2. ADAM’S a.s. EVICTION FROM PARADISE

 
STORIES OF THE PROPHETS

IN AL-QURAN

(Lessons that we can extract, lessons that we can apply)

(Teaser extraction from the book)

When Allah s.w.t. created Adam a.s. and breathed His spirit into him, He ordered the Angels and Iblis to prostrate (as a symbol of honor, not as an act of worship) to Adam a.s.  Iblis was one of the good Jinn who did not disobey Allah s.w.t., so he was honored with a place in heaven with the Angels although he was never one of the Angels.

After being cursed by Allah s.w.t. for his arrogance and disobedience, Iblis avowed to mislead Adam a.s. and all the descendants of Adam a.s. till the Day of Judgment.  But Iblis has no physical power or authority over man, only strong powers of persuasion, deceit and empty promises.

From the very beginning that Adam a.s. was created, he was taught by Allah s.w.t.  Thus he was created informed and knowledgeable.  Allah s.w.t. bestowed him with knowledge such that he would know more than the Angels.  Allah s.w.t. created Adam a,s, not only in good physical form but also endowed him with a soul, good manners, intellect and knowledge.  The knowledge Allah s.w.t. bestowed upon Adam a.s surpassed that of the Angels.

For a while, Adam a.s. lived in Paradise, but he was lonely.  One day, while Adam a.s. was sleeping, Allah s.w.t. took one of his left ribs and created Hawa’ (Eve) from it.  She was called Hawa’ because she was created from a living creature, and the word Hawa’ comes from the root word Hayy in Arabic, meaning alive.  Everything in Paradise was allowed except the fruit from one particular tree that Allah s.w.t. had forbidden.

Iblis managed to convince Adam and Hawa’ that they would become immortal if they ate from the forbidden tree.  He told them that Allah s.w.t. forbade them to eat from the tree to prevent them from becoming an immortal Angels.  Hawa’ succumbed to Iblis’ temptation and ate from the forbidden tree.  She then persuaded Adam a.s. to do the same.  Iblis had tricked Adam a.s. and Hawa’ and they both immediately felt ashamed of their nudity.  Adam a.s. confessed to Allah s.w.t. and regretted his transgression.  Adam a.s. is evicted from Paradise together with Hawa’.

To be continued…

(Enjoy and read the full version from the book)