1. Reflections on Story of Adam 1.Why did Allah “consulted” the angels about His plan for creating man on earth? 2.Why did the angels knew that man will cause disorder and shed blood on the earth ? 3.Allah responded: “I know what you know not.” What is the implication of the reply? 4.Why did Allah ordered the Angels and Jins to prostrate to Adam? 5.What was man created for ?

2. 6. Why was he not sent to earth directly right after his being created? 7. The Qur’an mentioned that man was created from essence of clay. Was it reasonable or “scientific” ? 8. Why did Allah forgive Adam and not Iblis ? Was it unfair ? 9. What was the purpose of the Qur’an repeating the story of Adam ? OR, what is the lesson we can draw from the story of Adam? 10. Did Iblis believe in the existence of God? Is Belief sufficient for salvation?

3. Summary According to the Holy Qur’an, Adam and Eve were both responsible for the mistake they made Both of them repented and were forgiven Man was sent to the earth with a mission, as the trustee of God, not as punishment Test in the Garden was designed for preparing man to take up his mission on earth. Allah taught Adam & Eve by practical experience so that they may learn the real intention/motives of Iblis. It can be regarded as a pre-service training program.

4. Man should overcome the temptation of Iblis so as to attain a respectable status and fulfill the assignment given by Allah, the Creator. The challenge of Iblis may serve to strengthen man’s determination and WILL POWER against temptation. An analogy to the invasion of bacteria for immunity of our phsical body. The great weakness of Iblis was ： self – conceitedness and jealousy

5. Man was born in the state of fitrah (inclined to the truth) Man is not the true owner of this world. He is the trustee of Allah. Therefore, he should follow the will of Allah in making use of resources on earth. Allah promised to send guidance to man on earth

6. Concept of Life Role of man : vicegerent of Allah ( Q 6:165) Worship (serve) Allah ( Q 51:56 ) Born in pure state ( Q 30 : 30 ) Each will bear what they have done ( Q 65:7 ) Not abstain from desire, nor indulge in lust Repent to Allah directly upon committing mistake and be determined to improve Satan is our enemy, don’t underestimate its power

7. I have not created the jinn and the men except for this that they should worship Me. عبد male slave, servant (Qur’an 51:56) (Worship) (serve) Purpose of Creation of man

8. Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of what He has made you successor. For those of you who will believe and expend of their wealth there is a great reward. (Qur’an 57:7) Generous & Charitable

9. And thus have We willed you to be a community of the middle way, so that [with your lives] you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind, and that the Apostle might bear witness to it before you. (Qur’an 2:143) The Middle Way – no indulgence in nor abstain from desire

10. So, set your face sincerely and truly towards this Faith and be steadfast on the Nature whereupon Allah has created mankind. (Qur’an 30:30) Narrated Abu-Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "No child is born except on Al-fitra and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or Magian (Zoroastrian), as an animal produces a perfect young animal: do you see any part of its body amputated?" - Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 23, Number 441 Man is Born Sinless

11. "O David, We have made you vicegerent in the earth, so rule among the people with justice and do not follow your lust, for it will lead you astray from Allah's Way." For those who go astray from Allah's Way, there is a severe punishment because they forgot the Day of Reckoning." (Qur’an 38:26) Answerable to Allah

12. 「 …. Every person is himself accountable for what he earns, for no bearer of burden bears the burden of another … 」 (Qur’an 6 : 164) Everyone Will Be Responsible For His Own Deeds

13. “Allah does not burden any human being with a responsibility heavier than he can bear. ” (Qur’an 2:286) Man Will Be Held Accountable According To What He Has Been Given

14. (Qur’an 65 ： 7) “ Let the rich man spend according to his means and let the one whose means are restricted, spend out of what Allah has given him. Allah does not burden anyone with more than what He has given him. …. ” Man Will Be Held Accountable According To What He Has Been Given

15. “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, ” (Qur’an 2 ： 155) Man Will Be Tested

16. It is He, Who has made you the vicegerents on the earth, and raised some of you above others in ranks so that He may test you in what He has given you. Indeed your Lord is swift in inflicting punishment: yet He is also very Forgiving and Merciful. (Qur’an 6 :165) Men Are Made in Ranks