Allaah commanded Aadam to dwell in Paradise Saying (what means): "…'O
Aadam! Dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in
[ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this
tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.'" [Quran: 2:35]
The location of this Paradise is unknown to us. The Quran did not
mention it, and the Quranic commentators have five different opinions
on this. Some said that it was the Paradise of our refuge, and that
its place was heaven. Others rejected that statement because ifit was
the Paradise of refuge, Iblees (Satan) would have been forbidden
admission, anddisobedience in it would have been forbidden as well.
Still others said that it was another paradise that was created by
Allaah for Aadam and Hawwaa` (Eve), may Allaah exalt their mention. A
fourth group said it was a paradise on the earth located in a high
place. Another group of commentators have stated that one should not
speculate about this.
We agree with this last opinion, as the lesson welearn from its
location is immaterial compared to the lesson we learn from the events
that took place there.
Aadam and Hawwaa`, may Allaah exalt their mention, were admitted to
Paradise and there they lived the dream of all human beings. Allaah
permitted them to approach and enjoy everything except one tree; He
Says (what means): "…'Do not approach this tree, lest you be among the
wrongdoers.'" [Quran 2:35]
Aadam and Hawwaa', may Allaah exalt their mention, understood that
they were forbiddento eat the fruit of that tree. Aadam was, however,
a human being,and man tends to forget. His heart changes and hiswill
weakens. Satan summoned all the envy within him and took advantage of
Aadam's humanity to exploit him. He started to whisper to him day
after day, coaxing him, as this versestates (which means): "…'Shall I
direct you to the tree ofeternity and possession that will not
deteriorate?'" [Quran 20:120] He said to them (what means): "'Your
Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or
become of the immortal.' And he swore [by Allaah] to them: 'Indeed, I
am to you from among the sincere advisors.'" [Quran: 7:20-21]
Aadam asked himself:"What will happen if I eatfrom this tree? It might
truly be the tree of eternity." His dream was to live for ever in the
pure innocence of Paradise .
Years went by, and Aadam and Hawwaa', may Allaah exalt their mention,
were preoccupied with thoughts of that tree. Then, one day, they
decided to eat of its fruit.They forgot that Allaah had warned them
not to approach it and that Satan was their sworn enemy. Aadam
stretched out his hand, picked one of the fruits, and offered it to
Hawwaa', may Allaah exalt her mention. They both ate of the
forbiddentree.
Allaah Almighty tells us (what means): "So he [Satan] made them fall…"
[Quran: 7:22] Allaah also says what means:"…And Aadam disobeyed his
Lord and erred." [Quran: 20:121]
At that moment, their eyes were opened to the fact that they were
naked, and so they took the leaves of a fig tree to cover themselves.
Wahb bin Munabbih who was a Muslim scholar from the second generation,
said that their clothing was made of light on the private parts of
both of them.
Allaah the Almighty Says (what means): "O Children of Aadam! Let not
Satan tempt you as he removed your parents [Aadam and Hawwaa'] from
Paradise stripping them of their clothing to show them their private
parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from whereyou do not see
them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not
believe." [Quran: 7:27]
Aadam had hardly finished eating when he felt his heart contract, and
he was filled with pain, sadness and shame.The surrounding atmosphere
and his mood had changed. He discovered that he and his wife were
naked, so they both started cutting tree leaves with which tocover
themselves. Allaah the Almighty then addressed them (with what means):
"…'Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is to
you a clear enemy?' They said: 'Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves,
and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be
among the losers.' [Allaah] said: 'Descend, being to one another
[Aadam, Hawwaa', and Satan] enemies. And for you on the earth is a
place of settlement andenjoyment [i.e., provision] for a time.' He
said: 'Therein you will live, and therein you will die, and from it
you will be brought forth.'" [Quran: 7:22-25]
Imaam Ibn 'Asaakir who was a prominent Muslim scholar, narrated that
Allaah commanded two angels to remove Aadam from His holy proximity.
So Jibreel (Gabriel) stripped himof the crown on his head,and
Meekaa'eel (Michael)took the diadem from hisforehead. Aadam thought
that his punishment had been hastened and bowed down
crying:"Forgiveness! Forgiveness!" Allaah Said:"Are you running away
from Me?" Aadam replied: "No, my Lord, butI am shy of You."
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