The creation of Adam

Praise be to Allah. Allah created Adam with His hand and breathed into him his soul created by Him, and told His angels to prostrate to him. Allah created Adam from dust, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, the likeness of ‘Eesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: ‘Be!’ - and he was” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:59]
When Allah had completed the creation of Adam, He commanded the angels to prostrate to him, so they prostrated, except for Iblees, who was present but he refused and was too arrogant to prostrate to Adam: “(Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Truly, I am going to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.’ So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them, Except Iblees (Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers” [Saad 38:71-74]
Then Allah told the angels that He was going to place Adam on earth and make generations after generations of his offspring, as He said: “And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth’” [al-Baqarah 2:30]
Allah taught Adam all the names: “And He taught Adam all the names (of everything)” [al-Baqarah 2:31 ] When Iblees refused to prostrate to Adam, Allah expelled him and cursed him: “(Allah) said: ‘Then get out from here; for verily, you are outcast. And verily, My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense’” [Saad 38:77-78]
When Iblees knew of his fate, he asked Allah to give him respite until the Day of Resurrection: “[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.’ (Allah) said: ‘Verily, you are of those allowed respite Till the Day of the time appointed’” [Saad 38:79-81 ] When Allah granted him that, he declared war on Adam and his descendents, made disobedience attractive to them and tempted them to commit immoral actions: “[Iblees (Satan)] said: ‘By Your Might, then I will surely, mislead them all, Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).’” [Saad 38:82-83]
Allah created Adam, and from him He created his wife, and from their progeny He created men and women, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women” [al-Nisaa’ 4:1] Then Allah caused Adam and his wife to dwell in Paradise, as a test for them. He commanded them to eat of the fruits of Paradise but He forbade them to eat from one tree: “And We said: ‘O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight, of things therein as wherever you will, but come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zaalimoon (wrong-doers)’” [al-Baqarah 2:35 ]
Allah warned Adam and his wife against the Shaytaan, as He said (interpretation of the meaning): “O Adam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed” [Ta-Ha 20:117] Then the Shaytaan whispered to Adam and his wife, and tempted them to eat from the forbidden tree. Adam forgot and could not resist the temptation, so he disobeyed his Lord and ate from that tree: “Then Shaytaan (Satan) whispered to him, saying : ‘O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?’ Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray” [Ta-Ha 20:120-121]
Their Lord called to them and said (interpretation of the meaning): “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Shaytaan (Satan) is an open enemy unto you?” [al-A’raaf 7:22] When they ate from the tree, they regretted what they had done, and said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers” [al-A’raaf 7:23]
The sin of Adam stemmed from desire, not from arrogance, hence Allah guided him to repent and He accepted that from him: “Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful” [al-Baqarah 2:37 ] This is the way for Adam and his descendents: whoever sins then repents sincerely, Allah will accept his repentance: “And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do” [al-Shoora 42:25]
Then Allah sent Adam and his wife, and Iblees, down to the earth, and He sent down Revelation to them and He sent the Messengers to them. So whoever believes will enter Paradise and whoever disbelieves will enter Hell: “We said: ‘Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve. But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) - such are the dwellers of the Fire. They shall abide therein forever’” [al-Baqarah 2:38-39 ]
When Allah sent them all down to the earth, the conflict between faith and kufr, between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, began, and it will continue until Allah inherits the earth and everyone on it: “(Allah) said: ‘Get down, one of you an enemy to the other [i.e. Adam, Hawwa, (Eve), and Shaytaan (Satan)]. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time’ [al-A’raaf 7:24]
Allah is Able to do all things. He created Adam with no father or mother, and He created Hawwa from a father with no mother, and He created ‘Eesa from a mother with no father, and He created us from a father and a mother. Allah created Adam from dust, then He made his descendants from semen of despised water, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “Who made everything He has created good and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from semen of despised water (male and female sexual discharge). Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul (created by Allah for that person); and He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give!” [al-Sajdah 32:7-9]
How man is created in the womb, and the stages which he goes through, is a wondrous thing. Allah mentioned this in the aayah (which means): “And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth). Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman). Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators” [al-Mu’minoon 23:12-14]
Allah Alone creates whatever He wills. He knows what is in the wombs, and He decrees provision and lifespans (for His creatures): “To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He creates what He wills. He bestows female (offspring) upon whom He wills, and bestows male (offspring) upon whom He wills. Or He bestows both males and females, and He renders barren whom He wills. Verily, He is the All-Knower and is Able to do all things” [al-Shoora 42:49-50 ]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Allah has appointed an angel over the womb. He says, ‘O Lord, a drop of semen (nutfah); O Lord, a clot (‘alaqah); O Lord, a little lump of flesh (mudghah).’ Then if Allah wishes (to complete) its creation, the angel asks, (O Lord) male or female, wretched (doomed to Hell) or blessed (destined for Paradise)? How much will his provision be? And what will his lifespan be?’ So that is written whilst (the child) is still in the mother’s womb.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 318)
Allah honoured the children of Adam and subjugated for their benefit that which is in the heavens and on earth: “See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks) and hidden [i.e. one’s faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism), knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]? [Luqmaan 31:20 ]
Allah has distinguished and honoured man with reason by which he knows his Lord, Creator and Provider, and by which he knows what is good and evil, what will benefit him and what will harm him, what is halaal and what is haraam. Allah did not create man and leave him alone with no path to follow. Rather, Allah revealed the Books and sent Messengers to guide mankind to the Straight Path. Allah created people with a natural inclination towards monotheism (Tawheed - belief in the Oneness of Allah). Every time they deviated from that, Allah sent a Prophet to bring them back to the Straight Path. The first of the Prophets was Adam and the last was Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: “Mankind were one community and Allah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent down the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed” [al-Baqarah 2:213]
All the Messengers called people to the same truth, which is the worship of Allah alone and to reject all gods besides Him: “And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taaghoot (all false deities, i.e. do not worship Taaghoot besides Allah).” [al-Nahl 16:36 ] The religion with which Allah sent the Prophets and Messengers was the same, i.e., Islam: “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:19 ] The last of the heavenly Books which Allah revealed was the Qur’aan, confirming the Books which came before it, and as a guidance to all of mankind: “(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light” [Ibraaheem 14:1 ]
The last of the Prophets and Messengers whom Allah sent was Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets” [al-Ahzaab 33:40 ] Allah sent Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to all of mankind: “Say (O Muhammad): ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah’” [al-A’raaf 7:158 ]
The Qur’an is the last and greatest of the heavenly Books and Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, is the last and best of the Prophets and Messengers. Allah has abrogated all of the heavenly Books with the Qur’an, so whoever does not follow the Qur’an and enter Islam and believe in the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and follow him, his deeds will not be accepted: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:85 ]
The religion which was brought by Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, confirms the message brought by the Prophets before him, in its basic principles and advocation of noble characteristics, as Allah says: “He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nooh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses) and ‘Eesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically) and make no divisions] in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion).” [al-Shoora 42:13]
(Taken from Usool al-Deen al-Islami, by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri)





The ideal Muslim in the community

The Muslim community is based on sincerity, purity of human feelings and fulfilment of rights and needs to every member.
The Muslim has a mission in life. Within the community he calls the people to Islam with good preaching and the best character. He teaches from what he learns and deals with those whom he comes in contact with based on Islamic values and morals. All this is done seeking the pleasure of Allah, the Exalted, while striving to attain the reward of His Paradise.
Wherever the Muslim is, he should be a beacon of guidance and a positive source of correction and education, through both his words and deeds.
The true Muslim has a refined social personality of the highest degree, which qualifies him to undertake his duty of calling others to Islam. He demonstrates the true values of his religion and the practical application of those values by attaining beautiful Islamic attributes. His distinct social character represents a huge store of Islamic values, which can be seen by the way in which he interacts with the people around him.
The Muslim, as Islam meant him to be, is a unique and remarkable person in his attitude, conduct and relationships with others at all levels. He treats them well by being friendly with them, humble, gentle of speech and avoiding offence. He likes others and is liked by them. He tries to follow the example of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, as he was the best of people in his attitude towards others. He  said: “Nothing will weigh more heavily in the Balance of the believing slave on the Day of Resurrection than a good attitude towards others.” [At-Tirmithi]
Because Islam is based on truthfulness, the Muslim is always truthful with all people. Truthfulness leads to goodness and goodness leads to Paradise. Therefore the Muslim strives to be true in all his words and deeds.
The Muslim never gives false statements, because this attitude is forbidden in the Qur’an. Allah, the Most Glorified, Says (what means): “…And shun the word that is false.” [Qur’an 22: 30]
The Muslim seeks to offer sincere advice to everyone he comes in contact with. It’s not just the matter of volunteering to do good out of generosity; it is a duty enjoined by Islam. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “(The essence of) Religion is (offering sincere) advice.” [Muslim]
By the favour of Allah, the Muslim is a guide for others to righteous deeds, whether by his actions or words. He never cheats, deceives or stabs in the back. These shameful acts are beneath him, as they contradict the values of truthfulness. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:  “…whoever cheats is not one of us.” [Muslim]
When the Muslim promises something, he means to keep his promise. This attitude stems naturally from truthfulness, and indicates the high level of civility attained by the one who exhibits it. Allah Says (what means): “And fulfil every engagement, for [every] engagement will be enquired into [on the Day of Reckoning].” [Qur’an 17: 34]
One of the worst characteristics that Islam abhors is hypocrisy, therefore the Muslim can never be a hypocrite; he is frank and open in his words and opinions. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “One of the worst people is a double-faced man, who comes to one group with one face and to another group with a totally different face.” [Al-Bukhari]
Islam does not approve of begging. It makes it a sin that a person should beg when he has enough to satisfy his immediate needs. Therefore, the Muslim does not beg. If he is faced with difficulty and poverty, he seeks refuge in patience, whilst doubling his effort to find a way out. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Whoever refrains from asking from people, Allah will help him…” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
A sign of one’s excellence in Islam, is his ignoring what does not concern him. The Muslim should only participate in what concerns him, such as anything that is his property, right, obligation or under his control. To be concerned with something entails preserving and taking care of this thing that one is allowed to be concerned with. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “A sign of a person’s being a good Muslim is that he should leave alone that which does not concern him.” [At-Tirmithi]
The Muslim never searches for people’s faults or slander their honour. He doesn’t slip into the error of pride, boasting and showing off. He judges fairly, is never unjust (even to those whom he does not like) or biased by his own whims, and avoids suspicion. He does not rejoice in the misfortunes of anyone. He carefully avoids uttering any word of slander, cursing, malicious gossip and foul language.
He does not make fun of people but is gentle, kind, compassionate and merciful, strives for people’s benefit and seeks to protect and help them.
One of the virtues of such a great value and importance that Islam, not only recommends, but also orders Muslims to characterise themselves with, is generosity. Therefore, the Muslim is generous and gives freely without waste to those who are in need. When he gives, he does not remind people of his generosity. He is patient, tries hard to control his anger and is forgiving. He does not bear grudges or resentments, and is easy on people, not hard.
One of the worst diseases of the heart is envy, which leads to foul conduct and bad behaviour. Therefore the Muslim is not envious, because he knows that the pleasures of this life are as nothing in comparison to the reward that Allah has prepared for the believers, and that whatever happens in life happens according to the decree of Allah.
The Muslim, who truly understands the teachings of his religion, is gentle, friendly, cheerful and warm. He mixes with people and gets along with them. He is humble and modest; and does not look down at other people. He is lighthearted and has a sense of humour and does not disdain others. His jokes are distinguished by their legitimate Islamic nature. He is keen to bring happiness to people. It is an effective means of conveying the message of truth to them, and exposing them to its moral values, because people only listen to those whom they like, trust and accept.
The Muslim keeps secrets; keeping secrets is a sign of maturity, moral strength, wisdom and balanced personality. He is concerned about the affairs of people in general. He is happy to welcome his guests and hastens to honour them.
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Every religion has a (distinct) characteristic and the characteristic of Islam is modesty.” [Ibn Maajah] The Muslim adheres to the principle of modesty in all things. He does not accept every custom that is widely accepted by others, for there may be customs which go against Islam.
The Muslim does not enter a house other than his own without seeking permission and greeting people. He sits wherever he finds room when he joins a gathering. He avoids whispering and conversing privately when he is in a group of three. He gives due respect to elders and those who deserve to be respected (like scholars, etc.).
Allah Almighty Says (what means): “Invite mankind to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious.” [Qur’an 16:125] The Muslim is aware of his duty to call others to Islam, and does not spare any effort to do so. He enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil and mixes with righteous people. He visits the sick cheerfully. He attends the funeral of the Muslim and accompanies the body until it is buried.

Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/