Comparative Index to Islam : ADAM
Table of Contents
ADAM
Heb: 'adam
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Gk: Adam
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Corresponds to the same in the Bible, the first man. There is also a city in Jordan city. Adam is called the Chosen of God, and the first prophet in Islam.
- angels commanded to prostrate before, al-Baqarah 2:34; al-A`raf 7:11.
- banished from Garden, al-Baqarah 2:36; al-A`raf 7:24
- created to be 90 ft tall and height of man decreasing since,
- fall of mankind written in his fate, Sahih Bukhari 4.621.
- God breathed Spirit into, al-Hijr 15:29. cf. Genesis 2:7.
- God created upon his own form. hadith: "God created Adam upon his own form" (++source?++) cf. Genesis 1:27.
- missing ibn Adam Verse, see VERSES, The Missing ibn Adam Verse.
- quarrel with Moses in paradise, Sahih Bukhari 4.621, Sahih Bukhari 6.260, Sahih Bukhari 6.262. We are also told that quarrelsome man is most hated in Allah's sight, Sahih Bukhari 6.48.
- sin of Adam, al-A`raf 7:20-23.
- tree of knowledge, al-Baqarah 2:35; al-A`raf 7:19; Ta Ha 20:120-121. cf. Genesis 2:17, 3:1-24.
- tricked by Satan, al-Baqarah 2:36; al-A`raf 7:20,22. cf. Genesis 3.
- warned not to go near tree of knowledge lest he become a wrong-doer, al-A`raf 7:19.
- anyone entering paradise will resemble Adam in appearance and size, Sahih Bukhari 4.543
- al-Baqarah 2:30-39; l 'Imran 3:33,59; al-Ma'idah 5:27; al-A`raf 7:11,19-27; bani Isra'il 17:61,70; al-Kahf 18:50; Maryam 19:58; Ta Ha 20:115-123; al-Mu'min 40:31; Ha Mim Sajdah 41:13,15
The Qur'an states that all except Iblis (Satan) obeyed. Interestingly, it is not a sin for the angels to prostrate before Adam. This issue is discussed in detail in the article One Adam or Two? Further problems in the story of the creation and fall of Adam are outlined in Allah, Adam, and the Angels.
Narrated Abu Huraira:Scientifically, the last statement is no longer true. Humans, by virtue of better nutrition have been growing taller than their parents and grandparents, and not decreasing in stature. The Qur'an doesn't say at what rate people are getting shorter. Archaeology has not shown that man is getting shorter. The contrary is probably true. For a detailed discussion, see Muhammad and the ‘90 feet tall’ Adam.
The Prophet said, "Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall. When He created him, He said to him, "Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting (salutation) and the greeting (salutations) of your offspring." So, Adam said (to the angels), As-Salamu Alaikum (i.e. Peace be upon you). The angels said, "As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatu-l-lahi" (i.e. Peace and Allah's Mercy be upon you). Thus the angels added to Adam's salutation the expression, 'Wa Rahmatu-l-lahi,' Any person who will enter Paradise will resemble Adam (in appearance and figure). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam's creation. (Sahih Bukhari 4.543. also Sahih Bukhari 8.246 )
Muslims believed that this is not sin, but a trickery of Satan. Adam's confession in the Qur'an :
They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! (al-A`raf 7:23)however shows that Adam knew that if God does not forgive him, he will be lost, cf. Genesis 3. Muslims, however, believe that Adam was forgiven by Allah for his "mistake". However, even though this was forgiven, Adam and Eve (and their posterity) were not allowed back into heaven.
Muslims, however, deny that Adam sinned, asserting instead, that he was merely tricked by Satan and it does not constitute a sin. In al-A`raf 7:19, however, God warns Adam not to go near the tree of knowledge lest be become a wrong-doer. (Wrong-doing folk is a term used for disbelievers). It is a Muslim belief that prophets may make mistakes, but commit no sin.
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