Adam opened his eyes and saw the beautiful face of a woman looking at him. He was surprised and asked why the Lord created her. Eve replied: to brighten the loneliness of Adam and bring peace to his life. The angels asked Adam: “Who is this?” (They knew that Adam possesses knowledge, inaccessible to them and necessary for living on Earth). Adam replied: “This is Eve.”
Eve (Hawa in Arabic) has the root “hai” – living. The Russian version – Eva – also comes from the Hebrew name Hawwa, which means “life, living.” The woman was part of Adam, and he was a living being. So the name of Eve appeared.
Both Christian and Jewish sources agree that the Lord created Eve from the rib of Adam, although according to Jewish traditions, sometimes the word edge is used in the meaning of the side.
‘O people! Fear your Lord (Allah) who created you from one person, created from him a couple of him and settled many men and women “(Quran 4: 1).
As narrated by Prophet Muhammad’s hadeeth, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while Adam slept, the Lord created Eve from the left, shortest rib. After a while, bone was clothed with flesh. Telling the story of the creation of Eve from the rib, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stressed the importance of taking care of the woman:
“Treat women well, because a woman is created from a rib, and the most curved part of the rib is the top, so if you try to straighten it, it will break; But if you leave it as it is, it will be curved. Therefore, treat women well “(Saheeh al-Bukhari).
Life in Paradise
In the gardens of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in complete tranquility. There is no discrepancy between Jews, Christians and Muslims. According to Islam, the whole Paradise was at their disposal. The Lord said to Adam:
“O Adam! Have sat down in Paradise together with the spouse. Eat wherever you want … “(Quran 2:35).
The Quran does not disclose the exact location of Paradise, but interpreters unanimously believe that it is not on Earth, and that knowledge of whereabouts is not so important to a person. It is important that what happened there is a lesson for people.
Allah Almighty continues:
“… but do not approach this tree, or else you will be among the wicked” (Quran 2:35).
In the Quran you will not find the description of that tree, because knowledge about it does not bring the slightest benefit. All that matters is the quiet life of Adam and Eve in paradise and the prohibition to approach the tree. But Satan was aware of human weakness and looked forward to the opportunity to use it.
Who is Iblis (Satan)
Iblis (Satan) is one of the jinn. The Lord created them from the fire. Jinns do not resemble people or angels. Nevertheless, like people, they are able to reflect and make a choice between good and evil. The world of the jinns existed long before the creation of Adam, and Iblis was the most righteous among them. So righteous that he held a high position among the angels.
“All the angels fell down before one, with the exception of Iblis, who refused to be among the fallen prostrate. Allah says: “O Iblees! Why are you not among the fallen prostrate? “He said:” It is not fitting for me to prostrate myself before the man whom You created from the dry ringing clay derived from the modified mud. ” He said: “Get out of here. From now on you are banished and beaten. And the curse will be upon you until the Day of Atonement “(Quran 15: 30-35).
The role of Iblis (Satan)
There, in Paradise, Iblees vowed to bring Adam and Eve out of the direct path, as well as their descendants. Iblis said:
“Because you have caused me, I will surely sit against them in Your straight path. And then I will approach them in front and behind, on the right and on the left, and You will not find most of them grateful “(Quran 7: 16-17).
Haughty Iblees considered himself better than Adam and all people. He knew what human weakness was. His cunning and cunning skillfully directed human desires into the necessary Iblis channel. Iblis longed for Adam and Eve to disobey the Almighty, but go and say directly: “Taste from the fruit of the tree” was not in his rules. Iblis acted differently. Gradually whispering, he sowed anxious thoughts in the hearts of Adam and Eve: ‘… Your Lord has forbidden you this tree only so that you will not become angels or immortal’ (Quran 7:20).
He whispered until the thoughts of the tree completely mastered the consciousness of Adam and Eve, and they, under the influence of Iblis’ suggestions, decided to taste the fruit of the forbidden tree – thereby disobeying the Lord. Adam and Eve were human beings, and it is common for all people to be wrong.
The temptation of Adam and Eve is the moment in which the teachings of Islam diverge with the teachings of Christianity and Judaism. Neither the Qur’an (the words of Allah) nor the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) speak of the acceptance of Iblis (Satan) as a serpent.
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Islam does not say that Eve was weaker than Adam or persuaded him to disobey God. Having tasted the forbidden fruit, they both made a mistake. Responsibility for this act is borne by both to the same extent. In Islam there is no concept of original sin as in Christianity. The descendants of Adam can not be condemned for an act committed by their ancestors. It was a great mistake, which, through His boundless Grace, the Lord forgave them both.