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Angels' Prostration to Adam

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Angels' Prostration to Adam

سجود الملائكة لآدم

The event of the Angels' Prostration to Adam marks a profound moment in Islamic theology, underscoring humanity's unique honor and spiritual potential. After Allah perfected Adam's form and [breathed into him of My [created] soul], He commanded all the angels to prostrate before him. This was not an act of worship directed at Adam, but a demonstration of deference and honor, acknowledging Adam's elevated status as Allah's vicegerent on Earth and the miracle of his creation. The angels, in their perfect obedience, [prostrated - all of them entirely], humbly submitting to Allah's divine decree. However, one entity, Iblees, refused. Out of arrogance and a false sense of superiority, believing his creation from fire made him superior to Adam's creation from clay, [he refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers]. This act of rebellion set him on a path of enmity against humanity, as mentioned in [7:11]. This pivotal event teaches Muslims about humility, the dangers of pride, and the special dignity Allah has bestowed upon humankind, reminding us of our profound responsibility.

Quran 9 verses

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

Wa iz qulnaa lilmalaaa'i katis judoo liAadama fasajadooo illaaa Ibleesa abaa wastakbara wa kaana minal kaafireen

And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.

اور جب ہم نے فرشتوں کو حکم دیا کہ آدم کے آگے سجدہ کرو تو وہ سجدے میں گر پڑے مگر شیطان نے انکار کیا اور غرور میں آکر کافر بن گیا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: The episode recounted in the foregoing verses has shown how the angels came to learn that Adam was superior to them in so far as he possessed the forms of knowledge necessary for the function of divine vice regency, while they themselves did not, nor did the jinns. Now, Allah willed to manifest this...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And mention when We said to the angels ‘Prostrate yourselves to Adam’ a prostration that is a bow of salutation; so they prostrated themselves except Iblīs the father of the jinn who was among the angels he refused to prostrate and disdained became proud and said I am better than he Q. 712; and so h...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Honoring Adam when the Angels prostrated before Him This Ayah mentions the great honor that Allah granted Adam, and Allah reminded Adam's offspring of this fact. Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam, as this Ayah and many Hadiths testify, such as the Hadith about the intercession that...

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَٰكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَٰكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ

Wa laqad khalaqnaakum summa sawwarnaakum summa qulnaa lilmalaaa'ikatis judoo li Aadama fa-sajadooo illaaa Ibleesa lam yakum minas saajideen

And We have certainly created you, [O Mankind], and given you [human] form. Then We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated.

اور ہم ہی نے تم کو (ابتدا میں مٹی سے) پیدا کیا پھر تمہاری صورت شکل بنائی پھر فرشتوں کو حکم دیا آدم کے آگے سجدہ کرو تو (سب نے) سجدہ کیا لیکن ابلیس کہ وہ سجدہ کرنے والوں میں (شامل) نہ ہوا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary In the first verse, it was said: وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ ` (And the Weighing on that day is definite). It means that the weighing of good and bad deeds on the day of Judgment is due and true. There is no room for doubt in it. Here, the hint given is that let no one be deceived by ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And We created you that is your father Adam then shaped you that is We shaped him with you deposited in his back then said to the angels ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam!’ a prostration that is a bow of salutation. So they fell prostrate all save Iblīs the father of the jinn who was among the angel...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Prostration of the Angels to Adam and Shaytan's Arrogance Allah informs the Children of Adam about the honor of their father and the enmity of Shaytan, who still has envy for them and for their father Adam. So they should beware of him and not follow in his footsteps. Allah said, وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَـك...

فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَٰجِدِينَ

Fa izaa sawwaituhoo wa nafakhtu feehi mir roohee faqa'oo lahoo saajideen

And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."

جب اس کو (صورت انسانیہ میں) درست کر لوں اور اس میں اپنی (بےبہا چیز یعنی) روح پھونک دوں تو اس کے آگے سجدے میں گر پڑنا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Blowing of Spirit into the Human Body and Making Angels Prostrate to him: A Brief Review Is the spirit (Ruh) a physical entity, or pure essence? On this subject, there has been a difference of opinion among the learned since a long time. According to Ash-Shaykh ` Abd Al-Rauf Al-Munawi, th...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: So when I have proportioned him completed him and breathed caused to flow of My Spirit in him so that he becomes a living thing — the annexation of ‘the Spirit’ to him is a conferring of honour upon Adam — fall down in prostration before him!’ a prostration meant as an act of salutation by bowing.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The creation of Adam, the Command to the Angels to prostrate to Him, and the Rebellion of Iblis Allah informs us of how He mentioned Adam to His angels before He created him, and how He honored him by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. He mentions how His enemy Iblis, amidst all the angels, ...

فَسَجَدَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ

Fasajadal malaaa'ikatu kulluhum ajma'oon

So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely,

تو فرشتے تو سب کے سب سجدے میں گر پڑے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary Blowing of Spirit into the Human Body and Making Angels Prostrate to him: A Brief Review Is the spirit (Ruh) a physical entity, or pure essence? On this subject, there has been a difference of opinion among the learned since a long time. According to Ash-Shaykh ` Abd Al-Rauf Al-Munawi, th...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And so the angels prostrated all of them together kulluhum ajma‘ūn contains two elements of emphasis
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The creation of Adam, the Command to the Angels to prostrate to Him, and the Rebellion of Iblis Allah informs us of how He mentioned Adam to His angels before He created him, and how He honored him by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. He mentions how His enemy Iblis, amidst all the angels, ...

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ قَالَ ءَأَسْجُدُ لِمَنْ خَلَقْتَ طِينًا

Wa iz qulnaa lilma laaa'ikatis judoo li Aadama fasajadooo illaaa Ibleesa qaala 'a-asjudu liman khalaqta teena

And [mention] when We said to the angles, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He said, "Should I prostrate to one You created from clay?"

اور جب ہم نے فرشتوں سے کہا کہ آدم کو سجدہ کرو تو سب نے سجدہ کیا مگر ابلیس نے نہ کیا۔ بولا کہ بھلا میں ایسے شخص کو سجدہ کرو جس کو تو نے مٹی سے پیدا کیا ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The word fitnah' (فِتنَہ) appearing in verse 60: وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّ‌ؤْيَا الَّتِي أَرَ‌يْنَاكَ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ (And We showed you the scene [ in the Night of Ascent - al-Mi` raj ] only to make it a test for the people) is used in the Arabic language to convey many different ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And mention when We said to the angels ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam’ a prostration of salutation by inclining oneself and so they all prostrated themselves except Iblīs he said ‘Shall I prostrate myself before one whom You have created from clay?’ tīnan is in the accusative because the operator...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Adam and Iblis Allah mentions here the enmity of Iblis, may the curse of Allah be upon him and his progeny. This is an ancient hatred, dating from the time that Allah created Adam, when He commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam, and all of them prostrated except Iblis, who was too ar...

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَفَسَقَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَفَتَتَّخِذُونَهُۥ وَذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِى وَهُمْ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۢ بِئْسَ لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ بَدَلًا

Wa iz qulnaa lilma laaa'ikatis judoo li Aadama fasajadooo illaaa Ibleesa kaana minal jinni fafasaqa 'an amri Rabbih; afatattakhizoonahoo wa zurriyatahooo awliyaaa'a min doonee wa hum lakum 'aduww; bi'sa lizzaalimeena badalaa

And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord. Then will you take him and his descendants as allies other than Me while they are enemies to you? Wretched it is for the wrongdoers as an exchange.

اور جب ہم نے فرشتوں کو حکم دیا کہ آدم کو سجدہ کرو تو سب نے سجدہ کیا مگر ابلیس (نے نہ کیا) وہ جنات میں سے تھا تو اپنے پروردگار کے حکم سے باہر ہوگیا۔ کیا تم اس کو اور اس کی اولاد کو میرے سوا دوست بناتے ہو۔ حالانکہ وہ تمہارے دشمن ہیں (اور شیطان کی دوستی) ظالموں کے لئے (خدا کی دوستی کا) برا بدل ہے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Commentary The progeny of Iblis, and his descendants and followers The word: ذُرِّ‌يَّتَهُ (dhurriyyatah) in verse 50 indicates that Iblis (Shaitan) has offspring, and a host of descendants and followers. Some commentators have said that 'progeny' at this place means 'accomplices.' That the Shaitan ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And when idh is dependent because it is governed by an implicit udhkur ‘mention when’ We said to the angels ‘Prostrate before Adam’ a prostration involving a bow not placing one’s forehead down to the ground as a greeting to him; and so they prostrated all except Iblīs. He was one of the jinn — some...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Adam and Iblis Allah points out to the Children of Adam the enmity of Iblis towards them and their father before them, and rebukes those who follow him and go against their Creator and Master. It is He who created them from nothing and sustains and nourishes them by His kindness, yet th...

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ

Wa iz qulnaa lilma laaa'ikatis judoo li Aadama fasajadooo illaaa Iblees; abaa

And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except Iblees; he refused.

اور جب ہم نے فرشتوں سے کہا کہ آدم کے آگے سجدہ کرو تو سب سجدے میں گر پڑے مگر ابلیس نے انکار کیا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ (And when We said to angels - 20:116)Here is a brief mention of the command which, after the creation of Sayyidna 'Adam (علیہ السلام) Allah gave to all the angels including Iblis (Shaitan) who at that time lived in the Paradise with them, to prostrate to him. All the a...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: And mention when We said to the angels ‘Prostrate before Adam’; so they prostrated except Iblīs who was the father of the jinn — he used to keep company with the angels and worship God alongside them he refused to prostrate before Adam he said ‘I am better than him’ Q. 712.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Adam and Iblis Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Abbas said, "Verily, man was named Insan only because he was given a covenant, but he forgot it (Nasiya)." `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported the same from Ibn `Abbas. Mujahid and Al-Hasan said that he forgot means, "He abandoned it." Concerning...

فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَٰجِدِينَ

Fa-iza sawwaituhoo wa nafakhtu feehi mir roohee faqa'oo lahoo saajideen

So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."

جب اس کو درست کرلوں اور اس میں اپنی روح پھونک دوں تو اس کے آگے سجدے میں گر پڑنا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In verse 71, it was said: إِذْ قَالَ رَ‌بُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ (When your Lord said to the angels...): Mentioned here is the event of the creation of 'Adam (علیہ السلام) . Not only that it alludes to the conversation between Allah Ta’ ala and the angels mentioned above, but also invites our attention...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: So when I have proportioned him completed him and breathed in him when I have caused to flow therein My spirit so that he becomes a living being — the addition of ‘the spirit’ to Adam is an honour for him; the ‘spirit’ is a subtle body that gives life to a human being by permeating him — then fall d...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Adam and Iblis Allah mentions this story in Surat Al-Baqarah, at the beginning of Surat Al-A`raf, in Surat Al-Hijr, Al-Isra', Al-Kahf and here. Before creating Adam, peace be upon him, Allah told the angels that He was going to create a human being from sounding clay of altered smooth b...

فَسَجَدَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ

Fasajadal malaaa'ikatu kulluhum ajma'oon

So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely.

تو تمام فرشتوں نے سجدہ کیا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: In verse 71, it was said: إِذْ قَالَ رَ‌بُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ (When your Lord said to the angels...): Mentioned here is the event of the creation of 'Adam (علیہ السلام) . Not only that it alludes to the conversation between Allah Ta’ ala and the angels mentioned above, but also invites our attention...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Thereat the angels prostrated all of them together there are two emphases here kulluhum and ajma‘ūn;
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Story of Adam and Iblis Allah mentions this story in Surat Al-Baqarah, at the beginning of Surat Al-A`raf, in Surat Al-Hijr, Al-Isra', Al-Kahf and here. Before creating Adam, peace be upon him, Allah told the angels that He was going to create a human being from sounding clay of altered smooth b...

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