Juz 8: Al-Anʿām 111 to Al-Aʿrāf 87
Section 10 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
The Creation of Adam and Satan's Rebellion
Surah Al-A'raf begins with a profound account of human creation and the origin of the cosmic struggle between good and evil. This narrative serves not merely as a historical record but as a foundation for understanding our spiritual journey and the nature of our enemy.
Allah (swt) reminds humanity of our origin and the special status He bestowed upon us:
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“We have created you, then shaped you, then said to the angels, "Prostrate yourselves before Adam." So, they prostrated themselves, all of them but Iblis (Satan). He was not among those who prostrated. (Al-A'raf 7:11)”
This verse establishes the exceptional status of humanity in Allah's creation. The command for angels to prostrate before Adam (peace be upon him) represented an acknowledgment of the honor Allah (swt) had bestowed on mankind. This prostration was not worship of Adam but rather obedience to Allah's command and recognition of Adam's distinguished position.
The dialogue between Allah (swt) and Satan reveals the root of arrogance and disobedience:
قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ
“He (Allah) said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I ordered you?" He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire, and created him from clay." (Al-A'raf 7:12)”
Satan's response exposes the essence of arrogance—considering oneself superior to others based on superficial differences. His rejection was not based on ignorance but on pride and envy. He knew Allah's command but chose to disobey, believing his origin from fire made him superior to Adam, who was created from clay.
As a consequence of his arrogance, Allah (swt) expelled Satan from Paradise:
قَالَ فَاهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِن
“He said, “Then, get you down from here, it is not for you to show arrogance here. So, get out. You are one of the degraded.” (7:13)