The Story of Adam: Creation, Trial, and Mercy Allah, Exalted is He, informed the angels that He would create a human being to be a vicegerent on earth. The angels were amazed and said: “Will You place in it one who will spread corruption there and shed blood…?” So He made clear to them that He has a wisdom they do not know: “I know what you do not know.” Allah created Adam from dust mixed with water until it became clay, then sticky mud, then dried clay. He shaped him and breathed into him from His Spirit, and he became alive. Allah taught Adam all the names – the ability to name things and express meanings – so his virtue appeared over the angels, and they realized that this creature had the capacity for knowledge and for carrying the responsibility of the earth. Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam in a prostration of honor, not worship. They all prostrated except Iblis, who grew arrogant and said: “I am better than him; You created me from fire and created him from clay.” So Allah expelled him from His mercy and cursed him until the Day of Judgment. Then Iblis swore that he would mislead the children of Adam, except for Allah’s sincere servants. Allah placed Adam and Hawwa’ (Eve) in Paradise and allowed them to enjoy everything except one tree. Satan whispered to them: “Shall I show you the Tree of Eternity and a kingdom that never fades?” They forgot the command and ate from the tree. Their nakedness became apparent to them, so they covered themselves with leaves from Paradise. Then Allah commanded them to descend to the earth and promised them guidance. Adam and Hawwa’ repented, and Allah accepted their repentance. Their descent to earth was the fulfillment of Allah’s earlier decree: “I am placing a vicegerent on earth.” On earth, Adam lived as a prophet, teaching his children faith and warning them against Satan. Among his sons were Habil (Abel) and Qabil (Cain). Each of them offered a sacrifice to Allah; it was accepted from Habil because he was more God-fearing, and not accepted from Qabil. Out of envy, Qabil threatened to kill his brother, so Habil said: “Allah only accepts from the righteous.” The advice did not benefit him, so he killed his brother – the first murder in human history – then learned from a crow how to bury him in the ground. Adam (peace be upon him) grew old while reminding his descendants to obey Allah and oppose Satan, until his time of death came. The angels came, took his soul, washed his body, shrouded him and buried him, and they said to the children of Adam: “This is how you will treat your dead.