The Story of Adam (AS)
📘 From Surah Al-Baqarah & Tafseer As-Sa‘di
The story of Prophet Adam (عليه السلام) is more than just the tale of the first human; it is a foundational account of human nature, divine mercy, repentance, and the eternal conflict between good and evil.
Through the lens adapted from Tafseer As-Sa‘di, we explore the verses from Surah Al-Baqarah (2:35–37) and related ayat that illustrate this journey.
1. The Blessing of Paradise and the First Command
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:35
وَقُلْنَا يَـٰٓـٔادَمُ ٱسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
“We said: O Adam! Dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat freely from it wherever you may wish; but do not approach this tree, or else you will both become transgressors.”
Allah created Adam (AS), honored him, and placed him in Paradise alongside his wife Hawwa (Eve). They were allowed to enjoy its abundant blessings—with one clear restriction: not to approach a specific tree. This was a test of obedience.
2. The Slip and Descent to Earth
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:36
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا ٱهْبِطُوا۟ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّۭ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّۭ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍۢ
“Then Shayṭān made them slip from it and brought them out of the state they had been in. We said: Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another. And on earth you will have a dwelling place and provision for a time.”
Shayṭān (Satan) deceived Adam and Hawwa by making their disobedience appear attractive. As a result, they were removed from the bliss of Paradise and sent down to Earth, a place of striving, struggle, and temporary dwelling.
3. Warnings and Enmity
Allah reminds humanity of their enemy:
Surah Fatir 35:6
إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ فَٱتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوًّا ۚ إِنَّمَا يَدْعُوا۟ حِزْبَهُۥ لِيَكُونُوا۟ مِنْ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
“Indeed, Shayṭān is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the companions of the Blaze.”
Surah Al-Kahf 18:50
أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِى وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ ۚ بِئْسَ لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ بَدَلًۭا
“Will you then take him and his offspring as allies instead of Me while they are enemies to you? What a miserable exchange for the wrongdoers!”
This enmity is not just symbolic. It is real and ongoing—a constant struggle between good and evil, between divine obedience and satanic whispers.
4. Earth: A Temporary Abode
This world is not our permanent home.
وَلَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّۭ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍۢ
“…and on earth you will have an abode and your means of livelihood for a while.”
This reminds us that this life is fleeting, a temporary station. It is a place of testing, not permanence. Our real home is the Hereafter, and this world is merely a bridge to it.
5. The Power of Repentance and Divine Mercy
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:37
فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَـٰتٍۢ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“Then Adam received some words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”
Adam (AS) realized his mistake. He sought forgiveness. Allah inspired him with the words of repentance:
Surah Al-A’raf 7:23
رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.”
This is the essence of Tawbah (repentance): recognizing one’s error, turning back to Allah, and seeking His mercy.
6. Allah – The Accepter of Repentance
فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“…and He accepted his repentance. For He is the Accepter of repentance, the Most Merciful.”
Adam (peace be upon him) acknowledged his mistake and turned to Allah sincerely.
{And He}, meaning Allah ﷻ,
{accepted his repentance} — meaning He forgave him and overlooked his error.
{For He is the Accepter of Repentance} — i.e., the One who always accepts sincere repentance from those who return to Him with humility and remorse.
{The Most Merciful} — this highlights Allah’s compassion toward His slaves. He not only accepts repentance, but also guides people to it in the first place. Out of His mercy, He enables His servants to realize their wrongs, feel regret, and seek forgiveness — and then He pardons them.
Allah’s acceptance is marked by two blessings:
- The ability to repent – He inspires and enables it.
- Acceptance of that repentance – when the conditions are sincerely met.
Allah’s mercy is vast. He not only forgives but lovingly guides His servants back to Him.
Conclusion
These powerful verses from Surah Al-Baqarah (2:35–37) offer timeless lessons:
- Allah tests His creation—even His prophets—through commands and prohibitions.
- The story of Adam (AS) is a story of human nature: temptation, error, realization, and redemption.
- Shayṭān’s deception is subtle but dangerous, and enmity between him and humanity is lifelong.
- The world is a temporary abode; the true life is in the Hereafter.
- No matter how great a sin may be, sincere repentance is always accepted.
- Allah is At-Tawwab (The Accepter of Repentance) and Ar-Rahim (The Most Merciful).
Let us not be deceived as Adam (AS) was, but let us also not despair—because just as Allah accepted Adam’s repentance, He is ready to accept ours.
May Allah ﷻ guide us to avoid Shayṭān’s whispers, live with purpose in this temporary world, and always return to Him in sincere repentance.
Aameen!
The Enduring Good Deeds 
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