Adam's descent to earth and his death – Part Two

Therefore, brothers and sisters, I want to concentrate, for a few minutes, on the danger of disobedience and its effect on your life.  I will give you some examples for the results of disobedience, for you to be certain and say “yes, it did happen to me when I disobeyed Allah”.

1-     Anger of Allah (SWT) [1].

2-     The hatred and cursing of the believers on you. Al-Hassan Al-Basry says, “Be ware that any of you be cursed in the hearts of the believers without his awareness” He was asked how do the hearts of believers curse him without him being aware, he said, “by working to disobey Allah ;and Allah throws his hatred in the hearts of believers.”

3-     Being deprived of knowledge. I complained to Wakee’a of my inability to learn by heart and he guided me to leave disobediences.  He said that knowledge is light and the disobeying person cannot find the light of Allah.(This is a translation for two poetry verses were recited by Imam Shfai’y who complained to the famous judge Wakee’a of bad memory)

4-     Being deprived of sustenance.  Some people say their sustenance is decreased.

5-     A feeling of estrangement between you and Allah (SWT).  You are unable to raise your hands to him and ask Him as there is no closeness between you and Him, and you feel estranged as a result of your disobediences.

6-     An estrangement between you and other people.  You can then clearly see the results of your disobedience.

7-     Darkness of the face.  Abdullah Ibn-Abbas says, “Disobedience gives blackness to the face, darkness in the heart, hatred in people's hearts, weakness in the body and a lack in sustenance.  While a good deed gives brightness to the face, lightness in the heart, love in the people's hearts, strength in the body and abundance in sustenance.”

8-     Missing acts of obedience.  When you want to commit to an act of obedience, Allah (SWT) does not help you to complete it.

9-     Generating other disobediences.  You commit a sin and it brings you to a second, then to a third and so on.

10- Allah (AW)[2] degrades you. "…and whomever Allah degrades, then none will honor him"  (TMQ, 22:18) [3].  He degraded them so they disobeyed Him, but if He honored them, He would have saved them.

11- A feeling of humiliation in your heart.  The humility of disobedience cannot be covered by anything (even if you owned cars; bought expensive clothes; were proud of your beauty walking in the street while every body is looking at you).  The humility of disobedience will not leave your heart if you were a sinner.

12- Eliminating and replacing the bounties, since all bounties bestowed on people are never replaced except by disobediences.

13- The last and most difficult result is when your tongue lets you down when you most need it.  When is that?  When you are dying and unable to utter the Shahada (declaration of faith) as mountains of sins come upon your tongue to disable it of speech.

All these are results of sins and disobedience.

There is a story about a young man who was on a plane from Egypt to London.  Next to him was an elegant man with a briefcase in his hand.  During the flight, the angel of death came for that elegant man to take his soul.  The young man (a believer) felt that the man was dying so he urged him to utter the Shahada, but the man was preoccupied with his briefcase asking the young man to give it to him.  The dying man was unable to say the Shahada for all his thoughts were with his briefcase!  The young man insisted that he should say it but the man replied that he was unable to.  Do make sure that your tongue does not let you down especially at the moment of death.  Let's look at the following ayah.  Allah (TWT)[4] says what can be translated as, “O you have believed, be pious to Allah with His true piety, and definitely do not die except as Muslims.” (TMQ, 3:102).

If you lived obeying Allah (SWT) you are guaranteed what the ayah stated.  In other words, you will die in the best way and Allah (SWT) will help you resist disobedience.

I do not want to pressure you with this lesson or put a burden upon you.  The most important thing is to know how to resist disobedience.  You can do that by resorting to Allah (SWT) for strength, by praying to Him to help you stop a sin that you were insisting on committing for a while.  Be persistent with Him until He opens the door for you and saves you from that sin.  Resorting to Allah (SWT), prayer, being aware of Iblis’s (Satan) work, and continuing to tame yourself, as well as getting away from bad company and accompanying believers will help you get away from sins.  Doing many good deeds specially dhikr (remembrance of Allah (SWT)), praying in the mosque, reading Qur'an and attending religious lessons will also help you get away from sins, and obeying Allah (AW).

Do we feel ashamed from Allah (SWT)?  Ibnul-Qayyim says, “Being happy for committing a sin or laughing at that time is more serious to Allah (SWT) than the sin itself (because of your disrespect to Allah (SWT)).  Regretting that you have missed the sin is more serious to Allah (SWT) than the sin itself (your insistence to commit a sin, although you are unable to, is more serious to Allah (SWT) than the sin.”  For example, when you go out in the street to meet a woman, but you do not get the chance as she rode a bus, and you could not follow her, you feel sad for missing that opportunity.  This is more serious to Allah (SWT).)  Caring to hide from the eyes of people while committing a sin and not caring that Allah (SWT) knows what you are doing is more serious to Allah (SWT) than the sin itself.  This is an act of disrespect to Allah (SWT).

I know I have scared you of sins, but now I want to open your hearts for repentance.  Let us have a look at our master Adam (AS) while he was seeking repentance.  There is no one among us who never erred.  The errors are many, but the door of repentance is beautiful.  It was not meant for us not to err, but every time we do, we should repent to Allah (SWT) to forgive us.

Our master Adam (AS) did not know how to repent because he was the first man to repent.  He was not like us, for we have learned how to repent by asking for Allah's forgiveness.  It was his first error and he did not know what to say.  Look at this ayah where Allah says what can be translated as," Then Adam received (some) Words from his Lord; so He relented towards him"(TMQ, 2:37).

Allah (SWT) told him to utter a few words to forgive him, and He accepted his repentance.  I ask you by Allah, does any one doubt that Allah (SWT) will have mercy and forgiveness?  I swear by Allah that He will have mercy on us Insha’ Allah.

Look at Allah's mercy and how He accepts the repentance of His slaves.  Praise be to Allah.  It would be very strange if you knew Allah (SWT) and not love Him; if He opens the door for you and you do not enter; and if He is showing affection to you while you are showing affection to someone else.  Who can do this?

What are the words that Adam (AS) uttered for Allah (SWT) to forgive him?  They are in the ayah where Allah says what can be translated as, "They both said, “Our Lord, we have done an injustice to ourselves; and in case You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, indeed we (both) will definitely be among the losers.”(TMQ, 7:23).  These were the words.  Therefore we lose everything if we do not have the mercy of Allah (SWT).  Please keep repeating them, and may Allah accept our repentance.  Allah (SWT) sends each of us words to say to Him in order to accept our repentance.  Adam (AS) said these words and Allah (SWT) forgave him.

The question now is can any one of us repent at this very moment?  Yes, we can.  For instance, a person who has been disobedient to his parents for two years, or was taking 'marijuana' or any of the other new toxics that we all know of, or any other thing.  Can he repent immediately?  Yes, he can, he should feel immediate regret just as Adam (AS) felt, intend never to go back to that sin again and stop committing it.  Do you feel the pain inside you?  Are your tears running down your cheeks?  Do you regret your sin and intend never to go back to it?  I congratulate you, for Allah (SWT) has accepted your repentance and erased your sin.  Is that all?  Yes it is!

If you used to neglect the prayers, then repented and went back to pray, you might ask yourself, what about the five years I missed of prayers?  Will I be held accountable for them even after having repented, feeling regret and being punctual with my prayers?  I can tell you that Allah (SWT) will erase those five years.

I would also like to explain that even if you have given up the sin and Allah (SWT) has accepted your repentance, but you sinned again and repented, Allah (SWT) will, once again, accept your repentance.  Even if you sinned a third time, and later fulfilled the conditions of repentance, Allah (SWT) would still accept your repentance.  The meaning here is that every time you sin, then repent sincerely, regret having committed it and intend not to go back to it again, Allah (SWT) will forgive you, and accept your repentance.

A man came to the Prophet (SAWS)[5] and said, “O Prophet of Allah, if I committed a bad deed, will it be written?”  The Prophet said, “Yes”.  So the man asked, “What if I quitted it and asked forgiveness?”  The Prophet said, “It will be deleted”.  The man kept repeating the same question and the Prophet kept repeating the same reply, till the man finally asked, “How many times will Allah delete a bad deed?”.  The Prophet (SAWS) replied, “Allah would never get tired of forgiveness till you get tired of asking His forgiveness”. (Narrated by al-Iraqi, Takhreej al-Ihia’a, 183/4).

The evidence is that Allah, after accepting Adam’s (AS) repentance, chose him and made him a prophet despite his previous disobedience.  Look into this ayah where Allah says what can be translated as, "Surely Allah has elected Adam and Nuh (Adam and Noah, respectively) and the house of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the house of Imran over the worlds." (TMQ 3:30).  Also look into these ayahs where Allah says what can be translated as, "… And Adam disobeyed his Lord; so he became misguided.  Thereafter his Lord selected him; so He relented to him, and He guided him"(TMQ, 20:121-122).                                  

One might wonder if any one of us sinned but then repented and Allah (SWT) forgave him, will the result be that Allah (SWT) will raise his grades and make him an example for other believers?  Of course it can happen.  Allah (SWT) might select any one of us even after ten years of disobeying, after being repented.  He can place you above the obedient for your sincerity and you may even overtake the one who has been religious for ten years.

The road to Allah (SWT), as we see, is very easy.  We will be asked about the words we said in this lesson on the Day of Judgment.

The strange thing is that Adam (AS), after being forgiven by Allah (SWT), kept weeping until he descended to earth.  That is why, on the Day of Judgment, when we seek an interceding, the first one we will go to is our master Adam (AS), where we will say,' O, you who Allah (SWT) has created with His own hands, and breathed into you of His spirit, intercede for us.  He would answer us, “Myself, myself, I have eaten from the forbidden tree.”  He has committed only one sin, therefore he remembers it, regrets it and feels sad because of it.  As for us, we have committed so many sins that we are unable to remember them!

I will give you an example.  When I was young, I used to own an old car.  I did not care about it even if it was hit because it was very old.  It did not have any importance to me to care for and preserve it.  I just wanted it to drive around.  I used to think that I was a negligent person, and this remained until I sold it and bought a new car.  I then started to care for my new car and preserve it from any accidents.  If I did have an accident I would feel sad and hurry to repair it.  I learned a strange thing.  I learned that we are doing the same to ourselves; if we have committed many sins we do not care if we increase them, and the sins get accumulated.  This will go on until Allah (SWT) bestows on you a new outlook (like the car).  How does that happen?  With repentance, a Umrah, a Hajj, a moment of truth with Allah (SWT) or when you wear hijab.  You will start to feel the change and will get away from bad company.  You will not believe that you have seen the light and that your soul is with Allah (SWT).   You do not want to get back and filthy it again with sins.  This is a very important meaning.

As I told you Adam (AS) kept weeping even after descending to earth.  Let us hear what Ibn-Al-Qayyim said,' Allah (SWT) told Adam, as He wanted to comfort him with a healing touch after seeing his continuous weeping, “O Adam I have inflicted you with sin because I like to show you my patience with you, and to show my generosity to you.  O Adam, if you did not sin, I would have removed all of you and brought other people to sin and then seek My forgiveness and I would forgive them.   O Adam, you used to come to me as kings come to kings (before the sin), but now you will come as a slave comes to kings, and I like that better.  O Adam, if I saved you and saved your sons after you from sins, on whom would I bestow my mercy, on whom would I bestow my forgiveness, and repentance.  I am The Superbly Relenting, the Ever-Merciful.  O Adam, do not be afraid of my saying to you, “Get out of paradise”, for paradise was only created for you.  But go down to earth and put your seeds there, then when you miss Me and like to come back to Me I would accept you and open the door of My paradise for you, and put you back to your prestigious position near Me.  O Adam, a sin that humbled you to us is better than an obedience you show off to us.”

Sometimes, sins are better as they break you and make you feel humiliated and humble with Allah (SWT).  This is the sweet taste of repentance, and the meaning of it is for you to learn a new type of slavery.  You will feel how poor you are and how much you need Allah (SWT) and His forgiveness.

Listen to this Hadith Qudsi: On the authority of Anas (RA)[6] who said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) say, “Allah the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it”.” (It was narrated by Anas Ibn Malik, Sunnan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 3608, in Sahih    Algamea’ by Al Albany 4338 (Good), also by Ahmad Ibn-Hanbal. Its chain of authorities is sound).

One scholar said, “A sin that leaves a sense of humiliation and weakness in your heart is better than an obedience which leaves a sense of pride.”

What is the difference between the disobedience of Adam (AS) and the disobedience of Iblis, and why was Iblis reprobated and regretfully rejected from paradise?  The difference is in repentance.  Adam (AS) repented but Iblis did not.  Instead, he said in the following ayah what can be translated as, “Respite me to the Day they are made to rise again” (TMQ, 7:14).  Did he say that in regret?  Was he weeping and repenting?  No, He wanted to take revenge from Adam (AS) and his sons.  Adam (AS), on the other hand, wanted Allah (SWT) to accept his repentance; he felt regret, shame and shyness from Allah (SWT).  This is the difference.

Therefore, I warn you from being one of Iblis's friends and from imitating him in sinning.  You have to repent immediately, be one of Adam's friends and repent to Allah (SWT) quickly so He would forgive you.

There is also another difference between Adam's disobedience and Iblis's.  Adam's disobedience was through one of the human senses, but Iblis's disobedience was by the heart.  This is a big difference.  Conceit, jealousy and hatred are among the most severe sins.  Any sin not related to the heart, you can back up from, but sins of the heart are more difficult.  Therefore, make sure that you do not have a disobedience of the heart.  As the Prophet (SAWS) said," He who has got a grain of arrogance in his heart will not enter paradise". (an authentic Hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Masoud in Sahih Muslim No. 147 ( 91))

Adam's disobedience was by one of his senses.  He then descended to earth, and Allah says what can be translated as, “Get down, each of you is an enemy of the other; (Literally: some of you an enemy of some)” (TMQ, 2:36).  Can we imagine what the state of Adam (AS) was when he descended from paradise to earth? 

Each one of us has a grade in paradise, and the grades vary.  What will be your grade?  You will tell yourself that if not for that particular sin you would have been in a higher grade.  Where is the Fajr prayer you used to miss because of sleep?  If you used to read the Qur’an you would be in a higher grade.  You can see those who are placed above you in paradise.  You know that when you read a single letter of the Qur’an you get ten good deeds, and I am not saying Alif, Lam, Meem, is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Meem is a letter.  The phrase "In the Name of Allah, The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful" (TMQ, Basmallah)   has 19 letters (in Arabic) and each is worth ten good deeds.  If you read a chapter every day, you would read seventy thousand letters, and if each is worth ten good deeds, this will mean seven hundred thousand good deeds.  Just look at the amount of good deeds you can get, and how many grades you can rise!

Adam (AS) descended to earth, but where?  And where did Hawwa (Eve) descend?  There is no clear evidence of that.  Most scholars said that Adam (AS) descended in India, and Hawaa in Jeddah.  It was called by that name, after the descending of Hawaa the 'grand mother' (in Arabic= Jeddah) as the people of Jeddah say.  The separation was for a long period of time.  Most people think that only Adam (AS) and Hawaa descended to earth, but Allah (SWT) told us in the Qur’an what can be translated as, "We said, “Get down out of it altogether”(TMQ, 2:38), which means that Iblis also descended to earth.

Adam (AS) kept searching for Hawaa until they met at the Mountain of Arafat.  It was called that because they met and recognized each other there.

When Adam (AS) and Hawaa met, they started to feel the instinct of sex and reproduction, which they did not feel in paradise.  They started to have their family when Hawaa was getting pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl each time.  Thus, the wisdom of reproduction started, and reproduction among those children.

Adam (AS) and his children started to build the earth through farming, crafts, hunting and sewing.  Do not think that to be religious you only have to perform prayer.  No, you should, at the same time, be successful in your studies, achieve progress and benefit your country.

Adam (AS) realized the mission for which he was descended to earth.  It is in the ayah where Allah says what can be translated as, “Surely I am making in the earth a successor” (TMQ, 2:30).  He always guided his sons to be good, educated them, and he worshipped Allah (SWT).  It is said that when Adam (AS) was descended to earth and saw how vast it was, he said "O Lord, is there no other worshipper to glorify You with me in this earth?  (Notice his concern and interest).  Allah said, "There will be from amongst your children, and I will have mosques where I am worshipped on your earth (and there we are, building and attending mosques. But did we build any life outside them?).

Allah (SWT) assigned Adam (AS) to build a house for Him, so he built the Holy Mosque, as Allah says what can be translated as," Surely the first Home laid down for mankind was indeed at Bakkah, (Another name of Makkah) a blessed (place) and a guidance to the worlds" (TMQ, 3:96).  Makkah was called Bakkah for the many weepers in that holy place (according to the Arabic language bakkah = to weep).

Allah (SWT) ordered him to go on pilgrimage to that Holy Mosque and then ordered him to build Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It was narrated by Abu-Dhaar, “I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Which mosque was built first?" He replied, "Al-Masjidul-Haram (the Prophet’s mosque)." I asked, "Which (was built) next?" He replied, "Al-Masjidul-Aqsa (i.e. Jerusalem)." I asked, "What was the period in between them?" He replied, "Forty (years)”. (Authentic Hadith.  Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 55, Number 636).

Do you see now the importance of the Aqsa Mosque, and how the hearts of Muslims should be attached to it?

Allah (SWT) wanted that the first two of His houses on this earth be built by our master, the father of humanity, Adam (AS).  He also wanted to combine  the two mosques for our Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) just like the case with Adam (AS) when He said what can be translated as, "All Extolment be (to Him), Who made His bondman to set forth by night from the Inviolable Mosque to the Further (Literally: Remotest) Mosque" (TMQ, 17:1).

One of the beautiful things I read is that Iblis became powerless and could not mislead our father Adam (AS) to sin on earth!  Why?  He could not deceive him twice.  Iblis knew for certain that he was unable to mislead Adam (AS) again.  But these days, we fall into sin and we keep repeating it.  Why do we let him deceive us?

Thus, when he wanted to threaten Adam (AS) he said "indeed I will definitely bring his offspring under my subjection, (Literally: under my palate; i.e., between my jaws)" (TMQ, 17:62).  He knew he won't be able to lure Adam (AS) again.  It was once only.   Unfortunately, many of us fall into the same sin more than once.

Adam (AS) had many divine books revealed to him.  It is said that they are about 21 books.  He lived long on earth, in a Hadith "Adam lived 940 years".

He also had many children, but we do not know the exact number.  In the final days of his life, he gathered his children and said, “My children, I miss the fruits of paradise”. (Authentic Hadith). [7]

Here, I would like to ask you this: does anybody long for the fruits of paradise, the rivers of paradise, the bliss and prosperity?  I swear by Allah that this life is worth nothing, not money, nor fame, nor prestige, nor a momentary desire.  All this is worth nothing.  If we have a profound belief we would feel that nothing is worth the trouble.   What is the value of talking about thousands while Allah (SWT), our Lord is not pleased?  What is the value of large amounts of money if my Lord is not pleased?   Our father Adam (AS) after one thousand minus sixty years said that he missed paradise.  We also long for paradise and wish to go back there.

Then, death came to him, and the angels let his soul pass away.  They washed him, wrapped him in a coffin and buried him in the earth, then threw the sand on him.  The angels then said this is your way, O sons of Adam.  Where was he buried?  We do not know, but as the Prophet (SAWS) said, "Allah created Adam on a Friday, descended him on it and he died on it and on Friday is the Day of Judgment"[8]

Hawaa wept long and hard over his death.  She wept for a whole year and then died out of her grief.

All Extolment be to Allah, why has love diminished in our homes these days?  Adam (AS) and Hawaa lived together for so long, and yet look how sad she was over his death!

You will find someone who would say, "I have been in jail (meaning being married) for ten years" and he is unhappy.

Just look at Hawwa and her love after all that time that she lived with her husband.  Why did love diminish in our homes?  I can tell you that it is because of our many sins!

Here is Omar Ibnul-Khattab (RA) when he married Um-Kalthum; daughter of Ali (RA), he used to say that he loved her dearly, and she loved him dearly too.  Omar died on a Sunday; and Um-Kulthum died the next day out of her grief for him!  This is how the homes of the sahaba (the Prophet's companions) were.  The Prophet (SAWS) remained missing Lady Khadijah (RA) for 13 years!  When he used to hear the voice of her sister passing near his home, he would hurry towards her and say, "O Allah, it is as the sound of Khadijah asking for permission".  Do you know why love has changed these days?  It is because a woman is no more a serene dwelling for her husband.  She no longer knows the meaning of the reply of Hawwa when our master Adam (AS) asked her why was she created, she said, 'to be a serene dwelling for you!'  Similarly, the men have forgotten the advice of the Prophet (SAWS) when he said, "Treat women nicely".[9]

This was the story of our master Adam (AS).  Did you love him and feel close to him?  Did you fear sins?  Did you love repentance and feel attached to it?

What is remaining is to tell you that when our Prophet (SAWS) was in Al-Israa and Al-Mi'raj (the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension to the seventh Heaven) and he was ascending the heaven, he met our master Adam (AS) whom he did not know before.  He saw a man sitting with a large number of people on his right and also on his left.  When the man looked to his right he laughed, and when he looked to his left he wept.  Then he said, “Welcome! O pious prophet and pious son.”  The Prophet inquired from Jibril (AS) “Gabriel” who the man was and Jibril informed him that he was Adam (AS) and the people around him were his offspring.  Those on his right were the people of Paradise and on his left, the people of Hell"[10]

Are you going to be on the right or on the left?  I wonder.

Our master Adam (AS) then met the Prophet (SAWS) and said, "Welcome to the pious prophet and son".   (In an authentic Hadith narrated by Bukhari). 

The Prophet said, "On the day of Resurrection Allah will say, 'O Adam!' Adam will reply, 'Labbaik our Lord, and Sa'daik ' Then there will be a loud call (saying), Allah orders you to take from among your offspring a mission for the (Hell) Fire.'  Adam will say, 'O Lord! Who are the mission for the (Hell) Fire?'  Allah will say, 'Out of each thousand, take out 999.'  “On the Day you will see it, every suckling female will get distracted away from whatever she has suckled, and every pregnant female will lay down her burden; and you see mankind drunken, and in no way are they drunken but the torment of Allah is strict” (TMQ, 22:2)  (When the Prophet mentioned this), the people were so distressed (and afraid) that their faces went pale. Whereupon the Prophet said, "From Gog and Magog nine-hundred ninety-nine will be taken out and one from you.  You Muslims (compared to the large number of other people) will be like a black hair on the side of a white ox, or a white hair on the side of a black ox, and I hope that you will be one-fourth of the people of Paradise." On that, we said, "Allahu-Akbar!"  Then he said, "I hope that you will be) one-third of the people of Paradise."  We again said, "Allahu-Akbar!"  Then he said, "(I hope that you will be) one-half of the people of Paradise."  So we said, Allahu Akbar."[11]

Next time, we will have the story of Kabil and Habil, the sons of Adam (AS).  Was a woman the cause of Kabil murdering Habil?  Who was the first prophet after Adam (AS), and what is the story of Idris (AS) “Enoch”?

AmrKhaled.net © جميع حقوق النشر محفوظة
This Article may be published and duplicated freely for private purposes, as long as the original source is mentioned. For all other purposes you need to obtain the prior written approval of the website administration. For info: dar_altarjama@amrkhaled.net