Meaning of ‘’Successor’’ in The Story Of Adam, peace be upon him
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (54)
In the Quranic usage, the word "successor'' appears in a comprehensive, constructive life context. The mission of humanity is to cultivate the earth, and for this reason, they were created: {He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it,} [Hud: 61].
{"Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority."}; The angels believed themselves worthy of this succession through glorification and sanctification. However, it was revealed to them that the task could not be accomplished merely through this; it is a task of construction, toil, and burdens. This mission can only be carried out by one who is created from the earth. The succession on earth is Adam's act of worship: {And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} [Adh-Dhariyat: 56]. Thus, prayer, remembrance, the cultivation of the earth, and uncovering its secrets are all righteous actions that support and complement each other.
- "Succession" can only exist when this being succeeds one another in a cumulative, voluntary act of worship, based on that remarkable trust which the heavens, the earth, and the mountains refused to bear, so humanity took it on: {Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.} [Al-Ahzab: 72].
- Succession is based on the free will of this being and the freedom of choice: {And have shown him the two ways?} [Al-Balad: 10].
- Succession of the earth make the discovery, construction, knowledge, and invention for the service of humanity a divine mission, not a marginal or secondary matter.
- Humanity was created to be a successor, not to be a mere copy of the angels.
- Succession is the cultivation of the earth according to Allah's system, while glorification and remembrance are assistance and support for accomplishing the mission and enduring its consequences, costs, and hardships. The connection with Allah provides hope, love, forgiveness, success, and happiness in this world and the Hereafter.
Succession is not merely a political task; it is a broad intellectual and humanitarian assignment. Allah is present and never absent, and in the travel prayer, it is said: "O Allah, You are the companion in travel and the successor over the family."
- Humanity is not a successor of Allah, but rather a successor from Allah.
- The majority of specialists believe that the term "successive authority" in the mentioned verse refers to Adam and his descendants, and the one who grants this Succession is Allah Almighty.
- The intended meaning of "successive authority" is not limited to the person of Adam alone, but rather refers to the human species in general. The verse was revealed in the context of announcing the creation of a new species, not in the context of explaining specific conditions related to the person of Adam.
- This succession on earth requires the fulfillment of Allah's will in establishing life on earth, as one of the meanings of vicegerency is the obligation to carry out the commands that contribute to the cultivation of the earth and achieve the worship of Allah Almighty. In this context, succession is a dignified appointment for the successor.
The ultimate purpose of human life, within the framework of the belief in succession, is to engage in the cultivation of the earth according to Allah's commands and prohibitions. In every material or spiritual endeavor, one should be directed towards Allah, seeking to understand His will, striving to attain His pleasure, and working diligently to achieve it. In this sense, every movement of humanity on earth, whether individual or collective, material or spiritual, becomes an act of worship to Allah Almighty.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 398-401.
- Islamic Motivation Jurisprudence, Abdul Majeed Al-Najjar, p. 52.
- My father taught me with Adam from clay to clay, Salman Al-Awdah, p. 94.
- Falsehood does not come to it, Muhammad Saeed Ramadan, p. 132.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
