Adam, the first man

Welcome! In this course, you will discover the stories of eight prophets. Prophets are men chosen by Allah to teach people to worship Allah alone and to do good. When we say the name of a prophet, we add "'alayhi s-salaam", "peace be upon him". And for our Prophet Muhammad, we say "ṣalla llaahu 'alayhi wa sallam" (ﷺ).

All these stories come from the Qur'an and from the authentic sayings of the Prophet ﷺ. Allah says: "We tell you the best of stories" (meaning of verse 12:3).

The story of Adam

Allah told the angels that He was going to place on Earth a khaliifa, someone who would take care of it (2:30). Allah created Adam from earth (from clay), then gave him life (15:28-29).

Allah taught Adam the names of all things. The angels did not know them. This is how Allah showed them that Adam had been given knowledge (2:31-33).

Allah asked the angels to bow down before Adam, to honour him. They all did, except Iblis, who was proud. He said: "I am better than him!" (2:34; 7:11-12). It was pride that ruined him.

Adam and his wife lived in Paradise. They could eat from everything except one tree. But Satan tricked them by whispering, and they ate from the tree (7:19-22).

What they did next is very important: they did not blame others. They said sorry to Allah: رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ Rabbanaa ẓalamnaa anfusanaa wa in lam taghfir lanaa wa tarḥamnaa lanakuunanna mina l-khaasiriin "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be among the losers." (7:23)

And Allah forgave them (2:37). Then Adam came down to Earth, where he lived with his family: all human beings are his children.

What I learn: when I do something wrong, I do not act like Iblis, who was proud. I act like Adam: I admit my mistake and ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah loves to forgive.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The story of Adam first teaches us that Allah honoured human beings. He gave them knowledge, and He says: "We have honoured the children of Adam" (meaning of part of 17:70). So every person, whatever their colour or language, deserves respect.

In this story there are two very different mistakes. Iblis disobeyed out of pride: he compared himself to Adam, thought he was better, and never wanted to admit his fault. Adam and his wife made a mistake too, but they regretted it straight away and asked for forgiveness. What matters is not never making mistakes: it is what we do afterwards.

The word "khalifah" means that Adam and his children were given a mission: to take care of the Earth. Trees, water and animals are entrusted to us.

Finally, since all humans are the children of Adam, we are one big family. Allah says He made us into peoples and tribes "so that you may get to know one another" (meaning of part of 49:13).

Lessons to draw from it • When I make a mistake, I don't look for excuses: I say sorry to Allah and to the people concerned. • I don't think I am better than others: pride was the ruin of Iblis. • I take care of the Earth, the plants and the animals that Allah has entrusted to us. • I respect every person, because we are all children of Adam.

Key points to remember • Adam is the first man and the first prophet; Allah taught him the names of all things (2:31). • Adam and his wife asked for forgiveness: رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا… (7:23), and Allah forgave them (2:37).

The main message Everyone makes mistakes; the most important thing is to admit your mistake and ask for forgiveness, like Adam.