Who was Prophet Adam? His life and story

Full story

1. 1

   His creation and being taught the names

   Allah created Adam (peace be upon him) from clay and told the angels that He would place him on earth as a khalifah (successor). Allah taught him the names of all things and set this knowledge before the angels (Al-Baqarah, 31).

   In this way it was shown that man is honored with knowledge and understanding. Adam became the first human being and the first Prophet chosen by Allah.

2. 2

   The angels' prostration and Iblis's arrogance

   Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam (peace be upon him). All the angels obeyed this command; only Iblis refused out of arrogance (Al-Baqarah, 34).

   Iblis considered himself superior to Adam, citing his having been created from fire as an excuse (Al-A'raf, 11-12). This arrogance led to his expulsion from Allah's presence, and he swore to lead mankind astray.

3. 3

   Paradise and the forbidden tree

   Adam (peace be upon him) and his wife lived in comfort in Paradise. Allah commanded them only not to approach a single tree. Iblis whispered to them, swearing falsely that this tree would make them immortal.

   In the end both of them tasted from that tree and immediately realized the mistake they had made. Allah sent them down to earth, and here the trial of human life began (Al-A'raf, 19-25).

4. 4

   Repentance and forgiveness

   Adam (peace be upon him) regretted the mistake he had made and repented with the words he learned from his Lord (Al-Baqarah, 37). The Quran records his supplication thus: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers" (Al-A'raf, 23).

   Allah accepted his repentance. In this way Adam also became the first example of sincere repentance and of Allah's vast mercy.

The creation of Adam (peace be upon him), the prostration of the angels, and his descent from Paradise are narrated in the Quran in Surah Al-Baqarah (2) and Surah Al-A'raf (7), as well as in Surah Ta-Ha and Surah Al-Hijr. The Quran presents his story to teach the purpose of humanity on earth, the enmity of Iblis, and the importance of repentance.

• Knowledge and the ability to name things are a blessing that honors a person.
• Just as arrogance led Iblis to ruin, it drags a person into the abyss as well.
• Satan's whispering comes wrapped in fine-sounding words; caution is needed.
• For a person who has erred, the way to salvation is sincere repentance.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

• QuranSurah Al-Baqarah, 31

  This verse states that Allah taught Adam (peace be upon him) the names of all things.

• QuranSurah Al-Baqarah, 34

  The command for the angels to prostrate and Iblis's arrogant refusal appear in this verse.

• QuranSurah Al-A'raf, 23

  The repentance supplication of Adam and his wife is recorded in this verse.

• QuranSurah Al-Baqarah, 37

  This verse states that Adam received words from his Lord, repented, and that his repentance was accepted.

• HadithSahih Bukhari, 3326

  This hadith narrates that Allah created Adam (peace be upon him) and that the greeting of salam began with Adam.

• Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Âdem"

  Referenced for academic information about the creation and story of Prophet Adam.

Other Prophets connected with this story.

• Prophet Idris

  A patient and truthful Prophet

• Prophet Nuh

  The Prophet who built the ark, one of the Ulul-Azm

Common questions about this Prophet.

• Who was Prophet Adam?

  Adam (peace be upon him) is the first human being Allah created from clay and the first Prophet of humanity. Allah taught him the names of things and commanded the angels to prostrate before him.

• Why was Prophet Adam sent down from Paradise?

  He and his wife ate from the forbidden tree because of Iblis's whispering. After that they were sent down to earth, and the trial of human life began (Al-A'raf, 19-25).

• Did Prophet Adam repent?

  Yes. He sincerely repented with the words he learned from his Lord, and Allah accepted his repentance (Al-Baqarah, 37).

• Why did Iblis not prostrate before Adam?

  Iblis was arrogant and considered himself superior to Adam because he was created from fire while Adam was created from clay. This arrogance led to his expulsion (Al-A'raf, 11-12).