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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10.1 10.2 10.3 11 12 13 13.1 13.2 13.3 14 A SUCCESSIVE AUTHORITY ON EARTH ............................................................................................ 2 TEACHINGS OF NAMES TO ADAM (peace be upon him) ................................................................ 2 THE FIRST MAN IS HONORED .......................................................................................................... 3 SATANS REJECTION TO PROSTRATE ............................................................................................... 4 EXPULSION OF SATAN FROM THE MERCY OF ALLAH ..................................................................... 4 ADAM ALLOWED TO DWELL IN PARADISE ...................................................................................... 6 FIRST SIN ......................................................................................................................................... 6 ADAM AND EVE BEING SENT DOWN TO EARTH ............................................................................. 7 LIFE ON EARTH ................................................................................................................................ 8 WISDOMS BEHIND ADAMS BEING EXPELLED FROM HEAVEN ................................................... 9 EXPULSION FROM PARADISE A WISDOM AND MERCY......................................................... 10 ONE TROUBLE TEACHES BETTER THAN 1000 ADVICES ......................................................... 10 ALLAH IS OFT FORGIVING AND MOST MERCIFUL ................................................................. 11 THE FIRST HUMAN BEING-THE FIRST PROPHET ........................................................................ 11 ADAMS DEATH ......................................................................................................................... 12 CONCEPT OF ORIGINAL SIN....................................................................................................... 12 NO ANY PROPHET TAUGHT ABOUT THE ORIGINAL SIN ........................................................ 12 SALVATION ACCORDING TO JESUS ....................................................................................... 13 ISLAMIC POINT OF VIEW ON ORIGINAL SIN .......................................................................... 14 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 15
In Quran (2:31-33) it is described as: And He taught Adam all the names (of everything). Then He showed them to the angels and said, "Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful." They (angels) said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who are the Knowing, the Wise." He (Allah the Almighty) said, "O Adam, inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, He (Allah) said, "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed." Allah created necessary knowledge about the essence of things, divine laws that rule over them, ways of benefit and harm in the human mind, as a requirement of his talent. Human beings have inherited that inborn talent from their ancestors and eventually have solved the mysteries and laws of nature, which realizes Allahs promise I am about to create a vicegerent on the earth (Afif Abdul Fattah Tabbara, Prophets and Our Prophet in the Quran, 36). God imbued Adam with an insatiable need for and love of knowledge. Adam's ability to learn and his innate thirst for knowledge gave him superiority over the angels, which the angels faithfully admitted.
While worship is reserved for God Alone, this prostration by the Angels to Adam was a sign of respect and honor. It was rather an expression of admitting Adams superiority and submitting to Allah, who gave this superiority to him.
It was also said by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that God created Adam in His image [Saheeh Muslim]. This does not mean that Adam was created to look similar to God, as God is unique in all His aspects; and no doubt we are unable to comprehend or form an image of Him. It does mean, however, that Adam was given some qualities which also God have, although incomparable. He was given qualities, like mercy, love, free will, and others.
[Allah] said, "Indeed, you are of those reprieved." [Satan] said, "Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them and on their right and on their left, and You will not find most of them grateful [to You]." [Allah] said, "Get out of Paradise, reproached and expelled. Whoever follows you among them - I will surely fill the Hell with you, all together." (Quran 7:13-18) In Chapter 15 verse 35, the expulsion of Iblees (Satan) is mentioned as: Allah said: Then get out of Here for verily you are an outcast or cursed one. Verily, the curse shall be upon you until the Day of Resurrection. (Quran 15:35) He was desperate because he thought that Allah would exterminate him because of the fault he had made. Nevertheless, he could not even think of apologizing because of his pride. As a last resort, Satan wanted respite till the day of resurrection because he thought of avoiding death. However, as Allah - who sees into even the smallest secrets - knew his plan replied to his demand of respite as follows: Indeed, you are of those reprieved." Satan was very happy to have the respite he wanted. Instead of spending this long respite with repentance and trying to escape from this degrading end, he insisted on his rebellion and answered, because You made me stray, and degrade, I will try to stray humankind. I will sit on your straight way and lay in ambush on that way of faith and right destination that leads humans to You. I will stray them from the straightway by attacking them from all sides. Ill do my best to stray them. Then Youll not find most of the people obedient and thankful to You. [Allah] said; Go, for whoever of them follows you, indeed hell will be the recompense of you - an ample recompense. And beguile [to senselessness] whoever you can among them with your voice and assault them with your horses and foot soldiers and become a partner in their wealth and their children and promise them. But Satan does not promise them except delusion. Indeed, over My [believing] servants, there is for you no authority. And sufficient is your Lord as Disposer of affairs. (Quran 17:63-65) In the above verse, Allah said to the Satan to use all devilish mischievousness, tricks, and all power to provoke Adam and his generation. Then whoever of the humankind leaves my way and gives into you, I will fill the Hell with you and the ones who follow you. However, those true servants of Mine, never quit praying in order to deserve my consent. No matter, how much you try, you cannot rule over them. In fact, if the fight between humankind and Satan was not allowed, those righteous servants, Allah exalted would not come out and thus, services expected from humankind would be in vain.
Moreover, by expelling him (Satan), Allah reminded Satan that He (Allah) is the only owner of all superiorities and high qualities, and that He can elevate the one He wishes and demeans the one He wishes and whenever He wants. Satan paid severely the penalty of not knowing his limits. So, Satan will live until the Day of Judgment and after experiencing the agony of death like other beings, he will be resurrected in order to account.
7 FIRST SIN
In Quran or Hadith, there is no proper account how Satan approached Adam and Eve except that he (Satan) whispered to them. According to some commentaries, Satan whispered into their hearts and planted disquieting thoughts and desires. The reality was that Adam did not have any experience with the whisperings and ploys of Satan. He knew that Satan was his enemy but had no familiarity with how to resist Satans tricks and schemes.
With his tricks, Satan tried to influence Adam towards Forbidden tree, O Adam! Shall I show you a way to stay in Heaven forever and gain an endless sovereignty? Adam was aware that Satan was trying to deceive them. He scolded him and tried to remain away. However, Satan did not seem to give up. He approached them again, this time, he said: Why do you think your Lord forbade this tree for you? It is the tree of immortality. If you eat its fruit, you will stay in Heaven forever. Else you will turn into the angels. What are you still waiting for? Go eat from its fruits and stay in Heaven forever. (What is meant by being an angel here is having angelic characteristics such as being strong and living long, also not being affected by tiring and grieving things.) In Quran, the trickery of Satan is described in Chapter 2 as: However, Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been (Quran 2:36) Moreover, in Chapter 7 Quran narrates: Then Satan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts (before); he said: Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortals. And he swore [by Allah] to them: "Verily, I am one of the sincere well-wishers for you both." So he made them fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And their Lord called to them, "Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy?" (Quran 7:20-22) Furthermore, in Chapter 20, it is stated as: Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?" And Adam and his wife ate of it, and their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred. (Quran 20:120-121) As soon as Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, the heavenly clothes on them disappeared. They were ashamed of it and tried to cover themselves with the leaves. They understood their mistake. Nevertheless, it was too late; they disobeyed Allah by listening to Satan. And that was Satans first victory over humankind.
In the above verse provision for a time means we do not belong to the earth; we are here for a temporary time. We belong to the life hereafter and are destined to take our place in either Heaven or Hell, according to our deeds that we perform during this life. So, when the Lord called unto them: "Did I not forbid you that tree, and tell you that Satan was an avowed enemy unto you?" Hearing this, Adam and Eve were ashamed of themselves. They admitted their fault and confessed it and said that they were regretful about what they had done: They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.(Quran 7:23) In Chapter 2, it is mentioned as: Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He [The Almighty Allah] who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. (Quran 2:37) Satans aim of having Adam and Eve eat the fruit of the forbidden tree was to lead them to disobedience, which would deprive them of Heaven permanently. He thought that they would also be expelled from the mercy of Allah and be deprived of it eternally like him. However, he had never thought that Adam and Eve would regret for their fault and be forgiven due to their repentance. Actually, his main aim in encouraging every believer to disobey God is making them like him and pursuing disobedience. He never thinks that those people will repent and be forgiven. If he already knew that they would repent, he would not ever bother with them. Then his Lord chose him and turned to him in forgiveness and guided [him]. (Quran 20:122) Allah not only accepts their repentance, but it is also worth noting that in Quran blame of sin is placed equally on both Adam and Eve for their mistake. The Quran does not say that Eve tempted Adam to eat from the tree or even that she had eaten before him. Allah the Almighty, according to the Quran, punishes no one for anothers faults. Both Adam and Eve committed a sin and then asked God for forgiveness, and He forgave them both. So there is no question of a hereditary sin called Original Sin in Islam.
9 LIFE ON EARTH
Now a new life was beginning for them. The generations to come from Adam and Eve were going to live on Earth for a certain time until the Day of Judgment, and they were going to benefit from the boons and the blessings endowed upon them throughout this period of time and then they were going to die. However, this death would not mean non-existence. They were
going to be resurrected one day and receive the rewards for their good deeds and suffer from the punishment of their evil deeds. It was the requirement of Allahs pre-eternal wisdom. While sending them down to the Earth, Allah called unto them all; (Quran 2:36, 20:123, 7:24) Allah said: Get down, one of you is an enemy against the other [i.e. Adam, Eve and Satan]. On earth will be a dwelling-place for you and an enjoyment for a time. He said: Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (i.e. Resurrected) (Quran 7:24-25) That is to say, enmity and great conflict between the humankind and Satan were going to continue on the Earth as well, because Satan thought that it was the creation of humankind, which led him to rebel and to be expelled from the mercy of Allah. Therefore, he felt hatred with all his existence towards the humankind, and he had become an enemy of them all. Man was weak in disposition such as forgetfulness, impatience and emotionality, which made him prone to be deceived by Satans delusions and tricks. The Divine Mercy, of course, would not leave a being with such disposition alone and on his own without support against an intriguer like Satan. So, Allah warned Adam and Eve when He sent them down to the Earth: Allah said, "Descend from Paradise - all, being enemies to one another. And if there should come to you guidance [True Faith and Prophets] from Me - then whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray [in the world] nor suffer [in the Hereafter]. But whosoever turns away from My guidance, verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection (Quran 20:123-124) Therefore, Allah sent guidance through His Prophets and Messengers to different nations. And when after the death of a messenger, people went astray and corrupted His message (divine book), He sent another messenger with clear guidance so to bring the people back to the Right Path.
Knowledge of Divine mercy as well as knowledge of the innate goodness of the human nature (Fitrah), serves three very important functions: 1. It gives the believers hope of salvation and success; 2. It gives him confidence in his own potential to do right and resist wrong; 3. It encourages and admonishes him to pursue all that is right and resist all that is wrong. These are the merits of sincere repentance. Just as the Prophet Adam, peace be upon him, repented and was pardoned for his wrong action, so may his descendants repent sincerely and be pardoned for their wrong actions.
O children of Adam, let not Satan tempts you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Certainly, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devil's allies to those who do not believe. (Quran 7:27)
12 ADAMS DEATH
Adam, the first human being and the first prophet, was also the first prophet to pass away from this world, after having lived for around a thousand years. According to narrations, when the time of death came to Adam, he said to Allah: O Lord! My enemy, Satan, will be happy and mock at me if he sees me dying, for he is going to live until the Day of Judgment. Allah said to him in response: O Adam! You are going to enter Heaven again. However, he is going to stay on Earth and feel the agony of death as many times as the number of people to come until the Day of Judgment and he is eventually going to die in misery. His death has been postponed for this reason. Hearing this, Adam asks Allah to tell him how Satan is going to experience death. Allah begins to tell him; however, Adam cannot bear it anymore and says: O Lord! That is enough! Then he dies in peace. (Muhammad Hamdi Yazr, ibid, IV, 3062)
"Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sins." Clearly dying for your own sins indicates you are not responsible or lumbered with your forefathers sin. Again, the question is asked; if God really wanted us to believe in Original Sin then why have these verses in the Bible? We must ponder; why did not the Prophets before Jesus call to this notion of original sin? Did they lie when they said that it was enough to Worship One God and obey His commandments to achieve Paradise? Why did not God come and free humanity from sin at the time of Adam so that the righteous and others would not be in Hell due to his sin? Why are infants, humanity before Jesus, and others who have not heard about Christianity, held accountable for a sin they did not commit, nor have knowledge about how to remit them from it? The truth regarding the matter is that the notion of Original Sin, as many others, was one introduced by Paul and later expounded on by Christian scholars and councils. Even in the Bible, Jesus never said I would be crucified for Adam's sin nor did he say that children are born sinful. Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14) We may well wonder how for of such could be the kingdom of heaven if the unbaptized are hellbound. None of these are found in the entire Bible. Jesus himself says that he has come for Israel only. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24) However, Paul says that his mission is to take away the sins of mankind caused by Adam. No such thing has been described even in the Old Testament. If original sin dated from Adam and Eve, one wouldnt find it denied in any scripture of any age!
good? No one is good but One; that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. (Mat. 19: 16-17); To a similar question put to him by a lawyer, as recorded in the gospel of Luke, Jesus told him to love God and his fellow man: And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law? What is your reading of it? So he answered and said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with your entire mind, and your neighbor as yourself. And He said to him, You have answered rightly; do this and you will live. (Luke 10:25-28). The role of Jesus (PBUH) is made clear in the Quran where God says: The Messiah, son of Mary, was not but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a supporter of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded. (Quran 5:75) The mission of Jesus (PBUH) was not; therefore, to set up a new method of achieving salvation, much less the founding of a new system of belief; as even the Bible points out, Jesus sought only to take the Jews from their emphasis on ritual back to that of righteousness (Mat. 6:1-8). Moreover in (Mat. 5:17) Prophet Jesus (PBUH) said: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them.
That, no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the burden (sins) of another. And that man can have nothing but what he does (of good and bad). And that his deeds will be seen, Then he will be recompensed with a full and the best recompense [fair] (Quran 53:38-41) And no bearer of burdens shall bear anothers burden. (Quran 35:18) Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger. (Quran 17:15) Every human being is responsible for his or her actions and is born as a Muslim (submitted to Gods will), pure and free from sin. However, if he commits wrong and feels ashamed and turns to Allah with remorse, He forgives his sins. God, The All Wise, invites Muslims to enjoin good and forbid evil. Because we exercise free will, by resisting the temptation of Satan, we can attain a greater level of honor. Moreover, Islam does not give Satan any share of Gods divinity. It does not attribute to him any godlike or divine qualities. Islam rejects the notion that Satan went to war with God and took a third of the hosts of Heaven with him. Satan is an avowed enemy of humanity, but he (Satan) is merely a creature, absolutely dependent upon God for his very existence. [NOTE: In doing so, it is ultimately left to the readers whom God has bestowed with intellect that distinguishes them from all other creatures to Ponder, Analyze, Evaluate and then Decide for themselves.]
14 REFERENCES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. http://www.questionsonislam.com/article/prophet-adam-peace-be-upon-him http://www.monthlycrescent.com/story-of-prophets/hazrat-adam-the-first-man-first-prophet/ http://www.inter-islam.org/Biographies/adam.html http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=175&chapter=21 http://ql4u.blogspot.com/2009/03/adam-and-eve-accourding-to-quran-and.html http://www.missionislam.com/comprel/orignal%20sin.htm http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/1190/viewall/ thehttp://www.almasjid.com/content/story_adam_and_eve.htm http://www.gawaher.com/topic/740719-original-sin/ http://bama.ua.edu/~msa/adam.html http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/629/ http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/679/ http://alkhilafah.net/man.html http://www.leveltruth.com