The epic of humanity begins not on Earth, but in the heavens. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), in His infinite wisdom, informed the angelic assembly of His divine plan: He was establishing a “Khalifah” (خَلِيفَة) on Earth. This pivotal term signifies a “vicegerent,” “successor,” or “steward”—a being entrusted to inhabit and cultivate the planet, generation after generation.
This momentous conversation is captured forever in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30):
وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٞ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةٗۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
(Wa iz qaala rabbuka lil malaaa’ikati innee jaa’ilun fil ardi khaleefatan qaalooo ataj’alu feehaa mai yufsidu feehaa wa yasfikud dimaaa’a wa nahnu nusabbihu bihamdika wa nuqaddisu laka qaala inneee a’lamu maa laa ta’lamoon)
English Translation: “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?’ Allah said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'” (2:30)
Understanding the Angels’ Question: A Query, Not a Protest
This verse presents a critical point of theology: How could the angels, who are perfectly obedient, seem to question Allah’s plan?
To understand their response, one must first understand their nature. In Islam, angels are unique creations, distinct from humanity. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described them as being “created from light” (Sahih Muslim 2996), in contrast to jinns, who were “created from a smokeless flame of fire.”
Their defining purpose is absolute and unwavering obedience. The Quran repeatedly confirms this:
- They are “angels, who do not disobey Allah in whatever He commands them and who perform whatever they are commanded to.” (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6)
- “They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:49-50)
- They are “only His honored servants, who do not speak until He has spoken, only acting at His command.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:26-27)
A Request for Wisdom, Not a Dispute
Given their perfect obedience, Quranic commentators (Mufassirun) explain that the angels’ statement was not an act of dispute, rebellion, or envy (hasad). It was a genuine expression of wonderment (ta’ajjub) and a humble request for understanding.
They were not doubting Allah’s wisdom but seeking it. Some scholars suggest the angels may have witnessed the previous corruption of the Jinn, who inhabited the earth before humanity, and thus associated “creation on Earth” with such outcomes. Their query, therefore, was: “O our Lord, what is the divine wisdom in this new creation, while we are here in constant, perfect praise and sanctification of You?”
Allah’s response is both definitive and merciful, containing the core of the entire event:
“Indeed, I know that which you do not know.”
He did not rebuke them. Instead, He would demonstrate the wisdom behind this Khalifah. As the following verses of Surah Baqarah explain, this new creation was to be honored with a unique gift: Knowledge. It was this knowledge that would prove Adam’s purpose and lead the angels to their famous admission:
The Creation of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ): The First Man
Following the divine announcement, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) began the physical creation of the first man. This was a unique and direct act of creation, establishing the honored lineage of humanity.
The Material: From Earth’s Diverse Clay
Prophet Adam (as) was fashioned from a handful of clay gathered from all parts of the earth. This foundational act holds a profound wisdom, as it foretells the very nature of his descendants. The diversity in the soil from which he was made is the divine reason for the diversity of humanity.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) explained this in a clear narration:
“Indeed Allah Most High created Adam from a handful that He took from all of the earth. So the children of Adam come in accordance with the earth, some of them come red, and white and black, and between that, and the thin, the thick, the filthy, and the clean.”— (Tirmidhi 2955 – Sahih)
This clay was molded and left to dry. The Quran describes this state as “Salsal” —a “sounding clay like the clay of pottery” (Surah Ar-Rahman 55:14). It was this hollow, dry form that Iblis (Satan) would later encounter.
The Form: The Stature of the First Man
Adam’s (as) original form was one of magnificent stature. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) gave us a glimpse of this, saying:
“Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall […] And everyone who enters Paradise will be in the form of Adam…”— (Sahih Bukhari 3326)
This hadith also states, “People have been decreasing in stature since Adam’s creation.” While some scholars interpret the full 60-cubit stature as his eternal form in Paradise (Jannah), with his height being made appropriate for Earth upon his descent, the narrations confirm his grand and perfect original form, created directly by Allah.
The Wait: The Envy of Iblis
Classical commentaries, including the work of Ibn Kathir, narrate that Adam’s molded clay figure remained as a lifeless form for a period (some traditions mention 40 years). During this time, the angels would pass by this new, strange creation with awe.
However, one being, Iblis (Satan), passed by with arrogance and a growing envy (hasad). He would circle the lifeless figure, striking the hollow clay, which produced a ringing sound. He taunted the form, underestimating its purpose, and vowing in his heart, “If I gain dominion over you, I will destroy you; and if you gain power over me, I will surely disobey you.”
This period of waiting was nearing its end. The final and most blessed stage of his creation, as reported in Sahih Muslim 2789, occurred in the last blessed hours of Friday, after ‘Asr.
The Command: The Imminent Honor
The moment for the dry clay to be honored had arrived. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) issued a new, momentous command to the angels. This command prepared them for the final stage of creation and the first great test of obedience:
“Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.”— (Surah Sad, 38:71-72)
The Story of Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ): The Father of Humanity
The epic of humanity begins not on Earth, but in the heavens. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), in His infinite wisdom, informed the angelic assembly of His divine plan: He was establishing a “Khalifah” (خَلِيفَة) on Earth. This pivotal term signifies a “vicegerent,” “successor,” or “steward”—a being entrusted to inhabit and cultivate the planet, generation after generation.
This momentous conversation is captured forever in the Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30):
وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٞ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةٗۖ…
English Translation: “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?’ Allah said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'” (2:30)
Understanding the Angels’ Question: A Query, Not a Protest
This verse presents a critical point of theology: How could the angels, who are perfectly obedient, seem to question Allah’s plan?
To understand their response, one must first understand their nature. In Islam, angels are unique creations, distinct from humanity. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described them as being “created from light” (Sahih Muslim 2996), in contrast to jinns, who were “created from a smokeless flame of fire.”
Their defining purpose is absolute and unwavering obedience. The Quran repeatedly confirms this:
- They are “angels, who do not disobey Allah in whatever He commands them and who perform whatever they are commanded to.” (Surah At-Tahrim, 66:6)
- They “fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:49-50)
Given their perfect obedience, Quranic commentators (Mufassirun) explain that the angels’ statement was not an act of dispute, rebellion, or envy (hasad). It was a genuine expression of wonderment (ta’ajjub) and a humble request for understanding.
They were not doubting Allah’s wisdom but seeking it. Allah’s definitive response was: “Indeed, I know that which you do not know.” He would soon demonstrate the wisdom behind this Khalifah by bestowing upon him a unique gift: Knowledge. It was this knowledge that would lead the angels to their famous admission:
“Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. You are truly the All-Knowing, All-Wise.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:32)
The Creation of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ): The First Man
Following the divine announcement, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) began the physical creation of the first man.
The Material: From Earth’s Diverse Clay
Prophet Adam (as) was fashioned from a handful of clay gathered from all parts of the earth. This foundational act holds a profound wisdom, as it foretells the very nature of his descendants. The diversity in the soil is the divine reason for the diversity of humanity.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) explained this:
“Indeed Allah Most High created Adam from a handful that He took from all of the earth. So the children of Adam come in accordance with the earth, some of them come red, and white and black, and between that, and the thin, the thick, the filthy, and the clean.”— (Tirmidhi 2955 – Sahih)
This clay was molded and left to dry. The Quran describes this state as “Salsal” sounding clay like the clay of pottery” (Surah Ar-Rahman 55:14). It was this hollow, dry form that Iblis (Satan) would later encounter.
The Form: The Stature of the First Man
Adam’s (as) original form was one of magnificent stature. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Allah created Adam, making him 60 cubits tall […] And everyone who enters Paradise will be in the form of Adam…”— (Sahih Bukhari 3326)
This hadith also states, “People have been decreasing in stature since Adam’s creation.” While some scholars interpret the full 60-cubit stature as his eternal form in Paradise (Jannah), the narrations confirm his grand and perfect original form, created directly by Allah.
The Wait: The Envy of Iblis
Classical commentaries narrate that Adam’s molded clay figure remained lifeless for a period. During this time, Iblis (Satan), already harboring envy (hasad), would circle the form. He would strike the hollow clay, which produced a ringing sound, taunting it and vowing in his heart, “If I gain dominion over you, I will destroy you; and if you gain power over me, I will surely disobey you.”
This period of waiting, as reported in Sahih Muslim 2789, ended on the blessed day of Friday, after ‘Asr. The moment for the dry clay to be honored had arrived.
The First Prostration: The Honor of Adam and the Arrogance of Iblis
This was the first great test of loyalty in the heavens, centered on the new creation, Adam.
The Breath of Life and the First WordsThe time for the divine honor arrived. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) issued the command: “So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration” (Surah Sad, 38:72).
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) then breathed the “Ruh” (الروح – soul) into the clay form, and the first man, Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), came to life.
According to a narration (Jami at-Tirmidhi 3367), the first act of the living Adam (as) was to sneeze, upon which Allah inspired him to say: “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is due to Allah). In response, his Lord, the Most Merciful, replied, “Yarhamuk-Allah” (May Allah have mercy upon you, O Adam).
The First Disobedience: Iblis Refuses to ProstrateAt the instant of Adam’s animation, the divine command took effect. All angels in the assembly immediately “fell down in prostration, all of them entirely, Except Iblis…” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:30-31).
This raises a key question: Was Iblis an angel? The Quran decisively clarifies this in Surah Al-Kahf (18:50):
“And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ and they prostrated, except for Iblis. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord.”
This distinction is critical. Angels are created from light and do not possess the free will to disobey. Iblis, being a Jinn created from fire, possessed free will (ikhtiyar), just as humans do. He chose to disobey.
The Dialogue of Arrogance (Kibr) and the CurseAllah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), in His full knowledge, asked Iblis to expose his motive:
“[Allah] said, ‘O Iblis! What is the matter with you that you did not join others in prostration?’” (Surah Al-Hijr 15:32)
Iblis’s reply became the blueprint for all future arrogance, racism, and pride. He revealed the Kibr (arrogance) in his heart, declaring:
“I am better than he. You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:12)
This was the first act of defiance. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) was angered and said: “So get out! You are truly cursed.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:34).
Now exposed as “Ar-Rajim” (the Accursed), Iblis did not repent. Instead, he appealed for a delay: “My Lord! Then delay my end until the Day of their resurrection.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:36).
He then cemented his role as the eternal enemy of mankind, vowing: “My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all, Except, among them, Your chosen servants.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:39-40).
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) granted the respite, establishing the terms of this spiritual war: “Indeed, My servants – no authority will you have over them, except those who follow you of the deviators. And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all…” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:41-43).
The First Lesson: The Greeting of Peace
Newly endowed with life, Adam (as) was a direct witness to this cosmic exchange. A deep sense of love for his Creator filled his heart, but he was also struck by the blatant disobedience and unprovoked hatred of Iblis, recognizing him instantly as the enemy.
After this first test, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) gave Adam (as) his first instruction. He instructed him to go to a nearby gathering of angels and greet them.
Adam (as) approached them and said: “As-salaamu alaikum” (Peace be upon you).The angels replied: “Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah” (May the peace and mercy of Allah be with you too).