Was sending of Prophet Adam to earth Divinely Pre-Ordained or committing "The Original Sin" the cause

"Expulsion" of Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his wife Eve from Heavens to earth draws a complete contrast between the Injeel (The Gospel) and Al Qur'an. The followers of the Gospel or the modern day Bible believe that it was the violation of the Divine Order for not nearing a particular tree in the Heaven and eating its fruit despite forbiddance became the Original Sin for which the duo was expelled from Heaven to earth. And all coming posterity. 

However, the Qur'an depicts a different reason for "sending" the duo to earth. We will draw a comparison of both versions in this post today. However it is only for intellectual / academic insight, and not in any case to prove who is right and who is wrong. 

Biblical Account

• The story unfolds in Genesis 2–3:Setting: God creates Adam and Eve, placing them in Eden with one prohibition: not to eat from the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:16–17), under penalty of death.
• The Temptation: A serpent (often interpreted as Satan) tempts Eve, questioning God's command and promising godlike wisdom (Genesis 3:1–5).
• The Act: Eve eats the fruit and shares it with Adam. Their "eyes are opened," they recognize their nakedness, and they hide from God (Genesis 3:6–7).
• Consequences: 
• "God curses the serpent, the ground, and the couple—introducing pain in childbirth, toil, and expulsion from Eden (Genesis 3:14–19)." 
• This event symbolizes humanity's fall from innocence.

This narrative is echoed in the New Testament, e.g., Romans 5:12: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."

Original sin is thus a foundational doctrine in Christian theology, referring to the first act of disobedience by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis 3. This "sin" fundamentally altered human nature, introducing mortality, suffering, and a propensity for sin into the world. It's not just the act itself but its inherited consequences for all humanity. 

The Qur'anic Account

The mention of "expulsion" of Prophet Adam and his wife commences much better that the anecdote of nearing the tree of the forbidden tree and enticement of Iblis (Satan) to eat its fruit, thus defying the exclusive Divine Commandment and committing an unpardonable sin which could become a cause of their expulsion from Heaven to earth. 

Herein under is the Qur'anic account:

Sequence of Events of Making a Man

• Making of the First ever Man from Clay: The Qur’an repeatedly mentions that man was created from clay (ṭīn), dust, or related terms, to emphasize both our humble origin and Allah’s power of creation. Below is a detailed description of these verses with their wording and context:
• Surah As-Sajdah (32:7): “He began the creation of man from clay.”
• Surah Al-Mu’minūn (23:12): “And certainly We created man from an extract of clay.”
• Surah Al-Raḥmān (55:14): “He created man from sounding clay like pottery.”
• Surah Al-Ḥijr (15:26): “And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.”
• From dust (turāb): “Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was.” (3:59)
• The appointment of man (Adam عليه السلام) as Khalīfah (vicegerent) on earth:
• Having decided to make the first man, Allah decided to make this man his vicegerent on earth.
• The account of Prophet Adam is first mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah (2:30): “And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will place upon the earth a successive authority (khalīfah).’ They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?’ He said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’”
• This verse sets the context: Allah declared His plan to appoint mankind as His representative on earth.
• And this clearly means that Adam was yet to be made and the Divine mindset laid out its plan to make a human and send him to earth as His vicegerent on earth. 
• Meaning of Khalifa / vicegerent
• Vicegerent / Representative: To act on earth in a way that upholds Allah’s commands.
• Successor / Generation after generation: Humans succeed one another in responsibility.
• It signifies duty and responsibility, not just privilege. Man is entrusted to establish justice, worship Allah, and avoid corruption.

• Allah's Plan and Angels' Wondering
• Allah announced His plan (2:30) – that humans would be His khalīfah on earth.
• Angels questioned, not objected: They wondered why humans, with free will, might spread bloodshed, while they themselves only glorify Allah.
• Allah affirmed His wisdom: He has knowledge of qualities (such as intellect, moral responsibility, capacity to learn, and potential for worship) that angels do not.
• Allah taught Adam names/knowledge (2:31–33) – showing man’s unique gift of knowledge and ability to learn.
• The Order to Prostrate the First Man:  
• Once the man was made and taught the Divine wisdom, angels were ordered to prostrate. 
• Command to prostrate (2:34) – After Adam was given knowledge, Allah ordered the angels to prostrate to Adam as an honor (not worship). All obeyed except Iblīs (Satan), who arrogantly refused. And or this disobedience Iblīs was expelled from the Divine Court.

So, yes, the mention of Adam being appointed khalīfah (2:30) on earth comes before the command of prostration (2:34) in the Qur’anic sequence and eating of the fruit from the forbidden tree.

Enticement by Iblīs (Satan)

The Qur’an then narrates the story of Adam (عليه السلام) and his wife, the forbidden tree, Shayṭān’s enticement, their fall, and their repentance (duʿā’) in several places. Let’s go step by step:

• Eating the Forbidden Tree: In Qur'an a number of places the episode of eating the forbidden fruit is given. Some are quoted herein under:
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:35–36): 
• “And We said, ‘O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in abundance wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.’
• But Shayṭān caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been.”
• Surah Al-Aʿrāf (7:19–22):
• Allah commanded: “O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will, but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.”
• Shayṭān whispered: “Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become immortal.”
• Then he swore: “Indeed, I am to you a sincere advisor.”
• “So he misled them with deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their shame became apparent to them, and they began to fasten together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise.”
• Surah Ṭā Hā (20:120–121):
• Shayṭān whispered: “O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and a kingdom that will never decay?”
• “And they both ate from it, and their private parts became apparent to them, and they began to cover themselves with leaves of Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred.”

The Difference between Bible and Qur'an begin from Here on

• Version of Bible:
• After the episode of enticement by Shayṭān, the Bible tells us that they were expelled from Heaven to earth fo committing the "Original Sin" which they carried and transformed the Original Sin to every new born till the world lasted.
• "God curses the serpent, the ground, and the couple—introducing pain in childbirth, toil, and expulsion from Eden (Genesis 3:14–19)." 
• This event symbolizes humanity's fall from innocence.
• Version of Al Qur'an: qur'an from hereon differs from the Bible and mentions that both Adam and Eve made a supplication for forgiveness and God forgave them:
• Their Supplication for Forgiveness
• Surah Al-Aʿrāf (7:23): “They said, ‘Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.’”
• This is the duʿā’ of Adam and Ḥawwā’, showing acknowledgment of sin, confession, and appeal to Allah’s mercy.
• Allah’s Forgiveness
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:37): “Then Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”
• Surah Ṭā Hā (20:122): “Then his Lord chose him, turned to him in forgiveness, and guided him.”

Hadith about wiping of sins of those embracing Islam

In addition to the above explanation of man being born with out sins, there are clear and authentic Ḥadīths about forgiveness of sins when a person sincerely repents his past sins and embraces Islam. Let me share some of the strongest Ḥadīths on the subject:

• Sahih Muslim (121) – Narrated by Amr ibn al-‘Ās (RA):
• When Allah put Islam in his heart, Amr (RA) came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: “Stretch out your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you.”
• The Prophet ﷺ stretched out his hand, but Amr withdrew his. The Prophet ﷺ asked, “What is wrong with you, O Amr?”
• He said, “I want to make a condition that Allah will forgive me my past sins.”
• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do you not know that Islam destroys (erases) what came before it, and hijrah destroys what came before it, and Hajj destroys what came before it?”
• That means When someone accepts Islam, all their previous sins are forgiven, and they start with a clean slate.
• Forgiveness upon repentance
• Sahih Muslim (2749): The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who repents from sin is like the one who has no sin.”
• This vindicates the repentance of Prophet Adam and his Divine forgiveness.
• Allah’s mercy is greater than all sins
• Sahih al-Bukhari (7554), Sahih Muslim (2751): The Prophet ﷺ said: Allah says: “O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and then you asked forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, if you were to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth, and then meet Me without associating anything with Me, I would come to you with forgiveness nearly as great as it.”
• This hadith once again reassures a man that no matter how much sins a man may committed, if he repents sincerely, Allah will accept his repentance and forgive him. Though the sin of Prophet of Adam was grave for defying the Divine Commandment, he was still forgiven. 
• So there is no question to have moved to earth laden with the Original Sin.

Lessons for Us Today

• Anyone who accepts Islam becomes as pure as a newborn baby, free of all past sins.
• For Muslims, sincere tawbah (repentance) has the same effect: Allah erases sins and restores purity.
• This highlights Allah’s immense mercy — He loves to forgive, and His forgiveness is greater than any sin.

The Conclusion

The above detailed comparison shows that:

• Allah had already chosen to send a man He would make to the earth as His vicegerent
• The eating of the forbidden fruit was not the reason of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Heaven to earth as per Bible. Rather it was pre-ordained to happen at a time to be decided by Allah.
• Since Allah had pardoned Adam and Eve of their folly of falling to the Satanic enticement, there is no question of carrying the sin of defiance of Allah by them to the earth.
• And since they were sinless, there also doesn't no question arises of transformation of the so called Original Sin to their posterity. 

You may like to listen to a narration on the subject of Khalifah on Earth: The Real Story of Adam by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan, given herein under:

With this explanation, I leave here for academic, intellectual and theological correlation of events for those who want to ponder more over the subject.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo: Grok | References: | ChatGPT and Grok | Al Qur'an | Hadith References: | Sahi Muslim 12m 1 | Sahi Muslim 2749 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

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Striking Resemblance between Surah 113 Al Falaq and Surah 114 An Naas

The two concluding Sürahs, that is Sürah 113. Al Falaq and Sürah 114 An Naas have a striking resemblance between the two. Sürah Al Falaq and Sürah An Naas, though are two Sürahs of the Qur'an are separate entities and are written in the Mushaf also under separate names, yet they are so deeply related mutually and their contents so closely resemble each other's that they have been designated by a common name Mu'awwidhatayn (the two Sürahs in which refuge with Allah has been sought, or literally 'the two protectingones'). That is in both Sürahs refuge has been sought from evil: 

• In Sürah Al Falaq from the outer evils,
• While in Sürah An Naas protection from inner evil is prayed for. 

Imam Baihaqi in Dala'il an-Nubuwwat has written that these Surahs were revealed together, that is why the combined name of both is Mu'awwidhatayn.

These two consecutive surahs are recited in order to dispel any form of evil that may be the work of the devil, evil spirits like jinn, effect of black magic or the evil eye. It is generally believed that these two surahs were revealed on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as an antidote for a spell laid on him.

Now as per the evasion of outer evil, as is sought in the Surah 113. Al Falaq, man has no control over them. That is to say from the evil of the darkness, the black magic or the evil eye by others targeting a person as is mentioned in the verse 4-6 of the surah:

(113:3) from the evil of night's darkness when it spreads around;

(113:4) from the evil of the women who blow on knots;

(113:5) and from the evil of the envier when he envies.

The details of these verses is given in the tafsir/exegesis of the Surah Al Falaq already published. It can be seen that the person being targeted may not even know that evil is being cast on him unless he starts to feel the ill effects of the evil. One should be careful if one buys a new car better than his relatives or colleagues, or gets a good job or buys new clothes, because he is likely to fall prey tom the evil eyes. Even women blow knots into handmade dolls or pierce pins into these to cast an evil spell on their adversaries due to jealousy or enmity. 

Those (feminine) who blow on knots', this having been a favourite form of witchcraft practiced by perverted women. Such secret arts cause psychological terror. They may be what is called magic, or secret plotting, or the display of false and seductive charms (iii. 14), or the spreading of false and secret rumours or slanders to frighten men or deter them from right action. There is fraud in such things, but men are swayed by it. They should cast off fear and do their duty. Such people existed a lot among the Jews and also among the soothsayers of the Arabs. But the irony is that such practices are still in vogue even in the Muslim communities even today.

These are cases of outer evil on which one has no control and can easily fall prey to these evil machinations.

On the contrary, Surah 114. An Naas warn against the satanic whispers within one's heart that mislead a person and compel him to do evil things and commit a sin. By  reciting this surah we seek refuge with Allah from the slinking whisperers, as forewarned in the following three verses of the surah:

(114:4) from the mischief of the whispering, elusive prompter who returns again and again,

(114:5) who whispers in the hearts of people; 

(114:6) whether he be from the jinn or humans.”

Here a believer has control to suppress or ignore the evil whispers and save him from wrong doings. Such whispers are often cast on a believer's heart specially when he stands up to offer Salat (prayer) and disturbs his thoughts and rather than offering prayer in humility and full concentration, his thoughts are disturbed. In so doing one usually forgets how many rakat one has offered and has to reread to undo his mistakes. This whispers also compel a believer against his fellow brother and sometimes these whispers so over power one's thinking abilities that one commits sins beyond any proportion.

Evil insinuates itself in all sorts of insidious ways from within so as to sap man's will, which was given to man by Allah. This power of evil may be Satan, or evil men or the evil inclinations within man's own will: for there are "evil ones among men and Jinns, inspiring each other with flowery discourses by way of deception" (vi. 112). They secretly whisper evil and then withdraw, to make their net the more subtle and alluring.

This last verse of Surah An Naas amplifies the description of the sources from which the whisper of evil may emanate: they may be men whom you may see or invisible spirits of evil working within. See last note. So long as we put ourselves in Allah's protection, and trust in Allah, evil cannot really touch us in our essential and inner life. 

It may be noted that whether it is the jinn or men who induce these latent suggestions in people, their general psyche is that once a person is caught in their web of deception, they totally absolve themselves of the consequences and leave people to themselves. Such devils can always be seen among human beings. It is evident from the Qur’ān that the devils from among the jinn too are no different. The word خَنَّاس depicts this very character so that people always keep the insincerity and treachery of Satan in mind. Thus, at another instances, the Qur’ān states that he is an eternal deceiver (khadhūl), all his promises are mere deception and in the Hereafter too he will absolve himself of all consequences and abandon his followers.

You may also like to know who is a Qareen and what is his association with man and how he is part of the Satan to whisper evil in your heart. Read our post on Qareen. 

Thus these two surahs which closely resemble in substance, warn the believers to be watchful of outer and inner evil so as not to fall into their trap and get astray. Whenever one feels any sort of spell over him or whisper in his heart that are misleading, one should recite these two surahs regularly and seek refuge with the Lord of mankind, Allah the Almighty, the oft forgiving and protector.

If a person is superstitious and credulous and instead of relying on sense and reason relies on speculation and conjecture and if instead of deeply trusting God clings to doubts and skepticism, then such a person is often lured by devils among the jinn and men, who then escort him to all sorts of evil. The only way to protect oneself from this evil, according to this sūrah, is to remain in the asylum of the Almighty. Whenever a person feels that his heart is getting inclined to evil, he should immediately seek refuge with Him. The best way to do this is to recite these two last sūrahs of the Qur’ān. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 9, 663)

Please refer to our Reference Page "114 Chapters (Sūrahs) of the Holy Qur'an" for translation, explanation and exegesis of all other chapters of the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Reading the Holy Quran should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Holy Qur'an from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that:

• The plain translation and explanation has been taken from the Holy Quran officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 
• The exegesis of the chapters of the Holy Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi. 

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided by [2], additional input has been interjected from following sources (links to Reference Pages given below):  

• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
• Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Qur'an Wiki
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
• Tafsir Nouman Ali Khan
• Towards Understanding the Quran

In addition the references of  other sources which have been explored have also been given below. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites:

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Bible and Quran

All Muslims around the world testify that there is no gods but Allah and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his messenger. Beside this basic testimony of faith, the Muslims also believe in all the prophets and messengers sent by Allah Almighty before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the holy books Zaboor, Psalms and Bible and Quran, and the day of Judgment:

Thus as a Muslim I too believe in all the prophets and messengers and the holy books reveled on the prophets Dawood (David), Musa (Moses) and Isa (Isac) (peace be upon them all), besides the Holy Quran, the last holy book revealed by Allah on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

And the Holy Quran makes many references to events and incidents that have been mentioned in the earlier three books, though with some variations. But it is amazing for me to note that the people of Holy Books cross question Quran and its injections based on the knowledge they have from the their books and finally conclude that their books contain truth and that Quran, Allah forbids, is incomplete and in fact an effort by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to mislead the people of earlier faith.

I will quote many such examples in the following lines. But let just say one thing that there have been many theories presented by scientists and scholars which have either been validated by their successors or totally disregarded based on new knowledge available. Likewise, the Holy Quran which is the last Holy Book by Allah Almighty, is the final word on the commandments sent by Allah earlier for there has to be no prophet or messenger after Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and that Holy Quran is to be the last revealed holy book from Allah Almighty.

Before we discuss some contradictions and similarities of Bible and Quran, I would like to clarify one thing. While reading about Bible and many comments by the followers of the third holy book, I found that many of them consider Allah to be something different from their God. This is simply amazing. We have names of the same objects and people and even prophets spelt differently in different languages. For example, Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) is spelt as Moses in English, while Prophet Eesa (peace be upon him) is known as Jesus by Christians. Likewise in Arabic Mariam is what is Mary in Bible and Hawwa is Eve and so on.

Likewise the word God in Arabic is spelt as Allah, the omnipotent and the one who is the creator of the entire universe, even other than our planet earth. Thus considering Allah to be something different from God, the same God mentioned in the three earlier holy books is nothing but lack of knowledge of Arabic language. 

We will continue the topic in the coming posts to talk specifically on some of the major contradictions between Bible and Quran.

Photos: Bible | Quran
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