The ProphetsNo. 1

Adam

آدَم

Known in the Bible as Adam

Named in the Quran among those Allah chose above the worlds.

QuranSee it in the Atlas

Connections

Family in the Quran

Ancestor of Idris

His story

Allah told the angels that He would place a successor on earth (2:30), and created Adam from clay. He commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam. They did, all but Iblis, who refused out of pride, claiming that being made of fire made him better (7:12). Iblis was expelled and vowed to lead Adam's children astray.

Adam and his wife lived in the Garden and were forbidden one tree (2:35). Iblis whispered to them until they ate from it. They turned to Allah in repentance, and He accepted it (2:37). Then they were sent down to the earth, with the promise that whoever follows Allah's guidance will not go astray (20:123).

Neither the Quran nor the authentic Sunnah names the tree, and al-Tabari said there is no certain knowledge of it. islamweb also warns against unreliable reports about how Adam was created.

Evidence

QuranAal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)Quran 3:33

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ وَنُوحًا وَءَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَءَالَ عِمْرَٰنَ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٣٣

Indeed, Allāh chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ʿImrān over the worlds -

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

33. Allâh chose Adam, Nûh (Noah), the family of Ibrâhîm (Abraham) and the family of ‘Imrân above the ‘Âlamîn (mankind and jinn) (of their times).

Read in context on Quran.com

Scholarly opinionThe story of Adam in the Quran (islamweb)islamweb.net

QuranAl-Baqara (The Cow)Quran 2:30

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً ۖ قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٣٠

And [mention, O Muḥammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority."[17] They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your perfection?"[18] He [Allāh] said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."

Translator's notes

[17] Khalīfah: successor, or generations of man, one following another. [18] An additional meaning is "...and we purify ourselves for You."

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

30. And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth." They 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 (Allâh) said: "I know that which you do not know."

Read in context on Quran.com

QuranAl-Baqara (The Cow)Quran 2:37

فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَـٰتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٣٧

Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words,[22] and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance,[23] the Merciful.

Translator's notes

[22] Allāh taught Adam words of repentance that would be acceptable to Him. [23] Literally, He who perpetually returns, i.e., reminding and enabling His servant to repent from sins and then forgiving him. Thus, He is also the constant motivator of the repentance He accepts.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

37. Then Adam received from his Lord Words.[9] And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful.

[9] (V.2:37): These words are mentioned in the Qur’ân; (Verse 7:23): They are: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers."

Read in context on Quran.com

Report an error on this page