The Angels Sujud of Adam(alaihissalaam) -Part 7 (Final)

The Angels Sujud of Adam(alaihissalaam)

To explain this type, we should say that the Quran did not only state that the angels were ordered to make Sujud to Adam, but also mentioned the reason behind this Divine Commandment.

Allah said,

{So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them. Except Iblîs (Satan), he was proud and was one of the disbelievers. (Allâh) said: “O Iblîs (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands. Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?” [Iblîs (Satan)] said: “I am better than he. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay”};    -[38:73-6]

Allah mentioned His creating Adam with Both His Hands as the reason for His commanding the Angels and Satan to prostrate before Adam.

The topic of discussion in these Verses was the origin of creation, i.e., how Allah created some of His creation, not the worship of Adam, his privileges or subsequent sin.

This is why Satan responded by saying, “I am better than him”, then said, “You created me from fire and him, You created from clay.”

The Islamic tradition teaches that for a period of time before Adam was created, Satan was with the angels, even though he was from the Jinn (the devils are disbelieving Jinn), {So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together. Except Iblîs (Satan) — he refused to be among the prostrators};    -[15:30-1]

Satan protested on two accounts, as follows.

Firstly, Satan rejected Allah’s Commandment to make Sujud to Adam because he believed that the origin of his creation, fire, is ‘better’ than the clay from which Adam was created.

Secondly, to further solidify this meaning, the Ayah wherein Allah said, {[Iblîs (Satan)] said: “See this one (Adam) whom You have Karramta (honored) above me, if You give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will surely, seize and mislead his offspring (by sending them astray) all but a few!”};   - [17:62]

Thus, it is the Quran itself that mentions that the prostrating of the angels to Adam was an act of Ikram (honoring) of Adam in the plainest terms. Satan mentioned the purpose behind Allah ordering him and the angels to make Sujud to Adam, that is, Allah’s ‘Ikram (honoring)’ of Adam above the angels and the devils; the Quran stated that the reason behind Adam’s ‘Ikram’ is that Allah created him with Both His Hands.

Hence, to honor Adam, the angels made Sujud to Adam in direct obedience to Allah Who created him with His Own Hands and Who does what He wills.

The type of Sujud that Allah ordered the angels to perform before Adam, as well as, the Sujud that Prophet Ya`qub made to Prophet Yusuf, is a matter of Law (A`hkam, or Sharî’ah), not a matter of worship. When Islam came, many of the laws of previous nations were abrogated, among them the Sujud that is to honor kings and leaders. Ever since Islam disallowed it, making any type of Sujud to other than Allah, regardless of the intention behind it, even if it were to honor kings and leaders as was the tradition before Islam, became prohibited for Muslims.

However, we should state, the Angels are not required to follow Islamic Law. For example, the angels do not fast during Ramadhan; the angels do not eat let alone fast from eating.

Conclusion:

As stated, Islamic traditions teach that Iblis, the forefather of the Jinn, was with the angels and Allah put him to the test of obedience by ordering him and the angels to prostrate to Adam, soon after Allah created Adam with His Own Hands. Instead of acting like the angels by obeying Allah and honoring what He has created with His Own Hands, Satan refused and was thrown out of Allah’s Mercy for eternity. He was arrogant and the father of evil, refuting Allah’s Commandment by ‘informing’ Him of which of His creation is better than others, fully knowing that Allah is the Creator, the All-Knower.

This Sujud which Angels made to Adam(alaihissalaam) falls under the second category of Sujud which comes under honoring.

Adapted from brother Jalal Abualrub's article: When the Evangelist Becomes a Shaikh, the Angels Become Worshippers of Adam

Wabarakallaahu feekum
Abu Hamna