After Allah Almighty gave life into Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ, He commanded everyone present to prostrate before Adam as a gesture of honor. However, iblis refused to prostrate before Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ. Quran says:
قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍ ١٢
“(Allah asked iblis:) What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?” [Satan] said, “I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay [i.e., earth].” Sura Araf 7:12
In reality, iblis disobeyed Allah Almighty’s command and became Rajeem (the accursed and rejected one)—may Allah protect us from such a fate!
To mislead humanity, iblis asked Allah for respite and for his life to be extended until the Day of Judgment.
Allah Almighty’s knowledge and wisdom are infinite. He knows everything, and nothing is hidden from Him. He knows who obeys His commands without hesitation, who makes excuses and delays, and who questions His commands and prohibitions. Allah granted iblis respite and extended his life, but He also made it clear that iblis would have no power over His grateful servants. By Allah’s mercy, those who remain grateful to Him will be protected.
Satan tempted Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and his wife. In their innocence, they forgot and approached the tree, eating its fruit, which had been forbidden to them. In accordance with His knowledge and wisdom, Allah Almighty sent them down to the earth. Satan, too, was given a place on earth, with the aim of misleading humanity.
Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ felt deeply ashamed and remorseful for his actions. He earnestly pleaded with Allah for forgiveness. In fact, Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ was a righteous servant of Allah; he was also a Prophet. During a particular test, he simply forgot one of Allah’s instructions; he was never one who deliberately disobeyed Allah’s commands. We know that all Prophets are free from sin. How could they commit sins or transgress against Allah? They never did. Adam’s عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ shame, repentance, and humility greatly elevated his status in the sight of Allah.
We are all familiar with these events. Allah Almighty has mentioned the story of Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and iblis several times in the Quran because it contains profound lessons for all of humanity—for every one of us. It would perhaps not be an exaggeration to say that the story of Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ offers one of the greatest lessons for human life.
The fundamental purpose of human life is to obey the commands and prohibitions of our Lord. iblis was given one command, but he disobeyed it. Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and his wife were given one prohibition. They forgot what they were supposed to do and made a mistake. iblis was jealous, arrogant, and impulsive. In contrast, Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ was pure-hearted and humble, and as soon as he remembered after forgetting, he hastened to turn back to Allah.
This is precisely the fundamental test of our life in this world! Satan failed the test, while Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ passed it. Whom should we follow—the one who failed or the one who passed?
Why does the Quran mention the story of Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and iblis repeatedly? Because this is where human beings make their fundamental mistakes: disobeying Allah’s commands and prohibitions. Satan considers himself superior and better than others. Envying others, feeling secure from Allah’s punishment, and despairing of His mercy are satanic traits. In contrast, cleanliness of heart, purity, and immediately acknowledging one’s mistakes or sins are qualities of the righteous. Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ presented exemplary lessons in humility, turning towards Allah, and not delaying repentance.
If we follow Satan and engage in the deeds he committed or encourages us to commit, then we too will have to face the same fate as those who follow him. He will go to Hell, where he will remain in the Fire forever, suffering Allah’s punishment—may Allah protect us from such a fate! Conversely, if we follow the path of Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and adopt the way he followed, then, as part of his company, we too will attain success and enjoy everlasting peace!
All the Prophets عَلَيْهِمُ لسَّلَامُ conveyed the same fundamental message. What greater blessing could we have than being part of the Ummah of the final and greatest Prophet! May countless blessings and salutations be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ!
Like the Prophets who came before him, our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ repeatedly warned his Ummah—including us—not to follow in Satan’s footsteps. A Hadith clearly teaches us that whenever we commit a sin, we should follow it with a good deed. This is the opposite of Satan’s characteristic, for he is obstinate and persists in wrongdoing, committing one sin after another. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ teaches us not to continue sinning after committing a sin, but rather to feel remorse, humble ourselves before Allah, and return to righteous deeds. This is the way of Adam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ, the father of humanity!
The path we choose to follow will determine the outcome we ultimately reach. The consequence of satanic deeds is Allah’s wrath and Hellfire, while the reward for righteous deeds is Allah’s pleasure and Paradise. So, let us make a wise choice!
