Chapter 6

Adam and His Wife in Paradise

Opening Verse

“And We said, ‘O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise, and eat freely from wherever you wish. But do not approach this tree, or you will be among the wrongdoers.’”
— Qur’an 2:35

The Story

After creating Adam, Allah did not leave him alone.

Allah created for him a wife so that they might live together in tranquility and companionship.

Allah granted them a place in Paradise, where they enjoyed its blessings and were free to eat from its abundant provision.

Only one command was given:

They were not to approach a particular tree.

The Qur’an does not identify the type of tree, and neither should we claim to know what Allah did not reveal.

The purpose of the command was not the tree itself, but obedience to Allah.

Among the unseen creation was Iblis, who had already refused Allah’s command out of pride.

Although expelled because of his rebellion, he sought to mislead Adam and his wife.

He whispered to them, presenting disobedience as something beneficial. He tempted them with false promises and concealed the consequences of their action.

For a time, they resisted.

But eventually they ate from the tree.

Immediately they realized their mistake.

Their awareness was followed by shame and sincere regret. They began covering themselves with the leaves of Paradise.

Then Allah addressed them concerning what had occurred.

Unlike Iblis, who responded to his sin with arrogance, Adam and his wife turned to Allah in repentance.

Allah taught Adam words with which to seek forgiveness.

Adam and his wife confessed their error and sought Allah’s mercy.

Allah accepted their repentance.

His forgiveness demonstrated that although human beings may fall into error, the door of repentance remains open for those who return to Him sincerely.

Historical Insight

The Qur’an emphasizes that Adam and his wife were both addressed by Allah and were both tested.

It also makes clear that Iblis was the one who deceived them.

The Qur’anic account does not place the blame upon the woman alone, nor does it teach that humanity inherits Adam’s sin.

Instead, every person is responsible for his or her own deeds.

Adam repented.

Allah forgave him.

This establishes one of the central principles of Islam: sincere repentance is accepted by Allah.

Reflection

The first human sin was followed by the first human repentance.

This is one of the greatest lessons in the story of Adam.

Human perfection is not found in never making mistakes.

Rather, it is found in turning back to Allah after falling into error.

The difference between Adam and Iblis was not that one sinned and the other did not.

Both disobeyed.

The difference was their response.

Adam repented with humility.

Iblis persisted in pride.

One was forgiven.

The other chose rebellion.

Looking Ahead

Allah accepted Adam’s repentance.

Then came the next stage in human history.

Adam, his wife, and Iblis were commanded to leave Paradise.

The earth would become the home of mankind and the place where every generation would be tested until the Last Day