The Triple Filter test, Islamic Stories

During the golden Abbasid period, one of the scholars in Baghdad, the
capital of Muslim caliphate at that time, was reputed to hold
knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great
scholar and said,"Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," the scholar replied. "Before telling me anything
I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter
Test."
"Triple filter?"
"That's right," the scholar continued."Before you talk to me about my
friend it mightbe a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're
going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first
filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about
to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said,"actually I just heard about it and..."
"All right," said the scholar. "So you don't really know if it's true
ornot. Now let's try the second filter, the filter ofGoodness. Is what
you are about to tell me about my friend something good?" "No, on the
contrary......"
"So," the scholar continued, "you want to tell me something bad about
him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test
though, because there's one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is
what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded the scholar, "if what you want to tell me is
neithertrue nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"
"O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may
be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women
laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the
(former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each
other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming isa name connoting
wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those whodo
not desist are (indeed) doing wrong." [Surah al-Hujurat 49.012]

The story of Prophet Aadam -III

On earth, Aadam had to face conflict and struggle. No sooner had one
ended than another began. He also had to toil to sustain himself. He
had to protecthimself with clothes and weapons and protect his wife
and children from wild beasts. Above all, he had to struggle withthe
spirit of evil. Iblees (Satan), the cause of his expulsion from
Paradise continued to beguile him and his children in order to have
them thrown into the eternal Hellfire. The battle between good and
evil is continuous, but those who follow Allaah's guidance should fear
nothing while those who disobey Allaah and follow Iblees will be
damned along with him.
Aadam grasped all of this and with the knowledge of this challenge
began his life on the earth. The only relief for his grief was that as
master of the earth he had to make it yield to him. He was the one who
had to perpetuate, cultivate, construct and populate the earth. He had
to procreate and raise the children necessary to change and improve
the world.
The pinnacle of earthly bliss was reached when Aadam and Hawaa', may
Allaah exalt their mention, witnessed the birth of their first set of
twins. Aadam was a devoted father and Hawaa', may Allaah exalt her
mention, a contentedmother. The twins were Qaabeel (Cain) and his
sister. Later, Hawaa', may Allaah exalt her mention, gave birth to a
second setof twins, Haabeel (Abel) and his sister. The family enjoyed
the bounties andfruits of the earth provided by their Lord. The
children grew up to be strong and healthy young adults. Qaabeel tilled
the land while Haabeel raised cattle.
The time arrived when the two young men desired life partners. Thiswas
part of Allaah's plan for mankind, to multiply and form nations with
different cultures and colours. Allaah revealed to Aadam that he
should marry each son to the twin sister of the other. Aadam
instructed his children according to Allaah's command, but Qaabeel was
displeased with the partner chosen for him, for Haabeel's twin sister
was not as beautiful as his own.
It appears that since the beginning of time, physical beauty has been
a factor in the attraction between man and woman. This attraction
caused Qaabeel to envy his brother Haabeel. He rebelled against
Allaah's command by refusing to accept his father's advice.
Aadam was in a dilemma. He wanted peace and harmony in his family, so
he invoked Allaah for help. Allaah commanded that each son offer a
sacrifice, and he whose offering was accepted would have right on his
side. Haabeeloffered his best camel while Qaabeel offered hisworst
grain. His sacrifice was not accepted by Allaah because of his
disobedience to his father and the insincerityin his offering.
This enraged Qaabeel even further. Realising that his hopes of
marrying his own beautiful sister were fading, he threatened
hisbrother. "I will kill you! I refuse to see you happy while I remain
unhappy!"he said.
Haabeel, feeling sorry forhis brother, replied: "It would be more
proper for you, my brother, to search for the cause of your
unhappiness and then walk in the way of peace. Allaah accepts deeds
only from those who serve and fear Him, not from those who reject His
commands."
Haabeel was intelligent, obedient, and always ready to obey the will
of Allaah. This contrasted sharply with his brother who was arrogant,
selfish and disobedient to his Lord. Haabeel did not fear his
brother's threats, but he did not want his brother to be hurt. Allaah
had blessed Haabeel with purity and compassion.
Hoping to dispel the hatred seething in his brother, Haabeel said:"My
brother, you are deviating from the right path and are sinful in your
decisions. It is betterthat you repent to Allaah and forget about your
foolish threat. But if you do not, then I will leave the matter in the
hands of Allaah. You alone will bear the consequence of your sin, for
the Fire is the reward of the wrong-doers."
This brotherly plea did nothing to lessen the hatred in Qaabeel's
heart,nor did he show fear of Allaah's punishment. Evenfamilial
considerations were cast aside. Qaabeel struck his brother with a
stone killing him instantly. This was the first death and the first
criminal act committed by man on earth.
When Haabeel had not appeared for some time, Aadam began to search for
him but found no trace of his beloved son. He asked Qaabeel about
Haabeel's whereabouts. Qaabeel insolently replied that he was neither
his brother's keeper nor his protector. From these words his father
understood that Haabeel was dead and Aadam was filled withgrief.
Meanwhile, Qaabeel did not know what to do with his brother's
corpse.He carried it on his back wandering from place to place trying
to hide it. Hisanger had now subsided and his conscience was saddled
with guilt. He was tiring under the burden of the corpse which had
started to have a stench. As a mercy,and to show that dignity could be
retained even indeath, Allaah sent two ravens that began fighting,
causing the death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws
to dig a hole in the ground, rolledits victim into it and covered it
with sand.
Witnessing this, Qaabeel was overcome with shame and remorse."Woe unto
me!" he exclaimed. "I was unable to do what this raven hasdone, that
is to hide my brother's corpse." Qaabeel then buried his brother. This
was also thefirst burial of man.
Allaah, the Almighty, revealed (what means): "And recite to them the
story of Aadam's two sons, in truth, when they both offered a
sacrifice [to Allaah], and it was accepted from one of them but was
not accepted from the other.Said [the latter]: 'I will surely kill
you.' Said [the former]: 'Indeed, Allaah only accepts from the
righteous [who fear Him]. If you should raise your hand against me to
kill me - I shall not raise my hand against you to kill you. Indeed, I
fear Allaah, Lord of the worlds. Indeed, I want you to obtain
[thereby] my sin and your sin so you will be among the companions of
the Fire. And that is the recompense of wrongdoers.' And his soul
permitted to him the murder of his brother, so he killed him and
became among the losers. Then Allaah sent a crow searching [i.e.
scratching] in the ground to show him how to hide the disgrace of his
brother. He said: 'O woe to me! Have I failed to be like this crow and
hide the disgrace [i.e. body] of my brother?' And he became of the
regretful." [Quran 5:27-31]
Aadam was utterly grief-stricken by the loss of his two sons. One was
dead; the other was won over by the devil. Aadam prayed for his son
and turned to mundane matters, for he had to toilfor his sustenance.
At the same time he was a Prophet advising his children and
grandchildren, telling them about Allaah and calling them to believe
inHim. He told them about Iblees and warned them by recounting his own
experience with the deviland how the devil had tempted Qaabeel to kill
his brother.
Years and years passed, Aadam grew old and his children spread all
over the earth. Imaam Muhammad Ibn Is-Haaq related that when Aadam's
death drew near, he appointed his son Sheeth (Seth) to be his
successor and taught him the hours of the day and night along with
their appropriate acts of worship.
Ubayy Ibn Ka'b said:"When Aadam's death was near, he said to his
children: 'O my children! Indeed I feel an appetite for the fruits of
Paradise .'So they went away searching for what Aadam had requested.
They met withthe angels, who had withthem his shroud and what he was
to be embalmed with. They said to them: 'O Children of Aadam! What are
you searching for? What do you want? Where are yougoing?' They
replied: 'Ourfather is sick and has an appetite for the fruits of
Paradise .' The angels said to them: 'Go back, for your father is
going to meet his end soon.' So they returned with the angels and when
Hawaa',may Allaah exalt her mention, saw them, she recognised them.
She tried to hide herself behind Aadam . He said to her. 'Leave me
alone. I came before you;do not go between me and the angels of my
Lord.' So they took his soul, embalmed and wrapped him, dug the grave
and laid him in it. They prayed for him and put him in his grave,
saying: 'O Children of Aadam! This is your tradition at the time of
death.'"
Before his death, Aadam reassured his childrenthat Allaah would not
leave man alone on the earth, but would send Hisprophets to guide
them. The prophets would havedifferent names, traits and miracles, but
they would be united in one thing - the call to worship Allaah Alone.

The story of Prophet Aadam – II

Adam Dwells in Paradise
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."

The story of Prophet Aadam - I

Allaah Almighty revealed in the Quran (what means): "And [mention, O
Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels: 'Indeed, I will make
upon the earth a successiveauthority.' They said: 'Will You place upon
it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare
Your praise and sanctify You?' He [Allaah] said: 'Indeed, I know that
which you do not know.' And He taught Aadam the names - all of them.
Then He showed them to the angels and said: 'Inform Me of the names of
these,if you are truthful.' They said: 'Exalted are You; we have no
knowledge except what You havetaught us. Indeed, it is You who is the
Knowing, the Wise.' He said: 'O Aadam! Inform them of their names.'
And when he had informed them of their names, He said: 'Did I not tell
you that I know the unseen [aspects] of theheavens and the earth? And
I know what you reveal and what you have concealed.' And [mention]
when We said to the angels: 'Prostrate before Aadam'; so they
prostrated, except for Iblees [Satan]. He refused and was arrogant and
became of the disbelievers. And We said: '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.' But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed
them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said: 'Go
down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon
the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.' Then Aadam
received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance.
Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. We
said:'Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from
Me, whoever follows My guidance - there will be no fear concerning
them, nor will they grieve. And those who disbelieve and deny Our
signs - those will becompanions of Fire; they will abide therein
eternally.'" [Quran 2:30-39]
Almighty Allaah also revealed (what means): "And We have certainly
created you, [O mankind], and given you [human] form. Then We said to
the angels: 'Prostrate to Aadam'; so they prostrated, except for
Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated. [Allaah] said: 'What
prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?' [Satan]said: 'I
am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay
[i.e. earth].' [Allaah]said: 'Descend from it [i.e. Paradise ], for it
is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of
the debased.' [Satan] said: 'Reprieve me until the Day they are
resurrected.' [Allaah] said: 'Indeed, you are of those reprieved.'
[Satan] said: 'Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in
wait for them [i.e. mankind] on Your straight path. Then I will come
tothem from before them and frombehind them and on their right and on
their left, and You will notfind most of them grateful [to You].'
[Allaah] said: 'Get out of it [i.e. Paradise ], reproached and
expelled, Whoever follows you among them - I will surely fill Hellwith
you, all together.' And: 'O Aadam! Dwell, you and your wife, in
Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree,
lest you be among the wrongdoers.' But Satan whispered to them to make
apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private
parts. He said: '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.' So he
made them fall, through deception. And when they tasted of the tree,
their private parts became apparent tothem, and they began to fasten
together over themselves from the leaves of Paradise . And their Lord
called to them: '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 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 7:11-25]
When Allaah the Almightycreated Aadam He addressed His angels and told
them to prostrate before him. The purpose behind that was not to ask
their opinion or take their advice, for He is above that. Allaah the
Exalted told them that He was going to create a vicegerent on the
earth who would have offspring. That is why theangels said to Allaah
the Almighty (what means): "…Will You place upon it one whocauses
corruption therein and sheds blood…" [Quran: 2:30]
According to the prominent Muslim scholar Qataadah it was said that
the angels were informed about thecreation of Aadam and his progeny by
the jinn who lived before Aadam . Abdullaah bin'Umar said that the
jinn had existed for manyyears before Aadam and had shed one another's
blood. Therefore, Allaah sent on them an army of angels that drove
them out to the depths of the seas. Ibn Abu Haatim narrated that the
angels were informed by Allaah that man would cause wickedness and
shed blood on earth.
Whether or not these traditions are correct, theangels did understand
that Allaah would create a vicegerent on earth. Allaah the Almighty
announced that He was going to create a human being out of clay, that
He would mould him and blow His spirit into him and that the angels
should then prostrate before him.
Prophet Muhammad said: "Allaah created Aadam from a handful of dust
taken from differentlands, so the children of Aadam have been created
according to the composition of the land. Therefore from mankind we
have white, red, blackand yellow; we have good and evil, ease and
sorrow, and what comes in between them." [Al-Bukhaari]
So Allaah shaped Aadam into a human being; but he remained a figure of
clay for forty years. The angels went past him. They were seized with
fear by what they saw, and Iblees felt the most fear. He would pass by
the figure of Aadam buffeting it, which would make a sound like
pottery. Allaah Says (what means): "He created man [Aadam] from clay
like [that of] pottery." [Quran: 55:14]
When the time drew nearto breathe the spirit into Aadam as Allaah
decreed, He commanded the angels (what means):" When I breathe My
spirit into him, prostrate before him." [Quran 15:29] Allaah breathed
His spirit into Aadam and when it reached his head, Aadam sneezed. The
angels said to him: "Say: 'All praise belongs to Allaah.'" Aadam
repeated: "All praise belongs to Allaah." Allaahsaid to him: "Your
Lord has granted you mercy." When the spirit reached his eyes, Aadam
looked at the fruits of Paradise . When it reached his abdomen, he
craved for food. He jumped hurriedly before the spirit could reach his
legs, so that he could eat from the fruits of Paradise .
Aadam opened his eyes and saw all the angels prostrating beforehim
except one being, who was standing at a distance. Aadam did not know
what kind of creature it was that did not prostrate before him,nor did
he know its name. Iblees was standing with the angels so as to be
included in the command given to them, but he was not oneof them - he
was a jinn. What is clear is that this prostration was to show respect
and did not meanthat the angels were worshipping Aadam . Prostrating
in worship is done only for Allaah.
Iblees believed that he was more honourable than Aadam . Therefore, he
abstained from prostrating, even though Allaah had commanded him to do
so, just as He had commanded the angels.
Iblees tried in vain to justify his refusal; he said (what means):
"…'Should I prostrate to one You created from clay? Do you see this
one who You have honoured above me? If you delay me [i.e., my death]
until the Day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy[i.e., lead
astray] his descendants,except for a few.'" [Quran: 17:61-62]
Aadam was following what was happening around him and had feelings of
love, awe, andastonishment - deep love of Allaah, who had created and
glorified himand who had made His angels prostrate before him; awe of
the Creator's wrath when He excluded Iblees from His mercy. Aadam was
surprised by this creature, Iblees, who abhorred him without even
knowing him and who imagined himself better than him without having
proved that he was worthier. What a strange creature Iblees was, and
how strange was his excuse for not prostrating!