SURAH 2 – AL-BAQARAH VERSES 35-39

THE COW

Quran Study Sessions – Session 24

April 12, 2020

Introduction

❑ Verses 35-39

❑ Story of how Adam (AS) descended from Paradise to Earth.

❑And in this story, is relevant lesson for all mankind on how to deal with mistakes.

❑And we said, “O Adam, dwell you and your wife in the garden (Paradise)”

❑“And eat from it freely wherever you two wish.”

❑“And do not approach this tree, because then you two would become from the Zalimeen (wrongdoers)”

Verse 35 Basic Meanings

❑Adam (AS) and his wife, Hawwa (AS), were told to live in the garden. This garden was not on Earth, but in the sky near Allah.

❑They were given a test that they were allowed to eat everything in Paradise except one tree which was forbidden to eat. This is a test to Allah’s obedience.

❑And if they ate from the tree, they would become Zalimoon. Zalim is someone who does Zulm.

❑The essence of Zulm is to place something where it doesn’t belong or to not fulfill someone’s rights.

❑This is why disobedience to Allah is Zulm because you are placing your obedience in the incorrect place and not fulfilling Allah’s rights.

❑Shirk is called the greatest Zulm because you are placing something or someone that doesn’t belong in the place of worship.

Verse 35

❑Then, Shaitan caused them to slip with (regards to) it (the tree), so he caused them to exit what they were in (their clothes, their status as being in Paradise).

❑And we said, “Go down. Some of you are enemies to some.”

❑“And for you is on earth settlement and provision until a specified time.”

Verse 36 Basic Meanings

❑Shaitan (Iblis) caused our parents, Adam and Hawwa, to slip with regards to what Allah commanded, and they ate from the tree.

❑Because of this, their clothes fell off as a consequence of their disobedience.

❑And Allah commanded them to go to earth as enemies to each other.

❑Meaning Shaitan is an enemy to Adam (AS) and all mankind.

❑Allah says that on earth, there is a place to live and provision until a specified time (which is death and the Day of Judgement).

❑This means Allah made the earth as a place to support humans with shelter and food. Although it is not meant to be the place we live forever, it is also not meant to be a punishment.

❑However, we must always remember that the time on earth is limited.

Verse 36

❑Then, Adam received some words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance.

❑Indeed he is the Accepting of Repentance and the Merciful.

Verse 37 Basic Meanings

❑After Adam (AS) made his mistake and was sent down to earth, Allah taught him how to repent and seek forgiveness.

❑The “words” received by Adam (AS) is the prayer mentioned in another place in the Quran:

❑ نا لنك م تغفر لنا وترح ن لنا وإ نا ظلمنا أنفس ن قال رب ا إل 7:23-ون

They both 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.“

❑And through this, Allah forgave our parents, Adam and Hawwa (AS), for the mistake they made. He did not leave them unforgiven.

❑Similarly, everyone makes mistakes and Allah has taught us how to repent to Him and how to be forgiven for our mistakes.

Verse 37

❑We said, “Go down from it all of you.”

❑So, whenever there comes to you from me guidance:

❑Then, whoever follows my guidance, there will be no fear for them and there will be no grief.

Verse 38 Basic Meanings

❑Allah repeats his command to go down to earth, and now mentions to us what to do there.

❑He promises to send us guidance, through prophets and Holy Books, and he promises Paradise for the people who follow that guidance sent by Allah.

❑This leads us to the purpose of the story of Adam (AS) being mentioned. The beginning of this surah is talking about this book and how it is full of guidance.

❑This story reminds us of our parents and why they were sent down to earth. It tells us why we need to follow this guidance and that it is not something that came out of nowhere.

❑It also teaches us that whoever makes mistakes can be forgiven by God if they repent sincerely.

Verse 38

❑And those who disbelieve and deny our Ayaat (signs, verses), those are the companions of the fire.

❑They will be in it forever.

Verse 39 Basic Meanings

❑Allah both gives positive motivation and warning.

❑The people who disbelieve and are ungrateful and deny these verses and the guidance from God are warned of a punishment for their ungratefulness to God.

❑They will be punished in the fire of Hell.

Verse 39

❑Allah gave this test to them, to teach them and us how to behave in the case mistakes happen.

❑There is no doubt humans will make mistakes since we are forgetful, however God has shown us the method of dealing with mistakes: to repent sincerely to God.

❑And God has promised to accept our sincere repentance.

❑The Prophet (SAW) said: “Were you to never commit sins, Allah would create people who would commit sins and ask for forgiveness and He would forgive them.” (Sahih Muslim)

❑Meaning that our test is not to be sinless (since that is impossible), but to be always repenting from any mistakes we may make by accident.

What was the Purpose of the Test of the Tree?

❑A servant committed a sin and he said: “O Allah, forgive me my sins,” and Allah (the Exalted and Glorious) said: “My servant committed a sin and then he came to realize that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins and takes to account (the sinner) for the sin.”

❑“He then again committed a sin and said: “My Lord, forgive me my sin,” and Allah, the Exalted and High, said: “My servant committed a sin and then came to realize that he has a Lord Who would forgive his sin or would take (him) to account for the sin.”

❑He again committed a sin and said: “My Lord, forgive me for my sin,” and Allah (the Exalted and High) said: “My servant has committed a sin and then came to realize that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins or takes (him) to account for sin. O servant, do what you like. I have granted you forgiveness.” (Sahih Muslim)

Power of Repentance Hadith

❑Adam (AS) was taught knowledge by God.

❑Angels and Iblis (Satan) were told to bow to Adam, but Iblis refused. Iblis was not an angel.

❑Shaitan talked to them and misguided them through some method.

❑They sought forgiveness from God and God forgave their mistake.

❑Their sin is not upon us.

Difference Between Islamic and non-Islamic Accounts

Belief that is Islamic but lost in other religions

Belief that is Christian but not in Islamic sources

Green we believe, Red we do not believe, and Black we neither deny nor accept.

❑The tree Adam (AS) ate from was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

❑ Satan was a rebellious angel

❑Satan talked to them as a serpent

❑Their sin is passed down to humans as “original sin”

❑Humans were created as caretakers or successors on Earth. We were not sent here as a punishment, but as a test.

❑Iblis disobeyed God and was arrogant and unrepentant. This caused him to fall from being pious to being ruined.

❑Adam and Hawwa, our parents, were told to avoid one tree, but they made a mistake and ate from it. After this, they were sent down to Earth.

❑Allah taught them how to repent and seek forgiveness from mistakes, and they were forgiven. This is a lesson for us to always seek forgiveness from any mistakes we make.

❑Allah told Adam (AS) to wait for guidance and when that guidance comes to follow it. This Quran is the final guidance, and we must follow it.

Summary of the Story of Adam (AS)

❑Sunnah.com for Hadith

❑Furqan.co for Tafsir in Arabic

❑Englishtafsir.com for Tafsir in English

References