5 Points of Quranic Advice From the Account of Prophet Adam علیہ السلام

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Five Points of Quranic Advice from the Account of Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام

Dhul Qurnayn Ahmad

(Senior student of Fiqh, Jamia tul Madina, Faizan e Madina, Faisalabad)

The Quran is the word of Allah that contains guidance for the universe. It is a source of mercy and cure for the believers, and it teaches us about the previous prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام and their nations. The Quran states:

لَقَدۡ کَانَ فِیۡ قَصَصِہِمۡ عِبۡرَۃٌ  لِّاُولِی الۡاَلۡبَابِ ؕ

“Indeed, there is a lesson in their accounts for the possessors of insight.”^[1]

Here are five lessons we learn from the account of Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام:

1. Consulting subordinates

The news that a vicegerent would be made was given to the angels in a way that apparently seems like consultation. In reality, Allah Almighty is free of any need for consultation. The Quran states:

اِنِّیْ جَاعِلٌ فِی الْاَرْضِ خَلِیْفَةً

“I am about to make a vicegerent (khalīfah) upon the earth.”^[2]

This teaches us to discuss important matters with subordinates before making a final decision. Conversations like this will provide beneficial feedback to solve potential problems.^[3]

2. Arrogance is a satanic trait

Allah revealed the superiority of Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام over the angels, and after commanding the Devil to prostrate to him عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, he was arrogant and disobeyed Allah. The Quran states:

اَبٰی وَ اسۡتَکۡبَرَ ٭۫ وَ کَانَ مِنَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ (۳۴)

“He refused and expressed arrogance and became a disbeliever.”^[4]

This incident shows that arrogance is a dangerous characteristic than can lead to disbelief. Therefore, it is necessary for every Muslim to refrain from possessing it.

3. Avoiding that which leads to the impermissible

Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was told not to eat from a specific tree in Paradise, but he was also prohibited from going near it. The Quran states:

وَ لَا تَقۡرَبَا ہٰذِہِ الشَّجَرَۃَ

“Do not go near this tree.”^[5]

From this verse, the scholars have derived that in order to protect yourself from committing sin, you must avoid everything that leads to it.^[6]

4. Jealousy creates enmity

The Quran states:

فَقُلۡنَا یٰۤـاٰدَمُ  اِنَّ  ہٰذَا عَدُوٌّ لَّکَ وَ لِزَوۡجِکَ فَلَا یُخۡرِجَنَّکُمَا مِنَ الۡجَنَّۃِ فَتَشۡقٰی

“We said, ‘O Ādam! Indeed, he is an enemy for you and your wife, so most certainly do not let him drive you out of Paradise, otherwise you will be distressed.’”^[7]

When the Devil saw the blessings that Allah bestowed upon Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, he became jealous, and this led to enmity. We must learn from this incident and avoid jealousy.

5. Goodness is in obedience to Allah

When Prophet Ādam عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام and his wife Sayyidatuna Ḥawwā رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا left Paradise, Allah stated:

بَعۡضُکُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۚ فَاِمَّا یَاۡتِیَنَّکُمۡ مِّنِّیۡ ہُدًی ۬ۙ فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ ہُدَایَ فَلَا یَضِلُّ  وَ لَا  یَشۡقٰی(۱۲۳)

“Some of you will become enemies for others; So, o people, if guidance comes to you from Me, then whosoever follows My guidance shall neither be misguided nor ill-fated.”^[8]

The people of this nation who act upon the commands of the Quran and obey the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم will not be misguided, and they will be saved from torment on the Day of Judgement. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to act upon the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in order to be successful in both worlds.^[9]

May Allah grant us the ability to act upon this Quranic advice.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم