Most people are familiar with the story of Adam and Eve something which they did not.
id not. Specifically, that Adam has these two things he tempts them with are bad things, and
and “The Tree.” In the Judeo-Christian story, Adam and
Eve ate fruit from the forbidden tree; and this sin would be
the ‘fall of mankind’ for all of humanity. This story,
however, produces a number of questions and
objections. For example,
Why did God create the tree in the first place? Why didn’t
God simply place the tree far away from them so they
couldn’t reach it? If God is so Merciful and so Loving, why
did He create Adam with the ability to be tempted; create
the devil to tempt him with; allow Adam and Eve to eat
from the tree, and then punish them and their
descendants for their unforgivable sin?
In Islam, the story of Adam and Eve throughout the
Qur’an is seen in a very different light
“And remember when your Lord said to the angels:
“Verily, I am going to place a khalifa (deputy) on
earth.....” (Qur’an 2:30)
The first point that should be made clear is that earth
and whatever creatures were on it was already in
existence before the creation of Adam. Second, that from
the Islamic viewpoint we understand God intended for
Adam and his descendants to be placed on earth, as a
deputy, from the very beginning; before Adam committed
any sins.
“....They (angels) said: “ Will you place therein those
who will make mischief therein and shed blood-while
we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify
You.” He (Allah) said: “I know that which you do not
know.” (Qur’an 2:30)
We see here an angelic question inquiring about the
wisdom behind why God wanted to create the humans
and give him authority on earth; which, they noted, would
cause mischief in the land and shed blood. This question
is similar to that which many people are asking: Why did
God create us with the ability to do evil? The Qur’an
presents this very same question to the reader and then
begins to present the answers as you read through its’
verses.
“And He taught Adam all the names of all things, then
He showed them to the angels and said, “tell Me the
names of these things if you are truthful”
“They (angels) said: “Glory be to You, we have no
knowledge except that which you have taught us.
Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise.”
(Qur’an 2:31- 32)
Here we learn about the capacity of Adam’s intellect.
His learning is comprehensive, and he has the ability to
grow in knowledge. Theses verses illustrate that the
angels recognized that Adam has the ability to learn and
grow in knowledge; and in this case, Adam knew
the ability to name things; be it a physical object or even
an emotion; at a relatively higher level compared to the
majority of creatures around him. Through this example
we also see God is nurturing and developing Adam’s
intellect. Following this, God tells the angels to bow
down to Adam, and they do, except for Ibis.
This introduces us to Iblis, or the devil. The Islamic
understanding of Iblis, referred to as Shaytaan (Satan), is
not that he is from amongst the angels, because as we
understood earlier they only can learn whatever
knowledge was bestowed on them. The concept of free
choice is not part of the nature of angels, they do exactly
as they are commanded. Iblis, as the Qur’an tells us
later, is a creation made from fire, called the jinn. They
are a creation similar to the human with free choice and
will have accountability for their actions. Iblis was
honored above the other jinn and was allowed into
heaven with the angels. He does not bow to Adam due
to his own arrogance. He thought himself, made from
fire, superior to Adam who is made from clay, a lowly
material. God then tells Satan to leave the heaven and
from this event, Iblis swears enmity towards the humans:
“My Lord! Give me respite till the Day the (dead) are
resurrected” (38:79)
“By Your Might I will surely mislead them all”
“Except Your sincere slaves amongst the believers”
(38:82-83)
It is also worth clarifying that Shaytaan here is asking
God to allow him to tempt man to drift from the Straight
Path, making his own destructive choice of
disobedience. Since Shaytaan has the choice, God
leaves him to do as he wishes. Therefore we understand
that Shaytaan in the Islamic picture is not a rampaging,
uncontrollable being whom God can’t control. This
increases our understanding of his role in the next stage
of the story: The Tree.
“And We said: “O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in
the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure
and delight, of things therein as wherever you will,
but come not near this tree or you both will be of the
wrongdoers.” (2:35)
Now Eve is also joining in the picture, being the wife
of Adam, and the next stage of preparation for human life
on earth has begun: the ability to have a free choice.
“But Satan caused them to slip and expelled them
from the state in which they were. And We said: “Go
you all down; some of you being the enemies of
others, and on earth will be your dwelling place and
provision for a time ” (2:36)
The “antagonist” in this event is the Shaytaan; who lies
to them and tells them that the only reason God forbade
them the tree was because otherwise they would gain
incredible knowledge or become angels. Neither of
consequently, they fall for his ploy.
Now the second stage has passed: and the choice was
made freely. They ate from the tree. It is worth noting that
there is no emphasis anywhere in the entire Qur’an that Eve
is to blame for ‘the fall of mankind.’ Adam and Eve share
equally in their mistake. Also, there is a different tone
regarding this mistake in the Islamic light. Unlike other
traditions, this slip, or sin, was not so grave that it angered
God to such an extent that all of mankind on earth would
suffer in punishment In fact, the outcome is the opposite:
“Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He
turned to him (mercifully). Truly He is Oft-returning, the
Most Merciful.”
“We said: Go down from this state all of you together;
and ruly there will come to you guidance from Me and
whoever follows My Guidance, no fear shall come upon
them, nor shall they grieve” (2:37-38)
We see here that God forgave them for their mistake with
full compassion and mercy. Now, they were prepared for life
on earth; equipped with the capacity to grow in intellect and
learn from mistakes, with the understanding of repentance
and their relation with their Lord. It was the first test that the
rest of humanity could look back on and learn from. They
were also further told that on earth, Guidance would come to
them and that they were not going to be left alone. The
overall tone is not one of an angry harsh God, but rather one
full of understanding and compassion for His creation.
Our life here, likewise, is a test, and following this will be
a transition into our eternal life. You still might be asking :
“Why didn’t God create us perfect to begin with and place us
directly into Heaven? Couldn’t we have been programmed
with this knowledge from the beginning?”
If we were created perfect and programmed from the
beginning we would be angels. Yet we are a different
creation, the human, whom has the capability to be higher
than angels because we have a choice. To grow in virtue
we need to have freewill, intellect, and to face some
hardships.
“To grow in compassion, for example, is inconceivable
without suffering. It also requires choice, the ability to
choose to reach out to someone in need or ignore him.
Intellect is necessary so that one can estimate how much of
oneself will be invested in showing compassion to the
sufferer. Similarly, to be truthful involves a choice not to lie
and is heightened when telling the truth may lead to
personal loss or suffering..”
“The idea that growth in virtue leads to inner peace and
well-being, and that it contributes an abiding beauty to life, is
easy to admit. The notion that it also allows us to receive
and experience God’s infinite attributes to ever greater
degrees is sensible”
(From “Even Angels Ask” by Dr. Jeffrey Lang)

Throughout the Qur’an, we are introduced to 99 of the
revealed infinite attributes of Allah. The most basic
examples being, “The Most Merciful” and “The Alll-
Forgiving.” Many of these attributes are qualities we
should seek to cultivate in our own selves. By us
developing and nurturing these qualities we are, in fact,
growing closer to knowing God and understanding how
great is His Divine Love and Compassion towards us.
This growth, however, cannot occur unless we are willing
to experience these emotions, and be tested in situations
where the outcome will be a positive effect on our moral
character.
Imagine a robot that is created to save people in
house fires. When the flames are bursting out of the
house, the robot enters and locates a trapped person,
and safely rescues them to the outside. Now imagine the
same house on fire, and a civilian runs into the burning
flames risking his life to save the trapped person inside.
When he emerges, possibly being burned or harmed, we
will look to him with respect and remark at what an
honorable and virtuous, selfless task he had undertaken.
The robot has no ability to perceive fear, love, or bravery.
It does not relate to us therefore we can’t say what a
brave and selfless robot! However, the human chose to
risk his life and overcome his fear, and act out of love.
Both the rescuer and the rescued will have a deeper
relation to love, selflessness, compassion, and an
increased capacity to understand virtue and morality.
“It seems that God, in accordance with His attributes,
intends to make a creature that can experience His Being
in an intensely personal way and at a level higher than the
other beings known to mankind...The more a believer
grows in the attributes that originate in God, the closer
and more intense is his/her bond with Him and the greater
his/her capacity to receive and experience His infinite
beauty and power both in this life, and incomparably more
so in the next life....” (Dr. J. Lang)
In Islam, we are told that this life is not a battlefield like
the evolutionists thinks; nor a place of entertainment and
play as the materialists think; nor is it a punishment as
others think. Rather this worldly life is a Test, and Life
continues much more beyond this short, finite worldly
stage. It is this vision of life that enables the believer to
be patient in adversity, and continue to be grateful in times
of ease.
“Most assuredly We will try you with something of
danger, and hunger, and the loss of worldly goods, of
lives and the fruits of your labor. But give glad tidings
to those who are patient in adversity-who when
calamity befalls them, say,’Truly unto God do we
belong and truly, unto him we shall return’”(2:155)
But if this life is a test, then why are some people
starving to death while others are basking in wealth?
Throughout the Qur’an it is explained to us that both are
tests; for one to be patient, and the other grateful and
Why the
humble. In many cases, the test of ease is greater, but
with it comes more accountability.
“Every soul must taste of death. And we try you with
calamity and prosperity, [both] as a means of trial.
And to Us you are returned.”(21:35)
So through all these examples, one finds that the
Islamic perspective of “The Tree” has a purpose in
Tree?
preparing mankind for their pre-destined life on earth. It
also illustrates that in Islam there is no concept of
‘original sin’; instead, Adam and Eve were forgiven their
sin, as it was part of God’s plan to test them from the The story of Adam
beginning knowing they would fail. Therefore, instead of
being ‘born in sin’ each person is born pure and sinless,
with responsibility for the actions they freely choose.
and Eve in Islam
“That no burdened person (with sins) shall bear the
burden (sins) of another. And that man can have
nothing but what he does (good o bad). And that his
deeds will be seen. Then he will be recompensed
with a full and the best recompense..And that to your
Lord is the End (return).” (53: 38-42)
Islam is not a new religion, but began with Prophet
Adam and revived 1,423 years ago with Prophet
Muhammad. Islam is an Arabic word which means “to
submit, surrender, and obey with sincerity and in peace
to The Creator.” It is the fastest growing religion in the
world, especially North America, with over 1 billion
followers. The Qur’an is the final revealed text by God to
humanity; and within its’ verses God promised it would
remain intact and unchanged in its original Arabic form.
It is a book that openly challenges humanity that if it were
from other than God either you would find mistakes in it,
or that a person could reproduce just one chapter like it
in Arabic. With such an open challenge to all of mankind,
isn’t it time to research Islam?
Earth existed long
----------------------------------------------------------------------- before Adam!
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For More Info: PathwaysToIslam@hotmail.com No original Sin!
www.it-is-truth.org Eve is not to blame!
www.beconvinced.com
Earthly life is not a