164)
Man Will Be Held Accountable
According To What He Has Been
Given
“Allah does not burden any human
being with a responsibility heavier
than he can bear. ”
(Qur’an 2:286)
Man Will Be Held Accountable
According To What He Has Been
Given
“ Let the rich man spend according to his means
and let the one whose means are restricted,
spend out of what Allah has given him. Allah
does not burden anyone with more than what
He has given him. …. ”
(Qur’an 65 ：7)
Man Will Be Tested
“Be sure we shall test you with
something of fear and hunger, some
loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of
your toil), but give glad tidings to
those who patiently persevere, ”
(Qur’an 2 ： 155)
Men Are Made in Ranks
It is He, Who has made you the vicegerents
on the earth, and raised some of you above
others in ranks so that He may test you in
what He has given you. Indeed your Lord is
swift in inflicting punishment: yet He is also
very Forgiving and Merciful.
(Qur’an 6 :165)