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We can ask ourselves why men have been given the responsibility over the earth. Do we
deserve this honor? Even the angels did not understand Allah's decision.
30. Behold, Your Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They
said: "Wilt You place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- while
we do celebrate Your praises and glorify Your holy (name)?" He said: "I know what you
know not."
31. And He taught Adam the nature (name) of all things; then He placed them before
the angels, and said: "Tell me the nature (names) of these if you are right."
32. They said: "Glory to You, of knowledge We have none, save what You Have taught
us: In truth it is You Who is perfect in knowledge and wisdom."
33. He said: "O Adam! Tell them their natures." When he had told them, Allah said:
"Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what you
reveal and what you conceal?"
34. And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not
so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.
[Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow): 2: 25-34]
What does the Qur'an means by the sentence: "(Allah has) taught Adam the nature of all
things”?
What is the “nature” of things? Why did Allah did ask angels and jinns to bow down to Adam?
Why Allah did not teach all things directly by Himself? What was the intended purpose?
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Since things were made to bow to Adam, does that mean that the earth was created only for the
commodity of men?
He Who has made for you the earth like a carpet spread out;
has enabled you to go about therein by roads (and channels);
and has sent down water from the sky." With it have We produced
diverse pairs of plants each separate from the others.
[Surah Tâ-Hâ : 20: 53]
52
This idea makes more sense if we know that animals are revived during Doomsday so that they
may be witnesses on the way they were treated by men. Then, these animals will be reduced to
earth. The Hereafter contains animals, but they will be different from those on earth. Knowing
that, what can we possibly conclude about what differentiates men from animals? Can we safely
say that the animal condition in the Hereafter is linked to their refusal of the covenant?
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So, at the beginning, men were given the names of all things; they understood how things
were ordained. Can we still distinguish between right or wrong, good and bad? Is it a part of our
nature?
Yes
No
I do not know
Maybe
Men are left with a choice: to do good or to do bad. Why can men choose? What
enables men to make a choice in their behavior?
Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and
the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the
rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an
earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the
change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and
the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.
[Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow): 2: 164]
Explain:
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Some men are bad; some are good. Why is that? What is the wisdom behind the necessity of
having good and bad people?
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