By
Umm Amal – Hiba magazine content writer
Was Adam (as) expelled from Jannah and sent to this earth as a punishment? Are we here as punishment too? We are often ignorant or have corrupt ideas about the purpose of our existence. These pertinent questions require a deeper look into the wisdom behind Adam’s (as) creation and subsequent story.
The dialogue between Allah (swt) and angels
“And (mention, O Muhammad), when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Indeed I will make upon the earth a successive authority’. They said: ‘Will you place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ He (Allah) said: ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’” (Al Baqarah 2:30)
It is clear that Allah (swt) did not share the knowledge of His wisdom about the creation plan with the angels. They learnt later that Adam (as) was Allah’s (swt) noblest creation with a mission on earth. Hence we are here on a mission too like our father Adam (as).
Iblis’s real intention is revealed
“And mention when We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate before Adam.’ So they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers. And We said: “O Adam, dwell you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in (ease and) abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrong doers.” (Al Baqarah 2:34-35)
In spite of being the best of Allah’s (swt) creation, both Adam (as) and Hawwa (as) ended up disobeying Allah (swt) due to the whispers of Iblis. This is human nature to forget and sometimes go off track. Hence Allah (swt) guides us to repent and turn back to Him instantly.
Adam (as), Hawwa (as) and Iblis, all three are sent down to earth
“But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that (condition) in which they had been. And We said: ‘Go down, (all of you), as enemies to one another and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.’” (Al Baqarah 2:36)
Allah (swt) gave temporary worldly provision for the children of both Adam (as) and Iblis, clearly stating that their ways will be different. To this day Iblis or Satan is misguiding Adam’s progeny. But the believers who worship Allah (swt), try to obey Him and follow the prophet’s (sa) course are protected and guided to the best end.
Allah (swt) guides
“We said: ‘Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs – those will be the companions of the fire, they will abide there in eternally.’” (Al Baqarah: 38-39)
Allah’s (swt) guidance comes from the Ayat of the Quran (spiritual signs) and via His creations scattered all across universally (material signs).
Allah’s (swt) wisdom is absolute and perfect, even though we are unable to fully comprehend it, the following are some reflections by the scholar Ibrahim At Tawejri in ‘Kitab ut Tauheed’ to analyze why Adam (as) and we were sent to this earth :
Wisdom #1
When the children of Adam (as) experience hardships, fatigue, worries, and other trials in this world they will be able to truly appreciate the peace, pleasures and perfection of Jannah. With the Hereafter as their goal, they will become grateful slaves of Allah (swt). In the earlier times, kings would send their successors or princes to encounter tough trials before they were handed over the control of the kingdom. Otherwise, anyone living in the lap of luxury would never truly appreciate it as a blessing.
Wisdom #2
Allah (swt) created messengers, and pious people in this world. On the other hand, He allowed Iblis to scheme and spread evil till the Day of Judgment. The good slaves of Allah (swt) draw closer to Him by withstanding evil and choosing Allah’s (swt) loyalty over Iblis. The good and the bad are exposed deserving their ultimate end.
Wisdom #3
It was Allah’s (swt) grand scheme of things to allow Adam (as) and his children a temporary stay in the world where they could witness the manifestation of Allah’s (swt) divine attributes. The the rise and fall of nations, the change in seasons, the alternation of night and day, the individual and family changes all help us understand the Al Asma Al Husna – beautiful names of Allah (swt) that also enable us to know who our Creator is. We make Dua to Allah (swt) using His names and form a divine connection with Him.
Wisdom #4
Adam (as) and his progeny were temporarily settled in Dunya so they could develop and grow in the faith of the unseen. Had they continued to live in Jannah, they would not have tasted the sweetness of this aspect of faith and not be honoured for it. They cannot witness Allah (swt), the angels, the hell or the heaven yet they believe and obey. That is what makes them entitled for Allah’s (swt) mercy and Jannah.
Wisdom #5
Adam (as) was created with a fistful of soil collected from all types of lands. This had opposing qualities like goodness and evil, ease and harshness. That is why we witness his children with different potentials, behaviours and faith in the world. They will be recompensed accordingly to their distinct individual abilities.
Wisdom #6
Allah (swt) states that the progeny of Adam (as) is granted a chance upon earth to battle against their desires, enemies and obstacles to draw closer to Allah (swt) and earn a special honour that is for none other. Angels only obey Allah (swt) as they neither have to control their desires, nor fight their enemies nor remove any obstacles. In spite of their complete submission, they are lower in status than humans.
Wisdom #7
It was Allah’s (swt) grand plan to expose Iblis and his true intention. His arrogance, his enmity, his opposition to Allah (swt) could never be revealed to its full extent in Jannah where he was perceived to be a devout worshipper amongst the angels. This knowledge about Iblis was only known to Allah (swt) until then. It was only when he was sent down along Adam (as) and Hawwa (as) that his true colours were shown to the children of Adam (as) as well.
Wisdom #8
We should be thankful to Allah (swt) Who granted us the opportunity in Dunya to test us and enabled us to join the ranks of the most pious through our own belief and efforts. This would not have been possible in Jannah, as was in case of Shaitan, who was living among the innocent angels but his wickedness was hidden. Now, only those slaves will be awarded Jannah who will strive in Dunya for Allah’s (swt) love and Allah (swt) will love them back.
Wisdom #9
Lastly, immense praise for the Lord (swt) for sending Adam (as) our father and us to the world. Had we not been sent to earth, we would not have the need to know Prophet Muhammad (sa) as the best human model, the Quran as our source of guidance, and Islam as the best way of life. Humans would have been deprived of these great opportunities. In Dunya they are put through trials and they become the choicest of slaves returning to Jannah, their journey back to Allah (swt) in peace.
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