History Of Prophet Adam: The First Man On Earth

The story of the creation of the prophet Adam is present in the divine scriptures of Jews, Christians and Muslims. The description of creation is approximately the same in Jewish and Christian sources. According to the Book of Genesis, Adam was created from the “dust of the ground,” while the Talmud claims that the Lord kneaded Adam’s body from the mud. The Islamic version of the creation of Adam is different from the Christian and Jewish. In it we can find many striking details. The Lord says in the Qur’an:

Here is your Lord said to the angels:”

“I will establish the mankind generations after generations on earth. ” They said: “Will you really settle there who will spread ungodliness and shed blood, while we glorify you with praise and sanctify you?” He said: “Verily, I know what you do not know” (Quran 2:30)

So begins the story of Adam, the first man on earth. At the behest of the Lord, the angels descended to earth in order to collect all kinds of soil existing on it: red, white, brown, black; soft and pliable, hard and sandy … Then from a handful of collected soil the Lord made Adam. His descendants were destined to become as diverse as a handful of soil from all over the world, from which their ancestor was created: with different appearance and qualities.

Soil or Clay?

In the Qur’an, the soil from which Adam was created has many names. This to some extent helps us to present the process of its creation. For each stage, a separate soil name is used. What the angels collected throughout the earth is called soil, sometimes the Lord calls it clay. After mixing with water, clay or soil turns into dirt. Then the matter left to dry gets the name “viscous” clay. After some time, it darkens and smells – black smooth clay. It is from this substance that the Lord formed the body of Adam. His soulless body had dried for some time and turned into what is known in the Quran as “sounding clay”. Adam was created from a substance close to pottery clay, which rings when lightly tapped.

First man honored

The Lord told His angels:

“This is your Lord saying to the angels:“ I will make man out of clay. When I give him a proportionate look and breathe into him from My spirit, fall down before him ”(Quran 37: 71-72)

The Lord showed great honor to Adam (AS), the first man. He breathed into him from His spirit, gave it a form with His own hands, and commanded the angels to prostrate themselves before him. The Lord commanded the angels:

“… Then We said to the angels:” prostrate before Adam! “They prostrated and only Iblis (Satan) was not among the worshipers” (Quran 7:11)

Since worship can only be addressed to Allah the Most High, this prostration was a sign of reverence and respect. As soon as the soul entered the body of Adam, he sneezed and said “praise be to Allah”. In response, the Lord endowed him with His Grace. Although this message does not mentioned in the Qur’an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), it is mentioned in some commentaries of the Qur’an. Thus, in the very first seconds of his life, Adam was recognized as a respectable creature, endowed with the infinite mercy of the Lord.

READ MORE: The Essence Of Miracles Performed By The Hands Of The Prophets

According to the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the Lord made Adam like Himself. But this in no way means that Adam looks like the Lord. After all, He is unique in everything. From this tradition, we understand that the Almighty endowed Adam with some of his qualities: mercy, love, free will … Although mercy (like other qualities) of the first person (and people in general) will never even come close to the mercy of the Almighty.

First greeting

By the admonition of the Lord, Adam greeted the angels who sat next to him with the words “Assalamu Alaikum” (Peace to you). The angels answered: “And to you peace and mercy and blessings of Allah.” From this day on, the subordinates of the Most High greet each other in this way. Since the creation of Adam, we, his descendants, have been commissioned to spread the world.

Adam The Caretaker

The Lord told the people that he created them only for worship. Everything in this world was created for Adam and his descendants in order to facilitate their worship of the Most High and the knowledge of Him. The Lord, in His Infinite Wisdom, entrusted Adam (and subsequently all of humanity) with the care of the Earth and taught all the necessary:

“He taught Adam all kinds of names” (Quran 2:31)

The Lord gave Adam the opportunity to name the names of everything that exists on earth. He taught him language, speech, communication. The Lord put into him an unquenchable need and love of knowledge. When Adam recognized the name and purpose of all, the Most High said to the angels:

“Tell me their names if you are telling the truth.” They replied: “You are most pure! We only know what you taught us. Verily, You are the Knower, the Wise ”(Quran 2: 31-32)

The Lord spoke to Adam with the words:

“… O Adam! Tell them about their names. ” When Adam told them about their names, He said: “Didn’t I tell you that I know the secret things in heaven and earth, and I know what you do openly and what you conceal?” (Quran 2:33)

Adam tried to speak to the angels, but they were too busy worshiping. The Lord did not give them any special knowledge or free will, the sole purpose of their existence is to worship and serve the Almighty. In contrast, Adam could contemplate, make choices, give names to various subjects and determine their purpose. This helped prepare Adam for his upcoming mission on Earth. So Adam recognized the names of everything, but he was alone in the Gardens of Paradise, until one morning he woke up and saw a woman staring at him.

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