Announcement of Creation of Adam (Pbh):
Quranic Verses on the Creation of Adam (Peace be upon him)
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30):
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.’ They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ Allah said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'”
In this verse, Allah informs the angels about His intention to create Adam (Peace be upon him) as a vicegerent (khalifah) on Earth. The angels express concern about the potential for corruption and bloodshed, but Allah reassures them of His divine wisdom.
Surah Al-Hijr (15:28-29):
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud. And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.'”
These verses describe the process of Adam’s (Peace be upon him) creation from clay and the divine command to the angels to prostrate before him after Allah breathed His spirit into Adam (Peace be upon him). This act of prostration was a sign of respect and acknowledgment of Adam’s (Peace be upon him) special status among creation.
Surah Sad (38:71-72):
“[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.'”
These verses similarly highlight Allah’s announcement to the angels about the creation of Adam (Peace be upon him) and the command for the angels to prostrate before him after his creation was completed.
Hadith References on the Creation of Adam (Peace be upon him)
Sahih Muslim (Book 46, Hadith 7016):
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, created Adam (Peace be upon him) in His image with His length of sixty cubits… Everyone who would enter Paradise would be of the shape and picture of Adam (Peace be upon him). People have been decreasing in stature since Adam (Peace be upon him)’s creation.”
This hadith emphasizes the noble creation of Adam (Peace be upon him) and indicates that humans were initially created in a perfect form.
Sahih Bukhari (Book 55, Hadith 543):
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him), 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 and the greeting of your offspring.’ So, Adam (Peace be upon him) said (to the angels), ‘As-Salamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you).’ The angels said, ‘As-Salamu Alaika wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon you).’ Thus, the greeting of the offspring of Adam (Peace be upon him) was set.”
This hadith details a specific moment following Adam’s (Peace be upon him) creation, highlighting the establishment of greetings, which reflects the dignity and respect embedded in human interactions from the very beginning.
Sunan Abi Dawood (Book 41, Hadith 5090):
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ashari: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him) from a handful of dust taken from different lands, so the children of Adam (Peace be upon him) have been created according to the composition of the land. Therefore, from mankind we have white, red, black, and yellow ones; we have good and evil, ease and sorrow, and what comes in between them.”
This hadith explains the diversity found within the human race as a result of the varied materials used in Adam’s (Peace be upon him) creation, emphasizing the unity and diversity of mankind.
Before the creation of Adam (Peace be upon him), Allah sent Angel Jibreel to the earth to bring Soil from the earth’s surface, so Jibreel bought Soil from the earth’s surface, then Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him) from Soil as a statue then Allah entered the Soul (Ruh) of Adam (Peace be upon him) in the Statue from legs to the head. As soon as the Soul (Ruh) entered the Body, The Adam (Peace be upon him) (the first human) was created.
Allah’s command to bow down before Adam (Peace be upon him):
Quranic References
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:34):
“And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam (Peace be upon him)’; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.”
This verse illustrates the command given by Allah to the angels to bow down to Adam (Peace be upon him) as a sign of respect and acknowledgment of his status as the first human and Allah’s creation. All angels obeyed except Iblees (Satan), who refused out of arrogance, resulting in his expulsion from Allah’s grace.
Surah Al-A’raf (7:11-12):
“And We have certainly created you, [O Mankind], and given you [human] form. Then We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam (Peace be upon him)’; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated. [Allah] said, ‘What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?’ [Satan] said, ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.'”
This passage further elaborates on Iblees’s refusal, showcasing his pride and belief in his superiority over Adam (Peace be upon him) because of his origin from fire, unlike Adam (Peace be upon him) who was created from clay.
Surah Sad (38:71-74):
“[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.’ So the angels prostrated – all of them entirely, except Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.”
Here, the narrative is detailed with the creation of Adam (Peace be upon him) and the subsequent command to prostrate. It emphasizes that the prostration was to show respect for Allah’s command and not for Adam (Peace be upon him) himself.
Hadith References
Several Hadiths also discuss this event, often highlighting the consequences of Iblees’s refusal to obey Allah’s command and the resulting punishment.
Sahih Muslim, Book 39, Hadith 6762:
It was narrated that Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him) and breathed soul into him, he sneezed and said: ‘Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah).’ So he praised Allah by His permission. His Lord said to him: ‘May Allah have mercy on you, O Adam (Peace be upon him). Go to those angels, and see what they would say.’ So Adam (Peace be upon him) went to the angels and greeted them, and they replied: ‘May peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah.’ Then, his Lord said to him: ‘This is your greeting and that of your offspring among them.’ Then Allah said to him, while His hands were closed: ‘Choose which of them you wish.’ Adam (Peace be upon him) said: ‘I choose the right hand, and both hands of my Lord are blessed.
Then He opened it, and there was Adam (Peace be upon him) and his offspring in it. He said: ‘What do you see?’ He said: ‘They are their figures.’ And every person of them had a date of life written between his eyes. Among them was a man who was the brightest of them (or one of the brightest). Adam (Peace be upon him) said: ‘O my Lord! Who is this?’ He said: ‘This is your son Dawud (David); I have written for him forty years of age.’ Adam (Peace be upon him) said: ‘O my Lord! Add to his age.’ He said: ‘That is what I have written for him.’ He said: ‘O my Lord! Give him sixty years from my age.’ He said: ‘Then you will have it.’ So he gave him sixty years of his life.
So Allah wrote this and made it bear witness. Then, when Adam (Peace be upon him)’s life came to an end, the angel of death came to him, and he said: ‘Do I not have forty years remaining in my life?’ He said: ‘Did you not give them to your son Dawud?’ Adam (Peace be upon him) denied it, so his offspring denied it, and Adam (Peace be upon him) forgot, and his offspring forgot; Adam (Peace be upon him) sinned, so his offspring sinned.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 3277:
Narrated by Abu Huraira: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him), 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 and the greeting of your offspring.” So, Adam (Peace be upon him) said (to the angels), “As-Salamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you).” The angels said, “As-salamu Alaika wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon you).” Thus, the angels added to Adam’s (Peace be upon him) greeting the expression, ‘Wa Rahmatullah.’ So, anyone who will enter Paradise will be of the shape and picture of Adam (Peace be upon him). Since then, the creation of Adam (Peace be upon him)’s (offspring) (i.e., the stature of human beings) is being diminished continuously up to the present time.'”
How Eve (Hawa) (Peace be upon him) was created:
The Quranic Perspective
The Quran provides insight into the creation of humanity and the purpose behind creating Eve (Hawa) (Peace be upon her) from Adam (Peace be upon him):
- Companionship and Partnership: The Quran mentions the creation of Eve indirectly when referring to the creation of humanity from a single soul:
- Surah An-Nisa (4:1):
“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.”
- This verse emphasizes that God created humanity from a single soul Adam (Peace be upon him) and then created his mate (Eve) (Peace be upon her) from him. This highlights the purpose of companionship and partnership in life.
- Creation from a Single Soul:
- Surah Al-A’raf (7:189):
“It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her.”
- This verse further clarifies that Eve was created from Adam (Peace be upon him) so that they could live together in tranquillity and harmony. The emphasis is on the unity of the human race, beginning with the creation of Adam (Peace be upon him) and Eve.
Hadith Perspective
The Hadith literature provides additional details about the creation of Eve (Peace be upon her) and her role:
- Creation from Adam’s (Peace be upon him) Rib:
- Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3331) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1468):
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Treat women kindly. The woman has been created from a rib, and the most curved part of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break. If you leave it as it is, it will remain curved. So treat women kindly.”
- This hadith indicates that Eve was created from Adam’s (Peace be upon him) rib, symbolizing her close connection to him. The “curved rib” metaphor is often understood to highlight the unique nature of women and the importance of treating them with kindness and understanding.
- Purpose of Creation:
- Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5186):
“If you do not provide women with good company and kind treatment, you will break them, and breaking them is like breaking a rib.”
- This hadith reinforces the idea that women should be treated with gentleness and respect, reflecting the compassionate nature of their creation and their role as partners to men.
- Life of Adam (Peace be upon him) and Eve in the Heavens:
Forbidden Fruit and Adam (Peace be upon him):
Quranic Verses
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:35-36):
“And We said, ‘O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.’ But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, ‘Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.'”
Surah Al-A’raf (7:19-22):
“And [We said], ‘O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will, but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.’ But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, ‘Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal.’ And he swore [by Allah] to them, ‘Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors.’ So he made them fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And their Lord called to them, ‘Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to you a clear enemy?'”
Surah Ta-Ha (20:120-121):
“Then Satan whispered to him; he said, ‘O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?’ And Adam and his wife ate of it, and their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred.”
Hadith References
Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3332):
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Adam and Moses argued with each other. Moses said to Adam, ‘O Adam! You are our father who disappointed us and turned us out of Paradise.’ Then Adam said to him, ‘O Moses! Allah favored you with His talk (talked to you directly), and He wrote (the Torah) for you with His own Hand. Do you blame me for action which Allah had decreed for me forty years before my creation?’ So Adam confuted Moses, Adam confuted Moses.”
Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2749):
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Adam (Peace be upon him) and Moses held a disputation in the presence of their Lord. Adam (Peace be upon him) got the better of Moses. Moses said: ‘Are you that Adam (Peace be upon him) whom Allah created with His Hand and breathed into him of His spirit, and commanded Angels (to fall in prostration before you) and made you live in Paradise? Then you caused the people to get down to the earth because of your lapse.’ Adam (Peace be upon him) said: ‘Are you that Moses whom Allah selected for His Messengership and for His conversation, and He revealed to you the Torah? Was I created for the action which I committed, or for that which had been predetermined for me?’ At that moment, Adam (Peace be upon him) got the better of Moses.”
The story of Adam’s (Peace be upon him) disobedience is a profound lesson on free will, repentance, and the mercy of Allah. Adam (Peace be upon him) and Eve were placed in Paradise and were allowed to eat from any tree except one. Despite being warned, they were deceived by Satan and ate from the forbidden tree, which led to their expulsion from Paradise.
This narrative illustrates several key themes in Islamic teachings:
- Free Will and Accountability: Adam (Peace be upon him) and Eve’s decision to eat from the forbidden tree demonstrates the concept of free will given to humans. They were not forced into disobedience; rather, they chose to act against Allah’s command. This choice brought about their accountability and the consequence of being sent down to Earth.
- Repentance and Forgiveness: Despite their disobedience, Adam (Peace be upon him) and Eve sought Allah’s forgiveness, and He accepted their repentance. This act of repentance highlights that even when humans err, Allah’s mercy is vast, and sincere repentance can lead to forgiveness. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:37), Allah says, “Then Adam (Peace be upon him) received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”
- The Role of Satan: The story also sheds light on the nature of Satan as an enemy to humankind. He seeks to lead humans astray by exploiting their weaknesses, as he did with Adam (Peace be upon him) and Eve. Allah warns humans about Satan’s enmity and deceitful nature, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant and obedient to Allah’s commands.
The Story of Qabil and Habil, Sons of Adam (Peace be upon him):
In the Quran, Allah Almighty says:
“And recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons (Qabil and Habil) in truth: When they both offered a sacrifice to Allah, it was accepted from one of them and not accepted from the other. The rejected one, Qabil, said to Habil, ‘I will surely kill you.’ Habil replied, ‘Allah only accepts from those who are righteous. If you stretch out your hand to kill me, I will not stretch out my hand to kill you. Indeed, I fear Allah, the Lord of all worlds. I wish for you to bear my sin as well as your own sin, and you will be among the companions of the Fire. That is the recompense for wrongdoers.’
But Qabil’s soul prompted him to kill his brother, and he killed him, becoming among the losers. Then Allah sent a crow that began to scratch the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace of his brother. Qabil said, ‘Woe to me! Have I even failed to be like this crow and hide the disgrace of my brother?’ And he became remorseful.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:27-31)
The scholars (interpreters of the Quran) elaborate that in Surah Al-Ma’idah, Allah presents the example of the sons of Adam (Peace be upon him) to remind us of certain truths. This narrative illustrates the significance of sincerity and devotion in acts of worship and obedience to Allah. The story also highlights the grave consequences of jealousy and sin. The remorse and regret felt by Qabil after killing his brother serve as a powerful lesson on the destructive nature of envy and the importance of repentance and humility.
The Death of Hazrat Adam (PBUH) and His Bequest to His Son, Hazrat Shees (PBUH)
The name Shees means “the gift of God.” Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) named him so because he was granted to Adam (Peace be upon him) after his son Habil was killed. Hazrat Hawa (Eve) bore him twins multiple times, but Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) was born without a twin, which is a unique event.
According to a narration by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), when Adam (Peace be upon him) was about to die, he called Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) and taught him some divine commands that were revealed to him and gave him instructions. Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) was the worthy heir of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), and only he could convey these divine commands after Adam (Peace be upon him)’s passing.
When the time of Hazrat Adam’s (Peace Be Upon Him) death approached, he gathered his children and conveyed some instructions regarding the fulfillment of religious duties. He advised Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) to perform worship at night and pray with all his might. He also emphasized that after his death, there would be a great storm and flood, and it is important to save people from it. Hazrat Adam (Peace be upon him) also instructed his son Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) to teach people about the true religion and to stay away from idolatry and immorality.
After the death of Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) carefully followed these divine teachings and kept people on the right path. Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) was exceptionally pious and righteous. Additionally, other than him, no one else could be the messenger after Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him).
It is said that the day of Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him)’s passing was Friday. After his death, Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) wrote down some divine instructions that were revealed to him. He also preserved them for future generations, guiding them on the path of righteousness and keeping them away from evil. Hazrat Adam (Peace be upon him) had informed Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) of these divine revelations, and Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) conveyed these teachings to his people accordingly.
When Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was about to pass away, he called his children to him. He saw a group of people in white garments. Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) asked, “Who are you?” The angels replied (as mentioned in Ibn Kathir’s narration), “We are the angels sent by your Lord. We have come to take your soul.”
Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) said to his son, “O my son, bring me some fruits from Paradise.” So Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) went out to get the fruits of Paradise, but on his way, he encountered the angels who were carrying shrouds and fragrances from Paradise. They said, “O Shees! Return, for what you seek is no longer available.”
Upon his return, Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) found that Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) had already passed away. At that moment, the angels prepared Hazrat Adam’s (Peace Be Upon Him) body for burial. Hazrat Gabriel (Peace Be Upon Him) said to Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him), “O Shees, go and collect wood.”
Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) did as instructed, and when the wood was ready, Hazrat Gabriel (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “O Shees, now perform the ablution (washing of the body) of Hazrat Adam (Peace Be Upon Him).” Hazrat Gabriel (Peace Be Upon Him) taught him how to perform the funeral rites and said, “This is your tradition and the tradition of your descendants.”
After Hazrat Adam’s (Peace be upon him) burial, Hazrat Gabriel (Peace Be Upon Him) addressed the other angels, “Now you should go back, and the earthly children of Adam (Peace be upon him) will perform the burial rituals from now on.” Following this, the angels departed, and Hazrat Shees (Peace Be Upon Him) continued the legacy of Hazrat Adam (Peace be upon him).
Some Frequently asked questions about Adam (Peace Be Upon Him):
Question: Who was the first person on earth?
Answer: Prophet Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was the First Person on earth.
Question: What is the meaning of Adam (Peace be upon him)?
Answer: The name “Adam (Peace be upon him)” is often derived from the Arabic word “Adim” (أديم), which means “surface of the earth” or “soil”. This is based on the concept that Prophet Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was created from dust or clay gathered from different parts of the earth. The Quran mentions this origin in several verses:
- Quran 3:59: “Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam (Peace be upon him). He created Him from dust; then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.”
- Quran 15:26: “And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.”
In Hebrew, the name “Adam” (אָדָם) also means “man” or “humankind,” and it is closely related to the Hebrew word for “ground” (אֲדָמָה, “Adamah”). This similarity emphasizes Adam’s creation from the earth, aligning with Islamic and Judeo-Christian narratives.
Question: How old was Adam(Peace Be Upon Him) when he died?
Answer: A well-known hadith mentions the age of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) as 960 years. According to a narration found in the collections of Hadith, when Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him), He wrote down the lifespans of Adam (Peace be upon him) and his descendants. Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) was initially given a lifespan of 1,000 years. However, he is said to have given 40 years of his life to Prophet David (Peace Be Upon Him) as an act of charity or divine will. Thus, Adam (Peace be upon him) lived for 960 years.
Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 4262) narrates:
“Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him), and He wiped his back, and every person that He created from his offspring until the Day of Resurrection fell out from his back. He placed between the eyes of every person a flash of light, then showed them to Adam (Peace be upon him). He (Adam (Peace be upon him)) said: ‘O Lord! Who are these?’ He (Allah) said: ‘These are your offspring.’ He saw one of them whose light he liked, and he said: ‘O Lord! Who is this?’ He said: ‘This is a man from the latter generations of your offspring, called Dawud (David).’ He said: ‘Lord! How many years will he live?’ He said: ‘Sixty years.’ He said: ‘O Lord! Give him forty of my years.'”
This exchange indicates that Adam’s (Peace be upon him) life span was 960 years after giving away 40 years to David.
Many Islamic scholars and historians, like Ibn Kathir in his book “Stories of the Prophets”, have also mentioned that Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) lived for 960 years.
Based on the above information, Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) lived 960 years.
Question: How Tall was Adam (Peace be upon him)
Answer: Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was approximately 90 feet tall, or about 27.4 meters
Adam’s (Peace be upon him) Height in Hadith
- Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3326) narrates:
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “Allah created Adam (Peace be upon him), making him 60 cubits tall. Then He said, ‘Go and greet that group of angels, and listen to their reply, for it will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.’ So, Adam (Peace be upon him) said (to the angels), ‘As-Salamu Alaikum (peace be upon you).’ The angels said, ‘As-Salamu Alaika wa Rahmatullah (peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you).’ Thus, the angels added to Adam (Peace be upon him)’s salutation, ‘wa Rahmatullah.’ So, whoever will enter Paradise will be of the shape and picture of Adam (Peace be upon him). Since then, the creation of Adam (Peace be upon him)’s (offspring) (i.e., stature of human beings) has been diminished continuously up to the present time.”
Understanding the Measurement
- Measurement in Cubits:
- The hadith states that Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was created 60 cubits tall. A cubit is an ancient unit of length based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. While the exact length of a cubit can vary depending on the culture and period, it is generally estimated to be about 18 inches (approximately 45 centimeters).
Calculating Adam (Peace be upon him)’s Height:
If we use the average cubit measurement of 18 inches, Adam’s (Peace be upon him) height would be 60 cubits×18 inches per cubit=1080 inches Converting inches to feet: 1080 inches / 12 inches per foot = 90 feet Therefore, Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was approximately 90 feet tall, or about 27.4 meters.