What du’aa to say when the weather is very hot?

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The Story of SATAN’S (Devil) Visit, The Accursed

 

This story reaches us from two sources. In our Efendi’s Irshad is a hadith through Hz. Anas ibn Malik (r.a.). In the last chapter of Hz. Muhyiddin ibn Arabi’s (q.s.) book Shajarat al-kawn, “The Tree of Being”, is a version derived from a hadith related by Muadh ibn Jabal from Hz. Ibn Abbas (r.a.). The version of Hz. Muadh is fuller than that of Hz. Anas. It is given below, supplemented by additional information from Hz. Anas’s report.

One day a congregation was gathered at the home of one of the Ansar around the Prophet (s.a.w.s.). [According to Hz. Anas, it was Abu Ayyub]. In the middle of a wonderful discourse an ugly voice from the outside was heard saying, “O the ones inside, [or, "O Messenger of Allah!"] Would you permit me to enter? I have business with you!” All looked at the Prophet (s.a.w.s.), who said to the ones present, “Do you recognize the owner of this voice?” The companions answered, “Allah and his Messenger know best”. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “It is Satan the Accursed”. On hearing that Hz. Umar (r.a.), who was present, pulling his sword, asked, “O Messenger of Allah, permit me to go and cut off his head!” [Let me smash his skull and free the people from his trouble!"] The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) replied, “No Umar, don’t you know that you cannot kill him? He has permission to exist until Doomsday”. Then he added, ‘Open the door and

admit him, as he did not come on his own but on Allah’s orders. [Or, "There is always an underlying reason for things. Otherwise he would not have come here".] Listen to what he says, and try to understand”.

Then Rawi (r.a.), one of the companions, relates the tale. “They opened the door and he appeared in front of us as an old man, cross-eyed [or blind in one eye] and scant of beard, with only six or seven long hairs hanging from his chin. He had a very big head, his crossed eyes close to the top of his head, high on his forehead, with big thick hanging lips like those of a water buffalo. He saluted the Prophet and the companions, to which the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) responded, “O Accursed, the salam and salutations belong to Allah most high”. Then he said, “I heard you are here on business. What is it?”

Satan said, I did not wish to come here, I was forced to. An angel came from your Lord, who honors whom he wishes, and said, “Allah most high orders you to Muhammad, but you will go to him in humility and abasement, and be submissive and tractable. You will tell him how you seduce and mislead humankind. You are going to answer all his questions truthfully, without a single lie”. Allah also said that if I lied to you, he would turn me into ashes and blow me away in the wind and my enemies would laugh at me. I come with such orders, O Muhammad.

“Then the Prophet asked the devil, tell me who in the creation do you hate most? “The devil answered you O Muhammad! ["And all the prophets"]. There is no one in the whole creation that I hate more. There is no one in the whole creation I hate more. There is none other like you. “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) [Confirmed that the devil was his own, and all the prophets greatest foe]. He asked, whom else do you detest, besides me?

“Satan said, the young ones who have given up their pleasures and themselves for Allah’s sake; the men who act upon their knowledge and who decline all that is doubtful; the ones that are clean, wash thrice that – which they wish to cleanse. Then the patient poor, who neither ask from others the things they need, nor complain. Then the thankful rich, who give alms lawfully and spend lawfully. [Hz. Anas lists fourteen enemies after the prophets: the knowledgeable who act on what they know; readers of the Quran who pattern themselves on it; those who call to prayer for Allah's sake; the satisfied poor; the compassionate; the generous; those ho perform the morning prayer on time; advisors and reformers; abstains from unlawful food and sexual relations; those who are always in ablution; the modest; those who place their trust in Allah; benefits of the poor; they devout busy in Allah's service].

Then the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked, what happens to you, O accursed one, when my people do their prayers? “I shake and tremble as if stricken with malaria because I see your people raised in blessing and power each time they prostrate”. What happens to you, O Accursed, when my people fast? “I have my hands and feet tied until they break their fast”. What happens when they all meet pilgrimage at the house of their lord? “I lose my wits, I go mad”. What happens to you when they recite the holy Quran? “I melt, like lead turning to hot liquid in the fire”. When they pay alms? ” I am torn to pieces, as if the generous donor took a chainsaw and sawed me into four pieces, because there are four beatitudes which the donor receives–the blessing of abundance, love and respect from Allah’s creatures, a shield from hellfire, and relief from distress and troubles”.

Then the messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) asked the devil what he thought of his beloved companions. About Hz. Abu Bakr (r.a.) he said, I hate him. Even before Islam he refused to obey, nay even to hear me. How can he listen to me now? About Hz. Umar ibn Khattab he said, I run away whenever I see him! About Hz. Uthmann ibn Affan he said, I am ashamed in front of him. Even the angels of mercy are ashamed in front of him. Also Hz. Ali ibn Abu Talib he said, oh if I could just be safe from him, if he would just let me be. I would let him be but he will not leave me alone!

“Having heard the answers of the accursed Satan the Prophet thanked Allah and said, Praise be to Allah who has blessed my people with such felicity and cursed you with such negativity until that appointed time. When the devil heard that, he said alas for you. What felicity for you people? How can you feel there is safety for them as long as I exist? I enter their very veins, their very flesh, and they cannot even suspect, let alone see or feel me. I swear by Allah who has given me time until doomsday that I will seduce them all. The intelligent and simple minded, the learned as well as the ignorant, the devout and the sinner. None will be safe from me except the true servants of Allah. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked who are the true servants of Allah, according to you?

The devil said, you know well O Muhammad, that whoever loves his money and his property Allah does not count that person among his servants. Whenever I see someone who does not say “mine” and “me”, and who does not love either money or flattery, I know he is truly a servant of Allah and I run away from him. As long as one loves money, property, flattery, he obeys me and he is my servant. I need many servants and I have many servants. I am not alone. I have 70,000 children, each of them with his assigned duties. Each of my 70,000 children has 70,000 Satan’s serving under him, all assigned to different posts. Many are young and the older women with theologians, preachers and shaykhs. There are almost no differences of opinion between your young people and my devils. Your children play happily with my children. Some of them devout and some of the pious get along very well with my people! My devils lead the imagination of the pious from one height to another. Arrogant, they leave the sincerity of their devotions. Soon they fight with each other, and they don’t even know what is happening to them. Then I whisper to them, Disbelieve! When they disbelieve I say, “I am of you. Surely I fear Allah, the lord of the worlds”. (Surah al-Hashr, 16)

Then the accursed devil told how he profited from habits of man which he liked. About lying he said that do you know, O Muhammad that lying is from me and I am the first liar? Whoever lies is my best friend; whoever swears to the truth of his lie is my beloved. You know O Muhammad that I swore by Allah and lied to Adam and Eve. I swore to them both, “Surely I am a sincere advisor to you”. (Surah Al-Araf, 21) I also love rejection and gossip. They are my delightful fruits. I detest loving families. If they think of rejecting each other, separating from each other, and talk about divorce, even if just once, the marriage bond in Allah’s view is dissolved. The wife will be unlawful to the husband. When they sleep together, they will be adulterers. If they have a child he will be a bastard. I love all that.

O Muhammad, let me tell you about my friends who abandon prayers or delay them. When it is time for prayer I make them imagine that there is still time that they are busy. They should enjoy what they are doing, they can pray later! I hope they will die before doing their next prayer, and some of them do. Even when they do their prayers late, their devotions are thrown in their faces. If I cannot succeed myself, I send them a human Satan who will prevent them from their devotions. If I don’t succeed again, I enter into their prayers. I tell them, “look to the right, look to the left! Think of the past, plan your future! When they do that, I caress their cheeks and kiss their foreheads and take the peace from their hearts.

You know, O Muhammad, that the prayers of those whose attention is outside of them or who are imagining things, which do not belong in the presence of Allah, are also rejected and thrown in their faces. If I am not successful in that, I order them to do their prayer fast, and they look like hens picking at grain. If I still don’t succeed, I follow them to the congregational prayers and put bridles on their heads. I pull and lift their heads from the prostration before the imam, and I push their heads down before the imam touches his head to the ground. I am overjoyed to remember that Allah will turn those unruly heads into donkey heads on the day of last judgment. If I am still not successful, I try at least to make them crack their fingers while they are making prayers. Then they will be among those who make my tasbih instead of Allah’s tasbih. Or at least I will blow into their noses and make them yawn, and if they open their mouths a little devil will enter into them through their mouths and increase their love and ambition for this world. The one who loves and is ambitious for this world becomes my soldier; he obeys me and does as he is ordered.

O Muhammad, how can you hope and be serene about your people’s salvation and felicity? I have a trap at every corner for them. I go to the poor and tell them, “What has Allah done for you? Why do you pray to him? Prayer is for those to whom he has given abundance”. Then I go to the ones who are sick and tell them to stop praying, and remind them that even Allah said, “There is no blame on the sick” (Surah Nur, 61). I hope that they will die having abandoned their prayers, so that Allah will meet them with anger in the hereafter.

O Muhammad, if I have told you a single lie, may scorpions bite me, and ask Allah that he turn me into ashes. O Muhammad, do not be sure of your people. I have already converted a sixth of them, who have left their religion.

Then the messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) asked, O accursed one, with whom do you most likely spend your time with? The usurer. Your best friend? The adulterer. With whom do you share your bed? The drunkard. Who are your guests? The thieves. Who are your representatives? The magicians and soothsayers. What pleases you most? Divorce. Whom do you love most? Those who abandon their Friday prayers. [Hz. Anas gives ten friends of Satan: tyrants and oppressors; the arrogant; servile scholars who hide the truth for the benefit of tyrants; dishonest tradesmen; drinkers of alcohol; dealers in fraud; slanderers; those who stir up trouble among friends].

Then the prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked, what breaks your heart, O accursed one? The determination and the firm footsteps of those who march against the enemies of Allah for Allah’s sake. What gives you pain? The repentance of the penitent. What makes you grimace? The alms given in secret. What makes your eyes blind? The tahajjud prayer in the middle of the night.

What makes you bow your head? Prayer done in congregation. The prophet continued asking: O Satan, according to you, who are the happiest among people? The miser. What prevents you from doing your job? The gathering of men of knowledge and their discourses. How do you eat your food? With my left hand and the tips of my fingers. When the sun is hot, where do you seek shade? Under people’s dirty fingernails. Then the messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) asked, What did you ask from my lord on the day you were rejected from his presence? I had ten requests, which were accorded. What were they, O accursed one?

I asked Allah to make me a partner in the properties and children of the children of Adam. He gave that to me, and he said “incite whom thou canst with thy voice, and collect against them thy horse and thy foot, and share with them in wealth and children, and promise them”. The devil promises them only to deceive. (Surah Bani Israil, 64). I eat from the meat of animals killed without the bismillah and from the food bought by money gained through interest, injustice, and tyranny. I am the shareholder of the property whose owner does not take refuge in Allah from me. I am part father of the child, which comes from intercourse performed without bismillah. I am the traveling companion of the one who rides a vehicle, which is going to an unlawful destination.

I asked Allah to give me a house, and he gave me public bathrooms. I asked Allah to give me a temple, and he gave me the marketplace as my temple. I asked Allah to give me a book. He gave me the books of poetry as my book. I asked for a call to prayer, and he gave me the dancing music. I asked for someone to share my bed, and he gave me the drunkard. I asked Allah for helpers. Allah gave me those who believe in free will. I asked Allah to give me brothers and sisters, and Allah gave me the squanderers who spend their money on evil things. Allah said, “Surely the squanders are the devil’s brethren”(Surah Bani Israil, 27). Then I asked Allah to be able to see the children of Adam while they are unable to see me, and he accorded that to me. I wished that the very veins of the children of Adam are my routes, and it was given to me. So I flow in their veins as I wish and enter their flesh. All these were given to me, and I am proud of what I received. Let me add O Muhammad, that there are more with me than there are with you, and until doomsday there will be more with me than there are with you.

Then the prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, if you had not proven what you said with the verses of Allah’s book, it would have been hard for me to confirm what you say. The devil continued, do you know O Muhammad, that I have a son whose name is Atam [in Arabic, the first of the night] he pisses in the ear of the people who go to sleep without performing their night prayers. His urine puts them to sleep; otherwise no one could have gone to bed without finishing their prayers. Then I have a son whose name is Mutaqadi [in Arabic, one who presses for payment]. His duty is to publicize the prayers, the devotions, the good deeds which are done in secret for Allah’s sake, because Allah promises to reward the good deed done secretly a hundred-fold.

When deeds are publicized and receive credits and praise from the creatures of Allah. Allah takes away 99 of the promised one hundred rewards. Then I have a son whose name is Kuhayl(kohl). His duty is to put kohl on the eyes of those in the presence of wise men or preachers. The ones whose eyes he has touched start falling asleep. They are thus prevented from hearing the words of Allah or receiving any benefit from them.

The devil talked about women. He said, whenever a woman leaves her seat a devil sits in her place. On the lap of every woman sits a Satan who makes her desirable to whoever looks at her. Then he orders the woman to open and show her arms, her legs, and her breasts, and with his claws the devil tears her veil of shame and decency.

Then the devil started to complain. He said O Muhammad, in spite of all this I have no strength to take away the faith of the faithful. I only take away their faith when they throw it away. If I were able, there would be no face of this world that could say la ilaha illallah, Muhammad rasulullah, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”. I would not leave a single one to pray or fast. All I can do is to give the children of Adam imaginations, illusions and delusions, make the ugly appear beautiful, the wrong, right, and the bad, good. Neither do you have the power to give faith. You are only a proof of the truth, because I know that if you were given the power to give true faith you would not leave a single non-believer on the face of this world. The fortunate one who is a believer is fortunate in his mother’s womb. The rebellious sinner is a rebel in his mother’s womb. As you are the guide of the fortunate, I am only the cause of sin of the ones who are destined to sin.

Allah is he who renders one fortunate and another rebellious. Then he recited from Surah Hud, “If thy lord had pleased he would have made people a single nation, and they cease not to differ, except those upon whom thy lord has mercy, and for this did he create them”. The word of thy lord is fulfilled: I shall fill hell with jinn and men altogether (Surah Hud, 118-119). He recited from Surah Ahzab, ayat 38: “The command of Allah is a decree that is made absolute”.

Then the mercy upon the universe told the devil, O father of all bitterness, I wonder if it is at all possible for you to repent and return to your lord. I promise I would intercede for you. The accursed one answered, O messenger of Allah, it is Allah’s justice. The ink on the pen, which wrote the judgment, is dry. What will happen, will happen until doomsday. The one who made you the master of all the prophets, the speaker for the inhabitants of paradise, the one who chose you to be the beloved amongst all his creation, chose me to be the master of sinners and the speaker for the inhabitants of hell. He is Allah, devoid of all lack. O Muhammad, this is which I have told you is my last word to you, and I have told nothing but the truth.

All praise is due to Allah the lord of all the worlds which existed before and which will exist after, visible and invisible. Allah’s blessing, upon our beloved master, the beloved Allah, mercy upon the universe, and upon his household and progeny and companions and friends who are loved by him, and upon the ones who love him.

Tosun Al-Muhibb Al-Jerrahi

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�c�o`y: “Times New Roman”;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial’>Hadrat Ataa bin Abi Rabaah(R.A.) relates, “Once Ibn Abbaas said to me, ‘Shall I tell you of a woman from amongst the People of Jannah?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘A certain black lady came to Nabi(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) and said, ‘I get attacks of epilepsy and my body gets uncovered, so please invoke (i.e. make dua to) Allah for me.’Nabi(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) told her,.’If you wish, you could be patient and you will enter Jannah; or if you wish, I will make dua to Allah to cure you.’ She replied, ‘I will remain patient,’ and added, ‘but I become uncovered, so please make dua to Allah for me that I do not become uncovered.’ So he made dua for her.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)

 

 

Glad Tidings for the Blind

Hadrat Anas bin Maa (R.A.) reports that he heard Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) saying that Allah Ta’ala said, ‘If I deprive My slave of his two beloved possessions (i.e. his eyes) and he bears it patiently, I will let him enter Jannah in compensation for them. (Sahih Bukhaari)

 

Headaches – a Characteristic of the People of Imaan

Our beloved Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) suffered very much from severe headaches and migraines. Sometimes, for days on end he would suffer extreme pain and would even deliver the khutbah (sermon) with his head covered in oily bandages.

Once, describing the People of the Fire (Jahannam), Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘They are those who do not suffer from pain in their heads.’ Just then a bedouin entered and he asked him, ‘O Bedouin! Did you ever experience this type of headache?’ He replied, ‘What is a headache?’ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘It is the throbbing of veins in the head of a person.’ The man replied, ‘I have never experienced this.’ When the bedouin turned to go away, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Whoever wishes to look at a person from the People of the Fire should look at this Man.’ (Ahmad, Nasa-ee)

 

Ka’b Ahbaar(R.A.) says, ‘I have found (the following) in the Tauraah: Had it not been for the fear that My believing servants would become aggrieved, I would have sealed the head of a kaafir (disbeliever) with a bandage of steel so that he would never get a headache. “

 

Do not curse sickness

Once Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) went to the home of Umm Saa-ib (Radiyallaaha anha) and asked her, ‘What is the matter? Why are you shivering?’ She replied, ‘I have a fever. May Allah not bless it! ‘ Rasulullah(Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Do not curse fever since it wipes out the sins of the Children of Aadam just as a furnace removes dirt from iron.’ (Sahih Muslim)

 

Hadrat Abu Moosa(R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When a person becomes sick or goes on a journey, then those (good) deeds are written down in his favour which he used to perform when he was at home and in good health.’ (Sahih Bukhari) 

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Angels

Who are Angels

Angel Gabriel brought Allah’s words to the Prophet Muhammad and therefore we

call Gabriel the Messenger Angel. There are many other angels and we can read

about them in the Quran.

Each of us has two angels who accompany him. These angels take note of

everything we do. They write down our good deeds and our bad deeds. We call

these angels the Writing Angels. There are other angels, too. For example,

there is an angel who helps people when they die. This angel brings death, so

we call him the Angel of Death.

We cannot see the angels because they are made of things which our eyes cannot

see. But all the same, we know that they are there, because Allah has told us

so. Sometimes, we can even feel the presence of these angels.

Angels are created by Allah, just as man and everything else has been created

by Him. Angels obey Allah and are His servants. They perform many tasks and

keep the world in being by obeying Allah’s commands.

We know that when the sun rises and sets, when the clouds move in the sky, when

the raindrops fall, when the plants grow and many other things happen in

nature, it is Allah Who has crated them and Allah Who sustains them. Nothing

can happen without Allah’s will. In the same way, Allah created the angels who

obey Him. They carry out His will, and take great care that everything goes

according to Allah’s will. They are the obedient servants of Allah.

Allah wanted man to obey Him, to pray to Him and to do good. He wanted man to

know about Allah. That is why the Angel Gabriel was sent by Allah. The Angel

Gabriel told Muhammad what Allah wanted man to do. This was Gabriel’s task.

Through the Angel Gabriel, Allah had spoken to many prophets before Muhammad,

so that man would remember and not forget what Allah wants him to do. We can

read about this in the Quran. Here there are the stories of Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim,

Musa (Alaih Salwat Ajmaeen) and many other prophets. All of them have said to

man:

IN ALLAH ALONE YOU SHOULD BELIEVE

ALLAH ALONE YOU SHOULD WORSHIP

ONLY GOOD DEEDS YOU SHOULD DO

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What and Who are shayateen?

SHAYTAN: What is Shaytan?

Allah (SWT) created jinn and insaan solely for his Ibaadat (worship). Shaytan belongs to Jinn; a life form created from smokeless fire (like electricity), which existed long before Adam (A.S.). At the time when the whole nation of Jinn became disobedient to Allah (SWT), the Angels were ordered to destroy them completely. As the Angels set about their task, they discovered one particular Jinn who had been engaged in prayer and asked Allah (SWT) for guidance in how to deal with him. In reply, Allah (SWT) ordered the Angels to bring this particular Jinn back with them up to the Kingdom of Malaika (angels). This ‘saved’ Jinn was called Iblis, also known as Angel Makram. Iblis had devoted nearly eighty thousand years to Allah’s (SWT) worship and since he had acquired vast knowledge, Allah (SWT) appointed him as teacher to the Angels.

When Allah (SWT) decided to create Adam (A.S.), certain Angels were ordered to bring some clay from the earth. As one by one, the Angels proceeded to collect the clay, the clay pleaded to them, “For the sake of Allah (SWT) please don’t take me from this earth.” So the Angels returned without the clay. Allah (SWT) then ordered Azra’il to collect this clay. When the clay made the same plea to him, Angel Azra’il replied that it was His order to take the clay back and without hesitation Azra’il took the clay as ordered.

While the Angels were busy collecting the clay from the earth, they were delayed in attending the class of Iblis. Upon their return, Iblis queried the Angels about their late arrival. When Iblis heard the reason for their delay, he became very jealous that Allah (SWT) was creating a new life and that he alone was not enough for worship. Iblis then requested to be taken to the location where Allah (SWT) was creating Adam (A.S.) but was refused by the Angels as they were under strict orders not to take anyone to this location. However, Iblis did eventually discover this location and managed to visit Adam (A.S.). During his visit, Iblis went inside Adam (A.S.) and found out the mechanism to his body. Upon his return, Iblis stated to the Angels that Adam (A.S.) was useless and that they should follow Iblis and not Adam (A.S.). The Angels replied that they only follow Allah (SWT).

After some time had elapsed, and the creation of Adam (A.S.) was complete, Allah (SWT) ordered the Angels to prostrate in front of Adam (A.S.). The Angels obeyed this order of Almighty Allah (SWT), the Creator, and The Most Wise. But when Allah (SWT) gave the same order to Iblis, he refused, introducing logic into his arguments rather than obeying in faith. When Allah (SWT) asked Iblis, “What prevented you from prostrating before that what I created with my own hands?” Iblis replied, “I am better than him. You have created me from fire but him you have created from clay.” (Q7:12, 15:32:33). Allah (SWT) then said, “Get out of here. You are cast out. My curse is on you till the Day of Judgement”.

The Quran says in (Q2:34) “And behold we said to the Angels, bow down to Adam (A.S.), and they all bowed down. Not so Iblis, he was disobedient. He was with those who reject faith.” Allah says, in Surah Saad verses 71 – 85: “When thy Lord said unto the Angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of clay and when I have fashioned him and breathed into him My spirit then fall down before him prostrate. The Angels fell down and prostrated everyone except Iblis; He was scornful and became one of the disbelievers (Kafir). He said: “O Iblis! What prevents you from prostrating before that which I have created with both hands? Art Thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted? He said: I am better than him. Thou created me from fire, whilst him thou created from clay. He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast. And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgement. He said: My lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised. He said: Lo! Thou are of those reprieved until the day of the time appointed. He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them everyone. Save thy single-minded shared among them. He said: The truth is, and the truth I speak, that I shall fill Hell with thee and those of them as follow thee, together”.

Iblis asked Allah (SWT), “What are you going to give me in return as there was no place on earth where I did not prostrate to you?” Allah (SWT) replied “Say what do you want?” So Iblis asked for the power to enter into the Adam (A.S.)’s body and into the body of all his descendants (Bani Adam). He asked for the permission and power to enter and leave Bani Adam’s body 70 times within one pulse beat (60 times a second). Allah (SWT) granted him this request. Iblis then said to Allah (SWT), “I will be standing between you and the sons of Adam (A.S.), at the front, at the left, at the back and at the right, and I will be all around him. I will make it difficult for him to find the Siratul Mustaqim (the straight path) to come to you. Allah (SWT) said, “You can do whatever you want, but remember, whoever is my servant, they will find the way to come to Me.” Allah (SWT) then outcast Iblis from His blessings.

Allah (SWT) then taught Adam (A.S.) how to pray and seek help from Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) taught Adam (A.S.) not to ask for Allah (SWT)’s help from the front, left, back or right, but to ask for Allah (SWT)’s help from above, as Iblis who is now Shaytan did not request that he would be able to stand between Adam (A.S.) and Allah (SWT) from above. Allah (SWT) made a way through which Shaytan could enter into the body of Adam (A.S.).

There are two entrances into Bani Adam’s body: one is called ‘was-wasa’ whereby Shaytan gives ‘was-wasa’ or bad inspiration. The other entrance known as the ‘mul-him’ is for the sole use of Angles through which they give Ilham or good news. The Ilham could thus emanate directly from Allah (SWT) or from the Bani Adams’ own destiny. Allah (SWT) has placed an Angel to guard the mul-him, and likewise Shaytan has placed one of his agents at the was-wasa. Shaytan’s instrument is bad inspiration, which he uses to deceive Bani Adam.

But, Allah (SWT) has also taught us how to pray and seek help from Him. This is why when in need, we should not go to anybody or anything else except Allah (SWT). No one can get help through his capacity unless Allah (SWT) wishes to help him. If any one asks for help from a worldly thing or anything else (like idol worshippers who seek guidance from wood, stone, fire and other man made articles) other than Allah (SWT), it is as if he is asking help from Shaytan. Allah (SWT) said in Surah Fatihah (Q1:5), “Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek”. The devil is clever and also positively dangerous for righteous persons. In this Surah, Allah (SWT) is beautifully and tenderly teaching us how to seek help and guidance from Him and seek protection from Shaytan.

In Surah Saffat 162 and 163 Allah (SWT) said, “Can lead (any) into temptation concerning God, (163) except such as one (themselves) going into the blazing fire”. In the Holy Quran (translation and commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, pp 1213:4134) Allah (SWT) said “Evil has no power over faith, truth, and sincerity. Such power as it has over those who deliberately put themselves in the way of destruction. It is their own will that leads them astray. If they were fortified against evil by faith, patience and constancy, evil would have no power to hurt them. God will protect them”. Allah (SWT) said: “Kalimah: ‘La ila ha illal lahu’ is My fortress. Whoever reads this by heart will be inside my fortress, he will have no fear of My punishment and no fear of Shaytan’s deceptions. Shaytan is the source of punishment, who so ever reads the Kalimah and obeys Allah (SWT), he is safe from Shaytan’s deceptions and has saved himself from this world and the world hereafter”. The Prophet (S.A.S.) said whoever reads ‘Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim’ if Shaytan comes like an elephant he will run away like an ant.

We should not try to fight with Shaytan, it means that we are giving him importance and making him happy. Our duty is simply to ask for help from Allah (SWT) and obey Him. Before the Prophet (S.A.S.)’s time, there was a tradition in Arabia, that whenever a traveller entered another territory, he used to ask protection from the leader of Jinn of that particular area. But Allah (SWT) said that whoever seeks protection from anyone but Allah (SWT), is not a believer. We are helpless and lonesome children until and unless we ask protection from Allah (SWT) and Allah (SWT) alone.

When a child is born, Shaytan thinks of him as an additional enemy. Invisible to the naked eye, Shaytan, therefore, tries to take the child away and kill him using his Jinn agents. Shaytan is like an eagle, spying on his prey like an eagle spying on newly hatched chickens. To prevent Shaytan’s agent from taking the baby, Allah sends 70 Angels to guard the newly born baby – if the baby is of a Mumin, Allah (SWT) doubles this guard i.e. there are 140 Angels guarding and protecting the baby from Shaytan.

Allah (SWT) says “Oh! Mumin (believers), be aware of Shaytan, he is your open enemy – he is very far from me, but is very close to you”. Allah teaches us to say: “A’oothu-billah-him-inash-shaytan-ir-rajim” which is translated as “Oh Allah! I seek refuge in thee from the outcast Shaytan”.

Once a Wali Allah dreamt that Shaytan was advancing towards him and the Wali Allah, in his dream, was trying to beat off the Shaytan with his staff. The Wali Allah then heard a voice saying that Shaytan cannot be beaten with a staff. Upon hearing this voice, the Wali Allah stood back and after a few moments asked Shaytan to come towards him. In reply Shaytan asked, “What have you got for me to come to you?” The Wali Allah said, “What do you want?” The Shaytan said “I want the world but you haven’t got it, so what is the use of me coming to you?”

Allah (SWT) created Shaytan’s wife from his left thigh, in the similar manner as Adam (A.S)’s wife was created from the rib. When Shaytan’s wife was pregnant, she laid twenty one eggs from which Shaytan’s children were hatched. These children spread themselves all over the world across jungles, mountains, rivers, seas, trees etc. Once our Prophet (S.A.S) said “There is nobody without a Shaytan with him”. After hearing this one of the Sahaba asked our Prophet (S.A.S) “Is there any with you?” Our Prophet (S.A.S) replied, “Yes, but Allah (SWT) has made this Shaytan Musalma’an, and he is always giving me good inspirations”.

Once Abu Bakr (R.A.), Umar (R.A.), Uthman (R.A.), Ali (K.A.), Salman Farsi (R.A.) and Amer Ibn Yasar (R.A.) found our Prophet (S.A.S) coming back from somewhere and he was sweating. The Prophet wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, “May Allah (SWT) cast the cursed Shaytan”. He then looked down. Ali (K.A) said to him “Whom are you casting upon?” Our Prophet (S.A.S) replied “The enemy of Allah (SWT), the outcasted Shaytan, he just put his tail in the cave and laid seven eggs from which seven Shaytans were born. Their duty is to deceive the sons of Adam (A.S.).”

The prophet (S.A.S) then proceeded to name these seven Shaytans stating that the first one is called Mudhas and his duty is to inspire, attract and tempt the Alim. The second one is Hodish and his duty is to distract people from their prayer and offer distractive attractions and amusements. Hodish makes people sleepy during their prayer, sometimes they go to sleep and when they awaken they continue their prayer without wudu and falsely believe that they never went to sleep and, therefore, do not require fresh wudu. The third Shaytan is Zal Banun who is on duty in the market place so that the traders would not weigh and measure honestly or care for the quality of their goods. These traders would show off unjustly, and praise their low quality goods. The Zal Banun also enables people to walk wondrously around the market place and encourage them to spend their money unwisely. The fourth Shaytan is Bothar whose duty is to make people restless by attacking their patience. The fifth’s name is Manshoot who draws people towards lying and backbiting. The sixth Shaytan is called Dasham who destroys people’s sense of justice. The seventh Shaytan, Auoawar, inspires people to steal and become thieves in the belief that this way their needs will be met, and that they could always ask for forgiveness later from Allah (SWT) and will surely be excused. Our Prophet (S.A.S) also said “There is a Shaytan called Dal-han. He always deceives people when they are making wudu.” Our Prophet (S.A.S) advised Mumin to be aware of him and ask help from Allah (SWT) against this Shaytan. There is another Shaytan called Khanzub, who always deceives people during prayer. Besides the above mentioned. there are other Shaytans who always stay with you when you are bathing and whether you are inside or outside the house. They are always there because this is their place of stay.

Once our Prophet (S.A.S) met Shaytan, he said to him “Why are you an enemy of Allah (SWT)? Don’t you realise that you will be punished for your activities?” Shaytan replied “I know a Dua (prayer), that will enter me into the heaven” (you can say that it is a key for the door of heaven). Jibril (A.S.) appeared at that moment and said to our Prophet (S.A.S): “Shaytan does know the Dua which will enable him to enter into paradise, but forty days before his death Allah (SWT) The Almighty, All Powerful, and All Knowing, will take this Dua away from Shaytan’s memory.” Jibril (A.S.) then unveiled this Dua to our Prophet (S.A.S).

The Prophet (S.A.S) said that Magrib (sunset) is the play time for the Shaytans so children should come inside the house behind closed doors so that the Shaytans cannot enter. In another Hadith, Prophet (S.A.S) told us that everyone should always wear pairs of shoes and should never wear unpaired shoes as it is the Shaytans who hide them away. From my experiences, this can lead to unnecessary arguments and stress in the home.

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Prophet Adam alyhissalaam

Prophet Adam

Ibn Kathir

Allah the Almighty revealed: 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 (exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners) and sanctify You.’ Allah said: ‘I know that which you do not know.’

Allah taught Adam all the names of everything, then He showed them to the angels and said: “Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.” They (angels) said: “Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise.”

He said: “O Adam! Inform them of their names,” and when he had informed them of their names, He said: “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been hiding?”

Remember when We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourself before Adam” They prostrated except Iblis, he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers(disobedient to Allah).”

We said: “O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and 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 Zalimeen (wrongdoers).”

Then the Satan made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: “Get you down all with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time.”

Then Adam received from his Lord Words. His Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the most Merciful.

We said: “Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, and signs and revelations, etc) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever.” (Chapter 2:30-39, Qur’an).

Almighty Allah also revealed: And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, “Prostrate to Adam”, and they prostrated, except Iblis, he refused to be those who prostrate.

Allah said: “What prevented you (O Iblis) that you did not postrate when I commanded you?”

Iblis said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire and him You created from clay.”

Allah said: “O Iblis get down from this (Paradise), it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.”

Iblis said: “Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (Day of Resurrection).”

Allah said: “You are of those allowed respite.”

Iblis said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (they will not be dutiful to You).”

Allah said: “Get out from Paradise, disgraced and expelled. Whoever of them (mankind) will follow you, then surely I will fill Hell with you all.”

“And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the Zalimeen (unjust and wrongdoers).”

Then Satan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts before, he said:” Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals.” Satan swore by Allah to them both saying: “Verily I am one of the sincere well wishers for you both.”

So he misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). Their Lord called out to them saying “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you, Verily Satan is an open enemy unto you?”

They said: “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.” Allah said: “Get down one of you an enemy to the other (i.e. Adam, Eve, and Satan etc). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment, for a time.” He said: “therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (resurrected).” (Chapter 7:11-25 Qur’an).

We imagine when Allah the Almighty decided to create Adam: He addressed His angels and told them to prostrate before him. He did not mean to ask their opinion or take their advice, for He is above that. Allah the Exalted told them that He was going to create a vicegerent on the earth who would have children and grandchildren who would corrupt the earth and shed each other’s blood. That is why the angels said to Allah the Almighty: “Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood!” (Chapter 2:30 Quran).

There are old traditions about the angels before the creation of Adam. According to Ibn Qatadah, it was said that the angels were informed about the creation of Adam and his progency by the jinn who lived before Adam. Abdullah Ibn Umar said that the jinn had existed for about 2000 years before Adam and then shed blood. Therefore Allah sent on them an army of angels that drove them out to the depths of the seas. Ibn Abi Hatim narrated from Ali jafar Al Baqer that the angels were informed that man would cause wickedness and shed blood on earth. It was also said that they knew that no one would be created on earth who would not be wicked and shed blood.

Whether or not these traditions are correct, the angels did understand that Allah would create a vicegerent on earth. Allah the Almighty announced that HE was going to create a human being out of clay, that HE would mold him and blow His spirit into him and then the angels should prostrate before him.

Abi Musa al Sha’arai narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Allah created Adam from a handful of dust taken from different lands, so the children of Adam 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.” (Sahih al Bukhari).

Ibn Masud and other companions of the Prophet (PBUH) said that Allah the Almighty sent Gabriel onto the earth to said that Allah the Almighty sent Gabriel onto the earth to get Him clay therefrom. The earth said: “I seek refuge in Allah from your decreasing my quantity or disfiguring me.” So Gabriel returned and did not take anything. He said: “My Lord, the land sought refuge in You and it granted.”

So Allah sent Michael for the same purpose, and the land sought refuge with Allah and it was granted. So he went back and said to Allah what Gabriel has said before him.

Then Allah sent the Angel of Death, and the land sought refuge in Allah, the angel said: “I also seek refuge with Allah from returning without carrying out His command.” So he took clay from the face of the earth and mixed it. He did not take from one particular place, but rather he took white, red, and black clay from different places.

The Angel of Death ascended with it, Allah soaked the clay till it became sticky. Then Allah said to the angels: “Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.” (Chapter 38:71-72 Quran).

So Allah shaped Adam into a human being, but he remaineda figure of clay for 40 years. The angels went past him. They were seized with fear by what they saw, and Iblis felt fear most. He used to pass by the figure of Adam, buffeting it, which would make a sound like pottery. Allah told us: “He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery.” (Chapter 55:Quran).

When the time drew near to breathe the spirit into Adam, as Allah decreed, He commanded the angels: “When I breathe My spirit into him prostrate before him.” Allah breathed His spirit into Adam and when it reached his head Adam sneezed. The angels said: “Say all praise belongs to Allah.” Adam repeated: “All praise belongs to Allah.” Allah said to him: “Your Lord has granted you mercy.” When the spirit reached his eyes, Adam looked at the fruits of Paradise. When it reached his abdomen Adam felt an appetite for food. He jumped hurriedly before the spirit could reach his legs, so that he could eat from the fruits of Paradise. Allah, therefore, said: “Man is created of haste.” (Chapter 21:37 Quran). And then: The angels prostrated themselves all of them together. Except Iblis, he refused to be among the prostrators. (Ch 15:31-32 Quran).

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Allah created Adam from dust after He mixed the clay and left him for some time until it became sticky mud, after which Allah shaped him. After that Allah left him till it became like potter’s clay. Iblis used to go past him saying ‘You have been created for a great purpose.’ After that Allah breathed His spirit into him. The first thing into which the spirit passed was his eye and then his nose. He sneezed. Allah said: “May your Lord have mercy upon you, O Adam! Go to those angels and see what they would say.’ So Adam went and greeted them. they replied saying: “Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of Allah.” Allah said: “O Adam! This is your greeting and that of your offspring.” (Sahih al Bukhari).

Allah the Almighty revealed: Remember when your Lord brought forth from the children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam’s loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves saying: “Am I not your Lord?” They said: “Yes! We testify.” lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection. “Verily we have been unaware of this.” Or lest you should say: “It was only our father aforetime who took others pas partners in worship along with Allah and we were merely their descendants after them; will you then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practiced al batil (polytheism) and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allah?”

Thus do We explain the Ayah (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations etc) in detail so that they may turn unto the truth. (Ch 7:172-174 Quran).

Adam’s progeny declared: “Our Lord, we bear witness that You are our Lord; we have no other Lord but Allah. Allah raised their father Adam, and he looked at them and saw those of them who were rich and those who were poor, and those who had good forms and those who did not. Adam said: “O Allah! I wish You to make Your servants equal.” Allah replied “I love being thanked.” Adam saw among the prophets like lamps among his progeny.

Almighty Allah declared: Remember when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you (o Muhammad), and from Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus son of Mary. We took from them a strong covenant. (Ch 33:7 Quran).

In another verse Allah the Exalted commanded: “So set you (O Muhammad) your face towards the religion of pure Islamic Monotheism Hanifan (worship none but Allah Alone) Allah’s Fitrah (Allah’s Islamic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in khalqillah (the Religion of Allah–Islamic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most men know not.” (Ch 30:30 Quran).

Another version of the story relates that Allah took a handful of the dust of the earth and mixed into it the colors, white, black, yellow and red. That is the reason why men are born different colors. When Allah mixed the dust with water, it turned into potter’s clay that makes a sound. It was fermented and had a smell. Iblis passed by, wondering what was going to be made of that clay. From the clay Allah created Adam. he molded his form with His own hands and blew His spirit into him. Adam’s body quivered as life was imbued into it. Verily His Command, when He intends a thing is only that He says to it, “BE!” and it is! (Ch 37:82 Quran).

Allah the Almighty declared: Verily the likeness of Jesus, in Allah’s Sight is the likeness of Adam, He created him from the dust then He said to him. “Be!” –and he was. (Ch 3:59 Quran).

Adam opened his eyes and saw all the angels prostrating before him except one being who was standing at a distance Adam did not know what kind of creature it was that did not prostrate before him nor did he know its name. Iblis was standing with the angels so as to be included in the command given to them but he was not one of them. He was a jinn, and as such he was supposed to be inferior to the angels. What is clear is that this prostration was to show respect and did not mean that the angels were worshipping Adam. Prostrating in worship is done only for ALLAH.

Almighty Allah recounted the story of Iblis’s refusal to prostate before Adam: Remember when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create a man (Adam) from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud. So when I have fashioned him completely and breathed into him (Adam) the soul which I created for him then fall you down prostrating yourselves unto him.” SO the angels prostrated themselves all of them together, except Iblis, he refused to be among the prostrators. Allah said: “O Iblis! What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?” Iblis said: “I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You created from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud.” Allah said: “Then get out from here for verily you are Rajim (an outcast or cursed one). Verily the curse shall be upon you till Day of Recompense (Day of Resurrection). (Ch 15:28-35 Quran).

In another surah Almighty Allah recounted it thus: Surely We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being), then We told the angels, “Prostrate to Adam and they prostrated except Iblis he refused to be of those who prostrate.

Allah said: “What prevented you Iblis that you did not prostrate when I commanded you?” Iblis said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire and him You created from clay.” Allah said: “Get down from this Paradise, it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you are of those humiliated and disgraced.” Iblis said: Allow me respite till the Day of Resurrection).” Allah said: “You are of those allowed respite.” (Ch 7:11-15 Quran).

Ibn Jarir reported that Muhammad Ibn sirin said that the first one to reach a conclusion by reasoning was Iblis and that the sun and moon were not worshiped except through this method.

This means that Iblis tried to compare himself to Adam. He believed that he was more honorable than Adam. Therefore he abstained from prostrating even though Allah had commanded him to do so, just as He had commanded the angels. If an analogy is made we see that Iblis is vain. For indeed clay is better than fire because in it can be found the qualities of calmness, clemency, perseverance and growth; whereas in fire can be found heedlessness, insignificance, haste, and incineration.

Iblis tried in vain to justify his refusal: “Shall I prostrate to one whom You created from clay?” Iblis said: “See? those whom You have honored above me, if You give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will surely seize and mislead his offspring (by sending them astray) all but a few!” (Ch 17:62 Quran).

Adam was following what was happening around him and had feelings of love, awe, and astonishment. Deep love of Allah,Who had created and glorified him and Who had made His angels prostrate before him. Awe of the Creator’s wrath when He excluded Iblis from His mercy. Adam was surprised by this creature, Iblis who abhorred hiwithout even knowing him and who imagined himself better than Adam without having proved that he was worthier. What a strange creature Iblis was, and how strange was his excuse for not prostrating!

He imagined that fire is better than clay, but how did he get such an idea? Such knowledge is exclusive to Allah Who fire and clay and Who knows which is the better of the two.

From the dialogue Adam realized that Iblis was a creature characterized by cunning and ingratitude. He then knew that Iblis was his eternal enemy. He was greatly astonished at Iblis’s audacity and Allah’s tolerance. Immediately after his creation Adam witnessed the large amount of freedom that Allah gives to His commissioned creatures.

Allah knew that Iblis was not going to obey Him in prostrating before Adam. Allah could have totally annihilated him or turned him into a handful of dust or stifled the refusal in his mouth. Yet, Allah gives His commissioned creatures absolute freedom even to the extent that they can refuse Allah the Almighty’s commands. He grants them the freedom of denial, disobedience, and even disagreement with Him.

His kingdom will not diminish if the disbelievers do not believe in Him nor will it be extended if many people believe in Him. On the contrary, the disbelievers will lose, and the believers will gain but Allah is above all of that.

There were many traditions about Iblis at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ibn Masud, Ibn Abbas and a group of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Iblis had been the head of the angels in the worldly heavens. Ibn Abbas said in one narration that his name had been Azazil and in another narration he said it had been Al Harith. Ibn Abbas also said that Iblis was a jinn and that they had once been the keepers of Paradise, with Iblis the most honorable and the most learned and the most pious of them. Another tradition says that he had been one of the famous four possessors of wings (angels), before Allah transformed him into the accursed Satan.

Allah Almighty recounts Iblis’s disobedience in another surah: Remember when your Lord said to the angels: “Truly I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.” So the angels prostrated themselves all of them; except Iblis, he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.

Allah said: “The truth is, and the truth I say, that I will fill Hell with you and those of them (mankind) that follow you together.” (Ch 38:71-85 Quran).

After this lesson about freedom Adam learned another lesson, one about knowledge. Adam realized that Iblis was the symbol of evil in the universe and that the angels were the symbol of good. However he did not yet know anything about himself. Then Allah made him perceive his true identity and the reason for his creation, and the secret of his glorification.

Allah the Exalted said: He taught Adam all the names of everything. (Ch 2:31 Quran).

Almighty Allah granted Adam the power to know the natures of all things and to summarize them by names; that is a bird, that is a star, that is a tree, etc Allah implanted in Adam an insatiable need for and love of knowledge and a desire to bequeath knowledge to his children. This was the reason for his creation and the secret of his glorification.

After Adam had learned the names of all things, along with their properties and uses, Allah presented them to the angels and said: “Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.” (Ch 2:31 Quran) the angels admitted their inability: “Glory be to You, we have knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily it is You the All Knower, the All Wise.” (Ch 2:32)

Allah Almighty then turned to Adam: “O Adam! Inform them of their names, ” and when he had informed them of their names, He said: “Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been hiding?” (Ch 2:33).

Allah wanted the angels to know that He knew of their astonishment when He had told them about the creation of Adam and that He also knew of their confusion which they had not revealed, as well as what Iblis had concealed of his disobedience and ingratitude.

The angels realized that Adam was the creature who knew what they did not know and that his capacity to learn was his noblest quality. His knowledge included knowledge of the Creator which we call faith or Islam, as well as the knowledge he would need to inhabit and master the earth. All kinds of worldly knowledge which are included in this.

Adam knew the names of everything. Sometimes he talked to the angels, but they were preoccupied with worshipping Almighty Allah. Therefore Adam, felt lonely. One day he slept and when he awoke he found near his head, a woman gazing at his face with beautiful tender eyes.

The angels asked him her name He replied: “Eve (Hawa).” (means living things). They asked: “Why did you call her Eve?” Adam said: “Because she was created of me and I am a living being.”

Ibn Abbas and a group of companions of the Prophet (PBUH) narrated that when Iblis was sent out of Paradise and Adam was accommodated therein, Adam was alone in Paradise and did not have a partner from whom he could get tranquility. He slept for some time and when he woke up, he saw a woman whom Allah had created from his ribs. So he asked her, “Who are you? She replied, “A woman” He asked: “Why have you been created?” She said :”So that you could find tranquility in me.” The angels, trying to find out the extent of his knowledge, asked him: “What is her name O Adam?” He replied, “Eve” They asked “Why was she so named?” He replied, ” Because she was created from something living.”

Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn Abbas related that Eve was created from the shortest left rib of Adam while he was sleeping and after awhile she was clothed with flesh. that is why Allah the Exalted said: O Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from Him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women. (Ch 4:1) Allah also said: It is he Who has created you from a single person (Adam) and then He created from him his wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her. (Ch 7:189).

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the women.” (Sahih Bukhari).

Allah commanded Adam to dwell in Paradise: “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 Zalimeen (wrong doers).(Ch 2:35)

The location of this Paradise is unknown to us. The Quran did not reveal it, and the commentators had five different opinions. Some said that it was the paradise of our refuge and that its place was heaven. Others regreted that statement because if it was the paradise of refuge Iblis would have been forbidden admission and disobedience would have been forbidden as well. Still others said that it was another paradise that was created by Allah for Adam and Eve. A fourth group said it was a paradise on the earth located in a high place. Another group of commentators accept what was in the Quran without questioning where this paradise was located. We agree with this last opinion as the lesson we learn from its location is immaterial compared to the lesson we leafrom the events that took place there.

Adam and eve were admitted to Paradise and there they lived the dream of all human beings. Allah permitted them to approach and enjoy everything except one tree, that might have been the Tree of Pain or the Tree of Knowledge. Allah forbade them they were give abode in Paradise. “But come not near this tree or you both will be of the wrong doers.” (Ch 2:35)

Adam and Eve understood that they were forbidden to eat the fruit of that tree. Adam was however a human being and man tends to forget. His heart changes and his will weakens. Iblis summoned all the envy within him and took advantage of Adam’s humanity to exploit him. He started to whisper to him day after day, coaxing him: “Shall I guide you to thTree of Immortality and the Eternal Kingdom?” He said to them: “Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save you should become angels or become of the immortals.” He (Satan) swore by Allah to them both saying: “Verily I am one of the sincere well wishers for you both.” (Ch 7:20-21)

Adam asked himself: “What will happen if I eat from this tree? It might truly be the Tree of Immortality.” His dream was to live forever in the pure innocence of Paradise.”

Years went by, and Adam and Eve were preoccupied with thoughts of that tree. Then one day they decided to eat of its fruit. They forgot that Allah had warned them not to approach it and that Iblis was their sworn enemy. Adam stretched out his hand, picked one of the fruits and offered it to Eve. They both ate of the forbidden tree.

Allah Almighty told us: “So he (Satan) misled them with deception.” (Ch 7:22) Allah said: “Thus did Adam disobey his Lord so he went astray.” (Ch 20:121).

According to the old Testament, Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat of the forbidden tree. She ate because of the words of the serpent and fed Adam some of it. At that moment, their eyes were opened to the fact that they were naked, and they took the leaves of the fig tree to cover themselves. Wahb Ibn Munabah said that their clothing (before their sin) was made of light on the private parts of both of them.

This story in the Old Testament is a falsification and deception. Allah the Almighty revealed: O Children of Adam! Let not Satan deceive you, as he got your parents (Adam and Eve) out of Paradise stripping them of their rainments; to show them their private parts. Verily he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the devils (protectors and helpers) for those who believe not.” (Ch 7:27)

Adam had hardly finished eating when he felt his heart contract, and he as filled with pain, sadness and shame. The surrounding atmosphere had changed and the internal music had stopped. He discovered that he and his wife were naked, so they both started cutting tree leaves with which to cover themselves.

Allah the Almighty addressed him: “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily Satan is an open enemy unto you?” They said: “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.” Allah said; “Get down, one of you an enemy to the other (Adam, Eve, and Satan etc). On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment, for a time.” He said: “Therein you shall live and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be brought out (resurrected).” (7:22-25).

Again there are old stories about these events. Al Hafez Ibn Asaker narrated that Allah commanded two angels to remove Adam from His holy proximity. So Gabriel stripped him of the crown on his head, and Michael took the diadem from his forehead. Adam thought that his punishment had been hastened and bowed down crying; “Forgiveness! Forgiveness!” so Allah asked: “Are you running away from Me?” Adam replied, “No, my Lord, but I am shy of You.”

Abdul Rahman Ibn Amru AL Awza iy said that Adam spent 100 years in Paradise. In another narration it was said he spent 60 years. Ibn Asaker reported that Adam wept for 60 years for his loss of Paradise and 70 years for his mistake, and he wept for another 70 years when his son was killed.

They left Paradise and descended upon the earth. Adam was sad and Eve was crying. Allah accepted their repentance because it was sincere and He told them that the earth would be their realm and origin where they would live and die and whence they would come on the Day of Judgment.

Allah the Almighty recounted this third lesson Adam learned in Paradise: Indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm will power. Remember when We said to the angels “Prostrate yourselves to Adam.” They prostrated (all) except Iblis, who refused. then We said: “O Adam! verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. so let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you be distressed in misery. Verily, you have (a promise from Us) that you will never be hungry therein nor naked. And you will suffer not from thrist therein nor from the sun’s heat.”

then Satan whispered to him, saying “O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?” Then they both ate of that tree, and so their private parts appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness and gave him guidance.

Allah said: “Get you down (upon the earth), both of you, together from Paradise, some of you are an enemy to some others. THen if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders etc). Verily, for him is a life of hardship and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.”

He will say: “O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight before.” Allah will said: “like this, Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc). came unto you, but you disregarded them (you left them, did not think deeply in them, and you turned away from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected in the Hellfire, away from Allah’s Mercy.)”

And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds (commits the great sins and disobeys his Lord (allah) and believes not in His Messengers, and His revealed Books, like this Quran etc), and believes not in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc). of his Lord, and the torment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting. (Ch 20:115-127)

Some people believe that the reason why mankind does not dwell in Paradise is that Adam was disobedient and that if it had not been for this sin, we could have been there all along. These are naive fictions because when Allah wanted to create Adam, He said to the angels, “I shall make a vicegerent on the earth.” He did not say, “I shall make a vicegerent in Paradise.”

Adam’s descent on earth, then, was not due to degradation but rather it was dignified descent. Allah knew that Adam and Eve would eat of the tree and descend to earth. He knew that Satan would rape their innocence. That experience was essential for their life on earth; it was a cornerstone of their vicegerency. It was meant to teach Adam, Eve, and their progeny that it was Satan who had caused them to be expelled from Paradise and that the road to Paradise can only be reached by obedience to Allah and enmity to Satan.

Could it be said that Adam and the rest of mankind were predestined to sin and to be expelled from Paradise and sent to the earth? In fact, this fiction is as naive as the first one.

Adam complete free will, and he bore the consequences of his deed. He disobeyed by eating of the forbidden tree, so Allah dismissed him from Paradise. His disobedience does not negate his freedom. On the contrary it is a consequence of it.

The truth of the matter is that Allah knew what was going to happen, as He always know the outcome of events before they take place. However Allah does not force things to happen. He grants free will to His human creatures. On that He bases His supreme wisdom in populating the earth, establishing the vicegerents, and so on.

Adam understood his 3rd lesson. He knew now in a practical way that Iblis was his enemy, the cause of his losing the blessing of living in Paradise, and the cause of his distress. Adam also understood that Allah punishes disobedience and that the way of Paradise has to be through submission to the will of Allah. And he learned from Allah Almighty to ask for forgiveness.

Allah accepted Adam’s repentance and forgave him. He then sent him to the earth as His first messenger.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) said: “Adam and Moses argued with each other. Moses said to Adam: ‘Your sin expelled you from Paradise.’ Adam said: ‘ You are Moses whom Allah selected as His messenger and as the one to whom He spoke directly. Yet you blame me for a thing which had already been written in my fate before my Creation?” Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said twice, “So Adam outclassed Moses.” (Sahih Bukhari).

Umar Ibn Al Khattab also narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Moses (PBUH) said: ‘My Lord! May I see Adam who removed us and himself from the Paradise?” so Allah made him see Adam and he said to him: “Are you Adam?” Adam said: “yes.” And he said “Were you the one in Whom Allah breathed His spirit and before whom He bowed His angels and to whom He taught the names of all things?” Adam answered: “yes.” so Moses said: “What made you remove us and yourself from Paradise.?”

Adam said: “Who are you?” Moses said: I am Moses.” Adam said: “So you are Moses the prophet of the Children of Israel. Were you the one Allah spoke to directly?” Moses answered “yes.” Adam said: “Why do you blame me for a matter which Allah had predestined?” So Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said twice. “Adam outclassed Moses.” (Sahih al Bukhari).

there are many traditions concerning the place of Adam’s descent upon earth. Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Ibn Abbas said: “Adam descended on land ‘Dihna’ between Mecca and taif.” AL Hassan said that Adam descended in India and Eve in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Iblis Bodistiman (Iraq), and the serpent in Ashahan (Iran). This last was also reported by Ibn Hatim.

Ass’ady related that Adam descended with the Black Stone (a large black stone set into the wall of the ka’ba in Mecca. It is said to have come from Paradise) in India, and he had a handful of the seeds of Paradise. He sowed them in India and they grew into the fragrant tree therein.

Ibn Umar said that Adam descended on As-Safa and Eve on Al Marwa ( names of two mountains in the vicinity of the sacred house in Mecca. Part of the rites of pilgrimage (hajj) includes pacing between these two hills in commemoration of H’s search for water). This was also reported by Ibn Hatim. Abdul Razzaq reported that Abi Musa Al-shari said that when Allah ordered Adam to descend from Paradise to earth, He taught him the making of everything and provided him with the crops from Paradise.

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The best of days on which the sun has risen is Friday. One this day Adam was created, and on this day he was descended to earth.” (al Bukhari)

Adam knew he bade farewell to peace and he left Paradise. On earth he had to face conflict and struggle. No sooner had one ended than another began. He also had to toil to sustain himself. He had to protect himself with clothes and weapons and protect his wife and children from the wild beasts. Above all he had to struggle with the spirit of evil. Satan, the cause of his expulsion from Paradise, continued to beguile him and his children in an effort to have them thrown into the eternal hellfire. The battle between good and evil is continuous, but those who follow Allah’s guidance and should fear nothing while those who disobey Allah and follow Iblis will be damned along with him.

Adam grasped all of this and with the knowledge of this suffering he started his life on the earth. The only thing that allowed his grief was that he was master of the earth and had to make it yield to him. He was the one who had to perpetuate, cultivate and construct and populate the earth. He was also the one who had to procreate and raise children who would change and improve the world.

The pinnacle of earthly bliss was reached when Adam and Eve witnessed the birth of their 1st children, a set of twins. Adam was a devoted father and Eve a contented mother. The twins were Cain (Qabil) and his sister. Later Eve gave birth to a second set of twins, Abel (Habil) and his sister. The family enjoyed the bounties and fruits of the earth provided by their Lord. The children grew up to be strong and healthy young adults. Cain tilled the land while Abel raised cattle.

The time arrived when the two young men desired life partners. This was part of Allah’s plan for mankind, to multiply and form nations with different cultures and colors. Allah revealed to Adam that he should marry each son to the twin sister of the other. Adam instructed his children according to Allah’s command, but Cain was displeased with the partner chosen for him, for Abel’s twin sister was not as beautiful as his own.

It appears that since the beginning of time, physical beauty has been a factor in the attraction between man and women. This attraction caused Cain to envy his brother Abel. He rebelled against Allah’s command by refusing to accept his father’s advice.

At first glance Cain’s rebellion might appear strange, but we should remember that although man has a pure nature, the potential for dichotomy exists. In other words, he had both good and bad qualities. He can become greedy, covetous,possessive, selfish and even destructive. Man is, therefore capable of seeking self-satisfaction even if it leads to failure in this life and in the hereafter. The path to goodness lies in harnessing the enemy within him, his baser self by controlling evil thoughts and deeds and practicing moderation in his desires and actions. His reward then will be the delights of this world and the hereafter. Thus Allah tests us through our divided nature.

Adam was in a dilemma. He wanted peace and harmony in his family, so he invoked Allah for help. Allah commanded that each son offer a sacrifice, and he whose offering was accepted would have right on his side. Abel offered his best camel while Cain offered his worst grain. His sacrifice was not accepted by Allah because of his disobedience to his father and the insincerity in his offering.

This enraged Cain even further. Realizing that his hopes marrying his own beautiful sister were fading, he threatened his brother. “I will kill you! I refuse to see you happy while I remain unhappy!”

Abel feeling sorry for his brother, replied, “It would be more proper for you, my brother to search for the cause of your unhappiness and then walk in the way of peace. Allah accepts the deeds only from those who serve and fear Him, not from those who reject His Commands.”

Abel was intelligent, obedient, and always ready to obey the will of Allah. This contrasted sharply with his brother who was arrogant, selfish and disobedient to his Lord. Abel did not fear his brother’s threats, but neither did he want his brother to be hurt, Allah had blessed Abel with purity and compassion.

Hoping to allay the hatred seething in his brother Abel said, ” My brother, you are deviating from the right path and are sinful in your decisions. It is better that you repent to Allah and forget about your foolish threat. But if you do not then I will leave the matter in the hands of Allah. You alone will bear the consequence of your sin, for the Fire is the reward of the wrong-doers.”

This brotherly plea did nothing to lessen the hatred in Cain’s heart, nor did he show fear of Allah’s punishment. Even familial considerations were cast aside. Cain struck his brother with a stone killing him instantly. This was the 1st death and the 1st criminal act committed by man on earth.

When Abel had not appeared for some time, Adam began to search for him but found no trace of his beloved son. He asked Cain about Abel’s whereabouts. Cain insolently replied that he was not his brother’s keeper nor his protector. From these words his father understood that Abel was dead and Adam was filled with grief.

Meanwhile Cain did not know what to do with his brother’s corpse. He carried it on his back wandering from place to place trying to hide it. His anger had now subsided and his conscience was saddled with guilt. He was tiring under the burden of the corpse which had started to have a stench. As a mercy, and to show that dignity could be retained even in death, Allah sent two ravens that began fighting, causing the death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws to dig a hole in the ground, rolled its victim into it and covered it with sand.

Witnessing this, Cain was overcome with shame and remorse. “Woe unto me!” he exclaimed. “I was unable to do what this raven has done, that is to hide my brother’s corpse.” Cain then buried his brother. This was also the 1st burial of man.

Allah the Almighty revealed: And (O Muhammad) recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam (Abel and Cain) in truth; when each offered a sacrifice to Allah, it was accepted from the one but not from the other. The latter said to the former; “I will surely kill you.”

the former said: “Verily Allah accepts only from those who are Al Muttaqeen (the pious). If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me I shall never stretch my hand against you to kill you, for I fear Allah; the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinn, and all that exists). Verily I intend to let you draw my sin onyourself as well as yours then you will be one of the dwellers of the Fire, and that is the recompense of the Zalimeen (polytheists, and wrongdoers).”

So the self of the other (latter one) encouraged him and made fair seeming to him the murder of his brother; he murdered him and became one of the losers. Allah sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead body of his brother. He (the murderer) said: “Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide the dead body of my brother?” Then he became one of those who regretted. (Ch 5:27-31).

Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masud and a group of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) related that inter-marriage of the male of one pregnancy with the female of another had been in practice among Adam’s children. Abel wanted to marry Cain’s sister, but Cain wanted her for himself because she was very beautiful. Adam ordered him to give her in marriage to his brother but he refused. SO Adam ordered both of them to offer a sacrifice, then went to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage. After Adam had left, they offered their sacrifices; Abel offered a fat lamb, he was a shepherd, while Cain offered a bundle of worst grain. fire descended and devoured Abel’s sacrifice, leaving that of Cain so he became angry and said: “I will surely kill you so that you will not marry my sister.” Abel replied, “Allah accepts from those who fear Him.”

According to Abu Ja’afar al Baqer, Adam was watching their offering and was sure that Abel’s sacrifice would be accepted. Cain complained to Adam that the acceptance was due to his supplication for Abel and that he had not done the same for him, so he promised his father to settle the matter between himself and his brother. One night, Abel was late returning from tending his flock. Adam sent Cain to see what happened to him. When he found him, he glared at him saying: “yours was accepted, and mine was not.” Abel replied, “Allah only accepts from the Allah-fearing.” Cain became angry on hearing this and hit him with a piece of iron that was with him and thus killing him. In another version it was said that he killed him with a rock to the head while he was sleeping.

Adam was utterly grief stricken by the loss of his two sons. One was dead, the other was won over by the devil. Adam prayed for his son and turned to mundane matters for he had to toil for his sustenance. At the same time he was a prophet advising his children and grandchildren, telling them about Allah and calling them to believe in Him. He told them about Iblis and warned them by recounting his own experience with the devil and of how the devil had tempted Cain to kill his brother.

Years and years passed, Adam grew old and his children spread all over the earth. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq related that when Adam’s death drew near, he appointed his son Seth to be his successor and taught him the hours of the day and night along with their appropriate acts of worship. He also foretold to him the floor that would come.

Abu Dhar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Allah sent down 104 psalms, of which 50 were sent down to Seth.”

Abdullah Ibn Al Iman Ahmad Ibn Hanbal narrated that Ubai Ibn Kab said: “When Adam’s death was near, he said to his children: “O my children, indeed I feel an appetite for the fruits of Paradise.”

So they went away searching for what Adam had requested. They met with the angels, who had with them his shroud and what he was to be embalmed with. They said to them: “O Children of Adam, what are you searching for? What do you want? Where are you going?”

They said: “Our father is sick and has an appetite for the fruits of Paradise.”

the angels said to them: “Go back, for your father is going to meet his end soon.”

So they returned (with the angels) and when Eve saw them she recognized them. She tried to hide herself behind Adam. He said to her. “Leave me alone. I came before you; do not go between me and the angels of my Lord.’ So they took his soul, embalmed and wrapped him, dug the grave and laid him in it. They prayed on him and put him in his grave, saying: ‘O Children of Adam, this is your tradition at the time of death.”"

Before his death Adam reassured his children that Allah would not leave man alone on the earth, but would sent His prophets to guide them. the prophets would have different names, traits and miracles, but they would be united in one thing; the call to worship Allah alone. This was Adam’s bequest to his children. Adam finished speaking and closed his eyes. Then the angels entered his room and surrounded him. When he recognized the Angel of Death among them, his heart smiled peacefully.

After Adam’s death, his soth Seth (Shiith) took over the responsibilities of prophethood, according to a hadith narrated by Abu Dhar. Abu Dhar narrated that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah sent down one hundred and four psalms, of which fifty were sent down to Seth.” (Sahih al Bukhari) When the time of his death came Seth’s son Anoush succeeded him. He in turn, was succeeded by his son Qinan, claim that Mahlabeel was the King of the Seven Regions, that he was the first one to cut down trees to build cities and large forts and that he built the cities of Babylonia. He reigned for a period of forty years. When he died his duties were taken ov er by his son Yard, who on his death, bequeathed them to his son Khonoukh, who is Idris (pbuh) according to the majority of the scholars.

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