The Creation of Adam: Allah's Plan for the Earth’s Vicegerent
In the heavens, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) revealed to the angels that He would appoint a Khalifah, a vicegerent or ruler, on Earth. This figure would be a successor who would live on the Earth, generation after generation.
Surah Baqarah (2:30):
“And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.’ They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ Allah said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’”
The angels, despite their purity and obedience to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), questioned this decision, not out of defiance, but in wonder. They were curious about Allah’s choice, as they only saw humans potentially spreading corruption. Yet Allah’s wisdom surpasses all understanding, and He assured them that His knowledge was beyond theirs.
In Islam, angels are seen as beings created from light, obedient to Allah’s commands, never straying from their appointed roles. The Qur'an paints a vivid picture of their devotion:
- Surah Tahrim (66:6): "Angels who do not disobey Allah in whatever He commands them and who perform whatever they are commanded."
- Surah An-Nahl (16:49-50): “And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures, and the angels [as well], and they are not arrogant. They fear their Lord above them and do what they are commanded.”
The angels’ question in Surah Baqarah (2:30) was a search for understanding, not an expression of disobedience. Allah’s response was clear: "I know that which you do not know." The angels, acknowledging their limited knowledge, humbly replied, "Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us." (Surah Baqarah, 2:32)
The Creation of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) created Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) from clay, gathering material from different parts of the earth. This clay reflected the diversity of mankind's physical features, including skin colors, and other traits. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) confirmed this in a narration: “Allah Most High created Adam from a handful that He took from all of the earth. So the children of Adam come in according with the earth, some of them red, white, black, and in between.” (Tirmidhi 2955)
Additionally, in Sahih Bukhari 3326, it is said that Adam was initially created 60 cubits tall, and all humans would resemble his form in Paradise. Over time, human stature gradually decreased.
Hadith from Sahih Muslim 2789:
Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was created on a Friday after Asr. Allah announced His creation of man to the angels, commanding them to prostrate once He had breathed life into him.
For forty years, Adam remained a lifeless figure made of clay, while the angels, including Iblis, observed. Iblis, in particular, harbored resentment, seeing the clay figure as a sign of weakness. He would mock it, saying, “You are nothing!” Yet, as Allah’s plan unfolded, Adam’s creation marked the beginning of mankind.
The Breathing of Life into Adam and the Prostration of the Angels
When the soul was breathed into Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he came to life and sneezed, saying, “Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah).” (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3367). At that moment, all the angels prostrated before Adam in obedience to Allah’s command, except for Iblis. Iblis, consumed with arrogance, refused to bow to a being he considered inferior.
The Qur’an tells us:
Surah Al-Hijr (15:31-32): "So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely, except Iblis; he refused to be with those who prostrated."
While the verse suggests that Iblis was an angel, this is clarified in Surah Al-Kahf (18:50), where Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) states, “He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord.” Iblis’ refusal to prostrate was rooted in his pride, believing he was superior to Adam, whom Allah had created from clay, while he himself was made from fire.
Iblis’s Arrogance and the Fall from Grace
When Allah questioned Iblis about his refusal, Iblis responded with defiance, saying, “I am better than he. You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.” (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:12). This statement exemplified Iblis’s arrogance, which led to his fall from grace. Allah’s anger was evident as He commanded Iblis to depart, declaring him cursed for his disobedience.
Iblis begged for respite, requesting to be allowed to live until the Day of Judgment. Allah granted him this request, but warned him that he would have no power over His chosen servants. Iblis vowed to mislead humanity, but Allah promised that only the deviants would follow him. The rest would remain protected, finding their way to Heaven through the straight path.
Adam’s Greeting to the Angels
After receiving life, Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was introduced to the heavenly assembly of angels. Allah instructed him to greet them with, “As-salaamu alaikum (peace be upon you).” The angels responded, “Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah (And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah).” This greeting became the established form of peace among humans, as passed down to Adam's descendants. (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3367)
The Gift of Knowledge to Adam
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) distinguished Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) from all other creations by granting him the ability to reason, perceive, and acquire knowledge. He was taught the names of everything—a gift that gave him insight into the nature of creation. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:31): “And He taught Adam the names – all of them.”
This knowledge encompassed the names of all things, from humans to animals to celestial bodies, along with their attributes. Scholars suggest that Adam’s ability to name things allowed him to communicate effectively, marking the beginning of language and human interaction. Allah’s gift to Adam was not merely knowledge, but the ability to pass this wisdom on to his descendants, emphasizing the importance of learning and sharing knowledge.
In this way, Adam's creation not only marks the beginning of humanity but also lays the foundation for human progress, through the pursuit of knowledge and the exercising of free will.
The creation of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) represents the initiation of mankind’s journey on Earth as Allah’s vicegerent. Through Adam’s story, we learn the importance of humility, obedience to Allah’s will, and the pursuit of knowledge. The narrative underscores the contrast between the submission of the angels and the arrogance of Iblis, setting the stage for humanity’s role on Earth. It is a reminder that Allah’s wisdom and knowledge far exceed human understanding, and His plan for creation is always perfect and just.