The Second Chance

the first death and then this life 

قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَمَتَّنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَٱعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَىٰ خُرُوجٍۢ مِّن سَبِيلٍۢ ١١

They will say, "Our Lord, You made us lifeless twice and gave us life twice, and we have confessed our sins. So is there to an exit any way?"

— Saheeh International

They will say, “Our Lord, You gave us death twice and You gave us life twice. Now we confess our sins. So, is there any way to come out of here?”

— T. Usmani

ذَٰلِكُم بِأَنَّهُۥٓ إِذَا دُعِىَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُۥ كَفَرْتُمْ ۖ وَإِن يُشْرَكْ بِهِۦ تُؤْمِنُوا۟ ۚ فَٱلْحُكْمُ لِلَّهِ ٱلْعَلِىِّ ٱلْكَبِيرِ ١٢

[They will be told], "That is because, when Allāh was called upon alone, you disbelieved; but if others were associated with Him, you believed. So the judgement is with Allāh, the Most High, the Grand."

— Saheeh International

(The reply will be, “No.) This is because whenever Allah alone was invoked, you used to disbelieve, and if partners were associated with Him, you used to believe. Now the decision lies with Allah, the High, the Great.”

— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 40:11-12]

The Quran informs us that we have been given life twice. This is our second chance. We are here on probation. We have been given another chance to accept Allah as the One and Only God, and submit to His Deen (Religion, Law of Recompense), sincerely. 

So, how do we know that this life is our second chance? We were dead before we were given this life. After this life, we will be returned to Allah: 

كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًۭا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ٢٨

How can you disbelieve in Allāh when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.

— Saheeh International

“How is it that you deny Allah, while you were lifeless and He gave you life; then He will make you die, and then He will make you live again, and then to Him you will be returned?

— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 2:28]

Moreover, The Quran also informs us about the Ratified Covenant taken from the Prophets (Q33:7). The last two ayaat of the same surah (Q33:72-73) inform us of a Trust that the Human undertook, a Trust which was offered to the Skies, the Earth, and the Mountains, but they were afraid to undertake. That is the reason why the hypocrites and the polytheists must be punished: 

إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا ٱلْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ ظَلُومًۭا جَهُولًۭا ٧٢

Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.

— Saheeh International

We did offer the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear its burden and were afraid of it, and man picked it up. Indeed he is unjust (to himself), unaware (of the end).

— T. Usmani

لِّيُعَذِّبَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱلْمُنَـٰفِقَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ وَيَتُوبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۢا ٧٣

[It[1] was] so that Allāh may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the men and women who associate others with Him and that Allāh may accept repentance from the believing men and believing women. And ever is Allāh Forgiving and Merciful.

— Saheeh International

The result (of all this) is that Allah will punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the Mushriks, men and women, and will accept the repentance of the believing men and women. Surely Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.

— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 33:72-73]

The Quran also informs us that Allah is generating the evidence, for/against us, through trials in this life: 

أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ٢

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried?

— Saheeh International

Do people think that they will be left (at ease) only on their saying, “We believe” and will not be put to any test?

— T. Usmani

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ٣

But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allāh will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.

— Saheeh International

Indeed We have tested those who were before them. So Allah will surely know the ones who are truthful, and He will surely know the liars.

— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 29:2-3] 

Allah is the Real King, to whom truly belongs the Kingdom of Skies and Earth and all in between.  A King owns His Realm, and governs His Realm. The King decrees Laws to maintain His Kingdom. Those who keep the Law are law-abiding citizens. Those who do not keep the Law are criminals. Crime must be eliminated for the purpose of peace. A Peaceful Realm flourishes with the blessings of The King. Allah will declare Peace upon the Inhabitants of Gardens of the Hereafter. For the purpose of Peace, the criminals will be contained in the Fires of the Hereafter.   

۞ قُلْ إِنِّى نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَمَّا جَآءَنِىَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ مِن رَّبِّى وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٦٦

Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you call upon besides Allāh once the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds."

— Saheeh International

Say, “I have been ordered not to worship those whom you invoke beside Allah when clear signs from my Lord have (already) come to me, and I have been ordered that I should submit to the Lord of the worlds.”

— T. Usmani

[Al-Quran 40:66]

The Quran speaks about the purpose of creation of death and life, which is to test who is the best in deeds (Q67:1-2). The Quran also informs us that all the progeny of the sons of Adam were taken out of their backs, and made to testify upon their nafs  that Allah is their Rabb (Lord Sustainer) (Q7:172-175). Each nafs is in pledge for what it earns. There was a time when the nafs of both Adam and his wife was in a state of Nur. This was before Adam's Fall. Since then, the nafs of each one of us is in Zulm (darkness). We cannot see it, and we cannot locate it. We know it is there. We know it desires. We know it whispers. We know it commands. We know it inclines towards sin. We know we need to control it. We have been given guidance about it. If we heed to Allah's guidance, He promises to restore our nafs to its original state of Nur. We cannot enter the Gardens of the Hereafter without our nafs reinstalled in our body and restored to its state of Nur. Those who lose their nafs on the Day of Judgement will lose their families and be made to enter the Fires of the Hereafter. That is the clear loss. 

We have a choice: 

• do we want citizenship of the Gardens of Eternity, inheritance of the Gardens of Eternity, restoration of health and wealth, and an honourable place in the The True King's Realm? 

          or

• do we want to lose our freedom and our inheritance, lose our health and wealth, and be chained and imprisoned forever in the Fires of Eternity? 

There is no compulsion. We are free to choose. Our Eternity depends on whether we choose to submit to The True King, and be protected from the Fire of Eternity by Allah, or do we choose the clear loss? 

قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصًۭا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ ١١

Say, “I am commanded to worship Allah, being sincerely devoted to Him ˹alone˺.

وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ ١٢

And I am commanded to be the first of those who submit ˹to His Will˺.”

قُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّى عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ١٣

Say, “I truly fear—if I were to disobey my Lord—the torment of a tremendous Day.”

قُلِ ٱللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًۭا لَّهُۥ دِينِى ١٤

Say, “It is ˹only˺ Allah that I worship, being sincere in my devotion to Him.

فَٱعْبُدُوا۟ مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ أَلَا ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ١٥

Worship then whatever ˹gods˺ you want instead of Him.” Say, “The ˹true˺ losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on Judgment Day. That is indeed the clearest loss.”

لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ عِبَادَهُۥ ۚ يَـٰعِبَادِ فَٱتَّقُونِ ١٦

They will have layers of fire above and below them. That is what Allah warns His servants with. So fear Me, O  My servants!

[Al-Quran 39:11-16, Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran]

...

Time, and the Passing of Time 

Looking up the occurrence of the translation 'twice', and use of its Arabic root, it seems to lend meanings to both time and passing:

• Where the Believer is granted permission to divorce his wife, he has a right to revert his decision for two passages of time. If the decision is not taken back before the third period expires, the divorce is finalised. Upon completion of the third and final period, she must leave his home. The marriage contract which they had ratified becomes void. The nikah is annulled. He is no longer her 'qawwam'. He does not have any financial or protection responsibilities towards her, with the exception of if she is carrying his baby.  
• The bani Israel did great corruption in the Earth twice, and were punished twice, before the revelation of The Quran. They were the chosen people. They had ratified a covenant with Allah. They were granted The Torah. They were given The Ten Commandments. They were shown many miracles.  

... 

The triliteral root mīm wāw tā (م و ت) occurs 165 times in the Quran. 

The triliteral root ḥā yā yā (ح ي ي) occurs 184 times in the Quran. 

Also read: 

https://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-covenant-its-ratification.html  

... 

Last updated on: March 7, 2025

The Death of The Soul

...

۞ قُلۡ يَتَوَفّٰٮكُمۡ مَّلَكُ الۡمَوۡتِ الَّذِىۡ وُكِّلَ بِكُمۡ ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّكُمۡ تُرۡجَعُوۡنَ‏ ١١

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Your soul will be taken by the Angel of Death, who is in charge of you. Then to your Lord you will ˹all˺ be returned.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Say , “The angel of death put in charge of you takes you, then to your Lord you are returned .”

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

Say, "The angel of death who has been entrusted with you will take you. Then to your Lord you will be returned."

— Saheeh International

Say, "The angel of death who has been assigned for you will take you in full, then you will be brought back to your Lord."

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 32:11]

We live and we will die. The body disintegrates and becomes dust. Religious people believe they have a soul. Some believe the soul lives on. The Quran is very clear that all created souls must die. It is decreed. The Arabic word used is nafs (نَفۡسٍ):  

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ اَنۡ تَمُوۡتَ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِ اللّٰهِ كِتٰبًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ؕ وَ مَنۡ يُّرِدۡ ثَوَابَ الدُّنۡيَا نُؤۡتِهٖ مِنۡهَا ​ۚ وَمَنۡ يُّرِدۡ ثَوَابَ الۡاٰخِرَةِ نُؤۡتِهٖ مِنۡهَا ​ؕ وَسَنَجۡزِى الشّٰكِرِيۡنَ‏ ١٤٥

No soul can ever die without Allah’s Will at the destined time. Those who desire worldly gain, We will let them have it, and those who desire heavenly reward, We will grant it to them. And We will reward those who are grateful.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

For never was it for anyone to die except by Allah’s leave at a predetermined time. So whoever wants the recompense of the Earlier(Life) , We bring him of it. And whoever wants the recompense of the Hereafter, We bring him of it. And We will repay the thankful ones.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter - We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful.

— Saheeh International

And it is not the choice of a person to die without the will of Allah, death being a time-bound destiny. And whoever seeks the return in this world, We shall give him out of it, and whoever seeks the return in the Hereafter, We shall give him out of it. And We shall soon reward the grateful.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 3:145]

Some people die a natural death, others are killed. The Quran informs us that we should not say that those who have been killed are dead, particularly those killed battling in the way of Allah. They are alive, but we have no idea about their existence:

وَلَا تَقُوۡلُوۡا لِمَنۡ يُّقۡتَلُ فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ اَمۡوَاتٌ ؕ بَلۡ اَحۡيَآءٌ وَّلٰـكِنۡ لَّا تَشۡعُرُوۡنَ‏ ١٥٤

Never say that those martyred in the cause of Allah are dead—in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And do not say of anyone who is killed in the way of Allah, “(They are) dead.” Rather,(they are) alive, but you are unaware.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

And do not say about those who are killed in the way of Allāh, "They are dead." Rather, they are alive, but you perceive [it] not.

— Saheeh International

And do not say of those who are slain in the way of Allah that they are dead. Instead, they are alive, but you perceive not.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 2:154]

The loss of a nafs is not the same as the death of a nafs: 

وَلَـنَبۡلُوَنَّكُمۡ بِشَىۡءٍ مِّنَ الۡخَـوۡفِ وَالۡجُـوۡعِ وَنَقۡصٍ مِّنَ الۡاَمۡوَالِ وَالۡاَنۡفُسِ وَالثَّمَرٰتِؕ وَبَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَۙ‏ ١٥٥

We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure—

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger and shortage of wealths and lives and products. Thus give glad tidings to the patient ones:

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,

— Saheeh International

And surely We will test you with a bit of fear and hunger, and loss in wealth and lives and fruits. And give good tidings to the patient who,

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 2:155]

The nafs cannot be killed before its time. What we humans call death is the body ceasing to live. The nafs dies at its appointed time. It is given death by the angel of death. 

The body ceases to exist as an organism. The cells cannot retain the water they need for them to function. More on this at: Non-Living & Living.

There is also the concept of Ruh. We have been given very little knowledge about the Ruh. I understand Ruh to be Allah's command to breathe. More on this at: Human: Body or Soul? || Ruh / رُوحُ   

...

The Quran states that the greatest loss that a person can suffer is the loss of its soul (nafs) in the hereafter. To flourish in the Gardens of Eternity, we need Allah to restore our Nafs in our body, and to reform whatever loss we and our souls have suffered, through all the human misadventures that have been inflicted, because of our disobedience to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's commands and prohibitions. 

For example, when Adam عليه السلام prayed after eating from the forbidden tree, he used the word ظَلَمۡنَاۤ which is generally translated as 'wronged', and literally translates to 'darkened': 

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَاۤ اَنۡفُسَنَا وَاِنۡ لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَـنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَـنَكُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِيۡنَ‏ ٢٣

They replied, “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be losers.”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

Theydl said, “Our Lord, we have been unjust to ourselves. And unless You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will certainly be of the losers.”

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

Adam and Eve said: 'O our Lord! We have wronged ourselves by doing what You forbade us from, and surely If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us we will be amongst the losers, losing our share of the worldly life and Hereafter.'

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

They 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."

— Saheeh International

They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and do not bless us with mercy, we shall, indeed, be among the losers."

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 7:23]

In their dua, they literally state that they (Adam and his wife) have darkened their nafs (as opposed to being in illumination ( النُّوۡرِ​)? Cross reference: Q2:257). Related post: Adam's Covenant & Expulsion: an overview. 

Adam عليه السلام was tempted to disobey Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in pursuit of Satan's false promises of immortality (Q7:20, Q2:120), of becoming an angel (Q7:20), of a kingdom (body?) that never decays (Q20:120); believing Satan made Adam عليه السلام suffer loss of original, natural clothing. 

The Quran further draws attention to clothes bestowed upon Adam عليه السلام 's progeny as being a Sign of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and warns of not allowing Satan to remove our cover:

يٰبَنِىۡۤ اٰدَمَ لَا يَفۡتِنَـنَّكُمُ الشَّيۡطٰنُ كَمَاۤ اَخۡرَجَ اَبَوَيۡكُمۡ مِّنَ الۡجَـنَّةِ يَنۡزِعُ عَنۡهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوۡءاٰتِهِمَا ؕ اِنَّهٗ يَرٰٮكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيۡلُهٗ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَهُمۡ​ ؕ اِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا الشَّيٰطِيۡنَ اَوۡلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِيۡنَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ ٢٧

O children of Adam! Do not let Satan deceive you as he tempted your parents out of Paradise and caused their cover to be removed in order to expose their nakedness. Surely he and his soldiers watch you from where you cannot see them. We have made the devils allies of those who disbelieve.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

O Children of Adam, never let Satan lure you like he brought your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their garments to show them their private parts. He surely sees you, He and his clan, from where you cannot see them. Indeed, We have made the Satans allies of those who do not believe.

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

O children of Adam, do not let Satan deceive you by making disobedience look beautiful to you, making you leave covering your nakedness with clothing, or leave the clothing of Mindfulness. Do not be deceived as he tricked your parents, making eating from the tree seem good to them, and the result of that was that he got them expelled from Paradise, and their nakedness became clear to them. Satan and his tribe watch and see you, and you cannot see or watch them, so always be on your guard against him and his tribe. Allah made the satans friends and helpers of those who do not have faith in Allah. As for those who have faith and do good, the satans have no way against them.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

O children of Adam, let not Satan tempt you as he removed your parents from Paradise, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. Indeed, We have made the devils allies to those who do not believe.

— Saheeh International

O children of 'Adam, "Do not let Satan put you in trouble the way he had your parents expelled from Paradise, having their dress removed from them, so that he could show them their shame. Indeed, he sees you - he and his company - from where you do not see them. Surely, We have made the satans friends for those who do not believe.

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 7:27]

Adam was a bashr (بَشَرٌ), not a malak (مَلَكٌ), nor was any of his descendants. The Quran is quite clear that immortality is not granted to any bashr (بَشَرٌ). Every bashr (بَشَرٌ) must die: 

وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِكَ الۡخُـلۡدَ​ ؕ اَفَا۟ٮِٕن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الۡخٰـلِدُوۡنَ‏ ٣٤

We have not granted immortality to any human before you ˹O Prophet˺: so if you die, will they live forever?

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

And never did We grant immortality to any human being before yousg . Should you die, are they then the immortal?

— Fadel Soliman, Bridges’ translation

O Messenger, I have not given eternity in this life to any human before you. So if your life comes to an end in this life and you pass away, will they live forever after you? Never.

— Abridged Explanation of the Quran

And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?

— Saheeh International

And We did not assign immortality to any human (even) before you. So, if you die, will they then live forever?

— Maarif-ul-Quran

[Al-Quran 21:34]

Efforts to achieve immortality in this life are futile, and result in failure. Immortality is decreed for the Hereafter. Please read: Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays || ... and Join Me with The Reformed || Families are Forever. 

The Quran also informs us that whatever we suffer is due to our own Nafs. More on this at: DRAFT: Nafs || Disease. Since the nafs is removed when we sleep, so it is not surprising that the body heals better when we are asleep. ... 

The Quran informs us that every sin is an act against our own Nafs. So, with every sin, we further darken our own Nafs. 

Modern science now knows that all 'living' things are a set of instructions, and that the information generated cannot be destroyed. It exists forever. So, every word we say, and every act we perform, all is recorded forever. Also read: Generating The Evidence || Our Record in Our Neck.

Abrahamic scriptures in general, and The Quran in particular, promise a bodily resurrection, and judgement, while non-Abrahamic religions focus on the liberation of the soul from the body. Abrahamic scriptures insist on the worship of the one, true God, while non-Abrahamic religions are mostly polytheistic with a pantheon of deities. Abrahamic scriptures enjoin prayers ordained at fixed times to establish contact with God; polytheistic religions have their own modes of worship to establish contact with those they worship. Abrahamic scriptures invite to the house of peace, to dwell in there forever, while non-Abrahamic religions promise eternal liberation from a body as the purpose to pursue. Also read: Salaam, The Significance of the Spoken Word! || as-Salaat vs Yoga || Spirits and spirituality || The Cursed Tree || The Same Religion (الدِّينِ). 

As our knowledge advances, and we are able to affect changes in our Nafs, we risk devolution and/or  divine punishment. More on this at: Wronging the Nafs || Secular Science vs Creation Faith || Faith vs Science.

Our gullet, and our nafs, are in pledge (Q52:21, Q74:38). We, the progeny of the sons of Adam, were made witness to our nafs (cross reference: Q7:172-174). Also read: The Nafs of The Insaan || Corruption of Creation || The Sustainer of the Worlds (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ) || Humans: Extinct & Extant. 

In this temporary life, every person is offered willing submission to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Deen, that is, a chance to willingly become law-abiding slaves of Allah. However, those who reject or doubt are also permitted to be willingly become lawless criminals. There is no compulsion on the individual. 

We will be judged by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى according to His Deen (Laws of Recompense). The Deen is defined and detailed across The Quran. Surah az-Zumar emphasises the sincerity to The Deen of Allah. Q39:53-59 offers hope to all who have transgressed against their souls to not lose hope of forgiveness from Allah  سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى , and urgently turn towards Allah  سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, submitting to His Deen, and following the best of what has been revealed. Also read: Creation of Space & Time, and The Deen ||  No ilah but Allah لا إله إلا الله || To Forget the Meeting with Allah || Hired for Khilafat.  

The greatest loss that a person can suffer is the permanent loss of their soul in the Hereafter (Q39:15-20). Such people will consciously suffer in Hell, neither living nor dying (Q35:36). 

The souls that are satisfied with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى will be reinstated in their bodies on the Day of Judgement:

يٰۤاَيَّتُهَا النَّفۡسُ الۡمُطۡمَٮِٕنَّةُ  ۖ‏ ٢٧ ارۡجِعِىۡۤ اِلٰى رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَّرۡضِيَّةً​ ۚ‏ ٢٨ فَادۡخُلِىۡ فِىۡ عِبٰدِىۙ‏ ٢٩ وَادۡخُلِىۡ جَنَّتِى‏ ٣٠

(As for an obedient man, it will be said to him,) “O content soul, come back to your Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing. So, enter among My (special) servants, and enter My Paradise.” 

[Al-Quran 89:27-30, Translation: Mufti Taqi Usmani]

The above quoted ayaat are variously translated. As per my understanding of The Quran, it is speaking about the reinstating of the soul (nafs) in its own body, resurrected with the original dust it was created with in this life.  

Related posts: 

Links to posts about Nafs .

...

The Case against the Bani Israel 

Protection from (fear of) ar-Rahab 

The Serpent & The Snake: a Clear Sign 

Last updated on: January 18, 2024

Non-Living & Living

Abstract 

Non-living and living are states of being! Our Ever-Living Creator has created these alternate states of existence. We exist in death as much as we exist in life. 

Full Text 

كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

How can you refuse to acknowledge God, seeing that you were lifeless and He gave you life, and that He will cause you to die and then will bring you again to life, whereupon unto Him you will be brought back?

[Al-Quran 2:28, Translation: Muhammad Asad]

Scientists classify things into living and non-living things. Rather, non-living and living are states of being! Our Ever-Living Creator has created these alternate states of existence. 

In Surah al-Mulk, the purpose of these alternate states of existence is explained: 

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

Blessed is Causes to flourish He in Whose hand is the kingdom, and He has power over all things,

Who created death and life that He may try you-- which of you is best in deeds; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving,

[Al-Quran 67:1-2, Translation: Shakir; edited in italics]

Death is a creation as much as Life is a creation. Life has been given for the purpose of testing... 

We exist in death as much as we exist in life. However, in life, a person exists and can flourish, in different ways, and in varying degrees. This flourishing is in Allah's hand to whom belongs The Kingdom. Whenever Allah wills, he can decrease, cease and reverse the flourishing state to a state of slow decline, death and disintegration: 

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِيَ اللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِيَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ الْكَافِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

قُلْ هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ آمَنَّا بِهِ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِين

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَاؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَاءٍ مَّعِينٍ

Say thou: bethink ye if Allah destroy me and those with me; or have mercy on us, who will protect the infidels from a torment afflictive?

Say thou: He is the Compassionate; in Him we have believed, and in Him we have put our trust. -And anon ye will know who it is that is in error manifest.

Say thou: bethink ye, were your water to be sunk away, who then could bring you water welling-up? 

[Al-Quran 67:28-30, Translation: Abdul Majid Daryabadi]  

A major difference between non-living and living things is the welling-up of water inside each living cell which provides the medium for a living thing to exist, function and flourish! Dehydration leads to death, that is, transition into the non-living state. Death comes when decreed, and after death the body generally loses water and perishes. Though I've retained the word 'destroy' in the above translation, I think a clearer translation of (أَهْلَكَنِيَ) should be 'causes me to perish'.  

The Inhabitants of The Tombs  

The Quran is quite clear that humans are created from dust. Dust can and does exist is both non-living and living states. We were lifeless; we have been granted a temporal life, and we continue to exist in death as well. Surah al-Mumtahinah concludes thus: 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَوَلَّوْا قَوْمًا غَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ قَدْ يَئِسُوا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ كَمَا يَئِسَ الْكُفَّارُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْقُبُورِ

You who believe, do not patronize any folk whom God has become angry with; they despair of the Hereafter just as disbelievers despair of the inhabitants of tombs.

[Al-Quran 60:13, Translation: T. B. Irving]  

O you who believe! do not make friends with a people with whom Allah is wroth; indeed they despair of the hereafter as the unbelievers despair of those in tombs.

[Al-Quran 60:13, Translation: Shakir]  

Believers do not take as allies those with whom God is angry. They have despaired of the Hereafter, as unbelievers despair of those buried in their graves.

[Al-Quran 60:13, Translation: Safi Kaskas]  

The Barrier

لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ كَلَّا إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا وَمِن وَرَائِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

Haply I may do good in that which I have left. By no means! it is a (mere) word that he speaks; and before them is a barrier until the day they are raised.

[Al-Quran 23:100, Translation: Safi Kaskas]  

There exists a barrier between the realms of the non-living and living, such that once this temporal life ends, the dead cannot return to this life. 

Communicating with the Non-Living 

وَمَا يَسْتَوِي الْأَحْيَاءُ وَلَا الْأَمْوَاتُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُسْمِعُ مَن يَشَاءُ وَمَا أَنتَ بِمُسْمِعٍ مَّن فِي الْقُبُورِ

Neither are the living and the dead alike. Surely Allah makes whom He pleases hear, and you cannot make those hear who are in the graves.

[Al-Quran 35:22, Translation: Shakir]  

The non-living and the living cannot communicate with each other. We humans cannot make the dead listen to what we want to say to them. Yet, Allah can make them listen! The non-living state is a state of existence! 

The Life

وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌ وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ

And this life of the world is nothing but a sport and a play; and as for the next abode, that most surely is the life-- did they but know!

[Al-Quran 29:64, Translation: Shakir]  

Last edited on: September 9, 2019

The Creation & Emergence of Species

Abstract 

The creation and emergence of species as described in The Quran. 

Full Text 

ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَاعْبُدُوهُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ 

That (is) Allah your Lord, (there is) no god except Him, (the) Creator (of) every thing, so worship Him. And He (is) on every thing a Guardian. 

[Al-Quran 6:102]

The scriptural and scientific history have many parallels and overlaps: 

• water was sent to this planet before any life could appear on it; 
• the plants preceded animal life; 
• ectotherms appeared before endotherms; 

Creation of Species 

Allah, the one and only God, is not only the creator of everything, but also perfect in His ability to create. He made good everything He created: 

الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقَهُ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ الْإِنسَانِ مِن طِينٍ

The One Who made good every thing He created, and He began (the) creation (of) man from clay.

[Al-Quran 32:7]

The species were created and blessed to flourish before the Universe as we know it came into existence, after which they have emerged on the planet as preordained:  

قُلْ أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَكْفُرُونَ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ وَتَجْعَلُونَ لَهُ أَندَادًا ذَٰلِكَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ
وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ مِن فَوْقِهَا وَبَارَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَا أَقْوَاتَهَا فِي أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍ سَوَاءً لِّلسَّائِلِينَ

ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَهِيَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ائْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَائِعِينَ

فَقَضَاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِي كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ أَمْرَهَا وَزَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَحِفْظًا ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ

Ask ˹them, O Prophet˺, “How can you disbelieve in the One Who created the earth in two Days? And how can you set up equals with Him? That is the Lord of all worlds.
He placed on the earth firm mountains, standing high, showered His blessings upon it, and ordained ˹all˺ its means of sustenance—totaling four Days exactly—for all who ask.
Then He turned towards the heaven when it was ˹still like˺ smoke, saying to it and to the earth, ‘Submit, willingly or unwillingly.’ They both responded, ‘We submit willingly.’
So He formed the heaven into seven heavens in two Days, assigning to each its mandate. And We adorned the lowest heaven with ˹stars like˺ lamps ˹for beauty˺ and for protection. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing.”

[Al-Quran 41:9-10, Translation: Dr Mustafa Khattab] 

The Quran and The Bible both contain two genesis narratives.

The narrative of The Quran can be categorised into two groups: those ayaat which inform about the great works of Allah; and the other group comprises of the ayaat that use the pronoun We, which inform about the tasks subsequently assigned, by Allah, to some mighty beings in the divine government, who also seem to be the authors of The Quran.

For more on the difference between THE CREATOR  I and THE CREATORS WE, please read the similarly titled section at the bottom of the post: Human: Body or Soul?

Water - the basis of life  

أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

Do not see those who disbelieved that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We parted them and We made from [the] water every living thing? Then will not they believe?

[Al-Quran 21:30]

وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَابَّةٍ مِّن مَّاءٍ فَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ بَطْنِهِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ أَرْبَعٍ يَخْلُقُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

And Allah created every moving creature from water. Of them (is a kind) who walks on its belly, and of them (is a kind) who walks on two legs, and of them (is a kind) who walks on four. Allah creates what He wills. Indeed, Allah on every thing (is) All-Powerful.

[Al-Quran 24:45]

It is a well-recognised fact that all known lifeforms are water-based! The double helix occurs in the molecular scale in water clusters and in the DNA of living things. Moreover, the DNA molecule itself is surrounded with water and would not be able to function in the absence of water. Also consider: 

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ
...
قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَاؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَاءٍ مَّعِينٍ

Blessed is He in Whose Hand (is) the Dominion, and He (is) over every thing All-Powerful.
The One Who created death and life that He may test you, which of you (is) best (in) deed. And He (is) the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.
...
Say, "Have you seen, if becomes your water sunken, then who could bring you water flowing?"

[Al-Quran 67:1,2,...30]

...

Say thou: bethink ye, were your water to be sunk away, who then could bring you water welling-up? 

[Al-Quran 67:30, Translation: Abdul Majid Daryabadi]  

A major difference between non-living and living things is the welling-up of water inside each living cell which provides the medium for a living thing to exist, function and flourish! Dehydration leads to death, that is, transition into the non-living state.  

Emergence of Life  

يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَيُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ

He brings forth the living from the dead and He brings forth the dead from the living, and He gives life (to) the earth after its death, and thus you will be brought forth.

[Al-Quran 30:19]

وَآيَةٌ لَّهُمُ الْأَرْضُ الْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَاهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ
وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّاتٍ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنَ الْعُيُونِ
لِيَأْكُلُوا مِن ثَمَرِهِ وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ

And a Sign for them (is) the earth dead. We give it life and We bring forth from it grain, and from it they eat. And We placed therein gardens of date-palms and grapevines, and We caused to gush in it of the springs, That they may eat of its fruit. And not made it their hands. So will not they be grateful?

[Al-Quran 36:33-35] 

Flora & Fauna   

وَهُوَ الَّذِي مَدَّ الْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَأَنْهَارًا وَمِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
And He (is) the One Who spread the earth, and placed in it firm mountains and rivers, and from all (of) the fruits He made in it pairs two. He covers the night (with) the day. Indeed, in that surely (are) Signs for a people who ponder. 

[Al-Quran 13:3]

وَالْأَرْضَ مَدَدْنَاهَا وَأَلْقَيْنَا فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَأَنبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَّوْزُونٍ

And the earth, We have spread it and [We] cast therein firm mountains and [We] caused to grow therein of every thing well-balanced.

[Al-Quran 15:19]

الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمْ فِيهَا سُبُلًا وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ شَتَّىٰ 

The One Who made for you the earth (as) a bed and inserted for you therein ways, and sent down from the sky water, then We (have) brought forth with it, pairs of plants diverse. 

[Al-Quran 20:53] 

Scientists are now theorising that water on Earth predates the formation of the Solar System, has celestial origins and must have been delivered to Earth. 

  

Fire from Green Trees  

Interestingly the Arabic words for gardens & jinns share the same root: ج ن ن
The Quran states that the jinns were created from fire; and fire has been made from green plants: 

الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الشَّجَرِ الْأَخْضَرِ نَارًا فَإِذَا أَنتُم مِّنْهُ تُوقِدُونَ

The One Who made for you from the tree [the] green - fire, and behold! You from it ignite. 

[Al-Quran 36:80] 

أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ النَّارَ الَّتِي تُورُونَ

أَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَا أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنشِئُونَ

Do you see the Fire, which you ignite?
Is it you who produced its tree or We (are) the Producers?

[Al-Quran 56:71-72]

Animals 

وَمَا مِن دَابَّةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّا أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ

And not [of] any animal in the earth and not a bird (that) flies with its wings - but (are) communities like you. We have not neglected in the Book [of] anything, then to their Lord they will be gathered. 

[Al-Quran 6:38] 

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَا أَنْعَامًا فَهُمْ لَهَا مَالِكُونَ

وَذَلَّلْنَاهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ

وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ

Do not they see that We [We] created for them from what have made Our hands, cattle, then they [for them] (are the) owners?
And We have tamed them for them, so some of them - they ride them, and some of them they eat.
And for them therein (are) benefits and drinks, so (will) not they give thanks? 

[Al-Quran 36:71-73]

وَفِي خَلْقِكُمْ وَمَا يَبُثُّ مِن دَابَّةٍ آيَاتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ

وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِن رِّزْقٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ آيَاتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

And in your creation and what He disperses of (the) moving creatures (are) Signs for a people who are certain. 

And (in the) alternation (of) the night and the day and what Allah sends down from the sky of (the) provision and gives life thereby (to) the earth after its death, and (in) directing (the) winds (are) Signs for a people who reason. 

[Al-Quran 45:4-5]  

Jinns & Humans 

خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِن صَلْصَالٍ كَالْفَخَّارِ

وَخَلَقَ الْجَانَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ مِّن نَّارٍ

He created the man from clay like the pottery.
And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire.

[Al-Quran 55:14-15]

Based upon the ability of organisms to internally produce heat or depend upon external sources to regulate their body temperature, they are classified as endotherms and ectotherms: endotherms such as humans thermoregulate their body temperature; ectotherms, on the other hand, depend on their environment to heat or cool down their bodies, such as snakes and other reptiles. 

The Age of Reptiles

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن صَلْصَالٍ مِّنْ حَمَإٍ مَّسْنُونٍ

وَالْجَانَّ خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ السَّمُومِ

And verily, We created humankind (out) of sounding clay from black mud altered.

And the jinn We created it before from fire scorching.

[Al-Quran 15:26-27] 

The Quran states that in this world the jinns were created before humans. Jinns, I understand, are Snakes, as discussed in detail in جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn). According to fossil records, the reptiles appeared on the Earth much before the mammals.


The Age of Man 

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوا أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَاءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاءِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
قَالَ يَا آدَمُ أَنبِئْهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ فَلَمَّا أَنبَأَهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ
وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

He (is) the One Who created for you what (is) in the earth, all. Then, He turned to the heaven and fashioned them into seven heavens. And He of every thing (is) All-Knowing.
And when said your Lord to the angels, "Indeed, I (am) going to place in the earth a vicegerent, they said, "Will You place in it (one) who will spread corruption in it and will shed [the] blood[s], while we, [we] glorify (You) with Your praises and we sanctify [to] He said, "Indeed, [I] know what not you know."
And He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He displayed them to the angels, then He said, "Inform of (the) names (of) these, if you are truthful."
They said, "Perfect are You! No knowledge (is) for us except what You have taught us. Indeed You! You (are) the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
He said, "O Adam! Inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, He said, "Did not I say to you, Indeed, I [I] know (the) unseen (of) the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you have been concealing."
And when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," [so] they prostrated except Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.
And We said, "O Adam! Dwell you and your spouse (in) Paradise, and [you both] eat from it freely (from) wherever you [both] wish. But do not [you two] approach this [the] tree, lest you [both] be of the wrongdoers."
Then made [both of] them slip the Shaitaan from it, and he got [both of] them out from what they [both] were in [it]. And We said, "Go down (all of you), some of you to others (as) enemy; and for you in the earth (is) a dwelling place and a provision for a period."
Then received Adam from his Lord words, So (his Lord) turned towards him. Indeed He! He (is) the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Most Merciful.
We said, "Go down from it all (of you), and when, comes to you from Me Guidance, then whoever follows My Guidance, [then] no fear (will be) on them and not they will grieve.
And those who disbelieve[d] and deny Our Signs, those (are the) companions (of) the Fire; they in it (will) abide forever."

[Al-Quran 2:29-39, Translation edited] 

There is some back story to 'I know what you reveal and what you have been concealing'. Adam, the primate, was created, bestowed knowledge (including what the angels thought they were concealing from God?), and made the dominant specie, so that the humans would henceforth be entrusted to rule with justice and compassion on Earth:

 يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ

أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

"O Dawood! Indeed, We [We] have made you a vicegerent in the earth, so judge between [the] men in truth and (do) not follow the desire, for it will lead you astray from (the) way (of) Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from (the) way (of) Allah, for them (is) a punishment severe because they forgot (the) Day (of) Account."
And not We created the heaven and the earth and whatever (is) between them without purpose. That (is the) assumption (of) those who disbelieve. So woe to those who disbelieve, from the Fire.
Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption in the earth? Or should We treat the pious like the wicked?
(This is) a Book We have revealed it to you, blessed, that they may ponder (over) its Verses and may be reminded those of understanding.

[Al-Quran 38:26-29] 

Service & Accountability 

وَجَعَلُوا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجِنَّةِ نَسَبًا وَلَقَدْ عَلِمَتِ الْجِنَّةُ إِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ

And they have made between Him and between the jinn a relationship, but certainly, know the jinn that they (will) surely be brought.

[Al-Quran 37:158]

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And not I have created the jinn and the mankind except that they worship Me.

[Al-Quran 51:56]

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَهَرٍ
فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ

Indeed, the righteous (will be) in gardens and river,
In a seat (of) honor near a King Most Powerful.

[Al-Quran 54:54-55]

-----------

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

He (is) Allah, the One Who, (there is) no god but He, (the) All-Knower (of) the unseen and the witnessed. He (is) the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
He (is) Allah, the One Who, (there is) no god but He, the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Giver of Peace, the Giver of Security, the Guardian, the All-Mighty, the Irresistible, the Supreme. Glory (be to) Allah from what they associate (with Him).
He (is) Allah, the Creator, the Inventor, the Fashioner. For Him (are) the names the beautiful. Glorifies Him whatever (is) in the heavens and the earth. And He (is) the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

[Al-Quran 59:22-24]

Related posts

Creation  

Double Helix
Water & Earth

Pairs of Glaciers
Honey Bee
Ant Communication

All Creatures Form Communities 

جَانٌّ (Snake || Jinn)

Human: Body or Soul? 

The First Humans  

Insights into the Creation of Humans
Adam's Attempt to Improve upon Allah's Creation
Humans: Extinct & Extant 

Humans: God's viceroy or Earth's viceroy?
Blue-Eyed Criminals

Last updated on: December 7, 2020