Adam And Eve Are Equal In Responsibility
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 (84)
The Quranic text is clear beyond any doubt that the whispers from Satan were directed at both Adam and Eve, and that the sin was committed equally by both. There is no verse in the Holy Quran that suggests, even indirectly, that Eve was the one who led Adam astray, or that Satan tempted Eve alone or prior to tempting Adam. One can say:
- Both were forbidden from approaching or eating from the tree, as stated in the verse: {But do not approach this tree,}.
- Both were clearly warned about Satan’s enmity and the consequences of following his deception, as expressed in the verse: {So We said, "O Adam, indeed this is an enemy to you and to your wife.} [Taha: 117].
- Both were led astray by Satan, as stated in the verse: {But Satan caused them to slip out of it}.
- Both were whispered to by Satan, as mentioned in the verse: {But Satan whispered to them} [Al-A'raf: 20].
- Both were sworn to by Satan, in the verse: {And he swore [by Allah] to them, "Indeed, I am to you from among the sincere advisors."} [Al-A'raf: 21].
- Both were misled and fell into sin, as indicated in the verse: {So he made them fall, through deception.} [Al-A'raf: 22].
- Both tasted the forbidden tree together at the same time, as stated: {And when they tasted of the tree,} [Al-A'raf: 22].
- Both wronged themselves, as reflected in the verse: {They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves,} [Al-A'raf: 22].
- Both repented to Allah and sought His forgiveness, as mentioned: {and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."} [Al-A'raf: 23].
Some verses point to Adam alone bearing the responsibility for the sin without mentioning Eve. The covenant was made with Adam, the forgetfulness was from him, and the lack of resolve was from him, not Eve. Even though it is generally understood that both are meant here, the verse specifically addresses Adam. Allah Almighty said: {And We had already taken a promise from Adam before, but he forgot; and We found not in him determination.} [Taha: 115].
The warning and admonition about the consequences of eating from the tree were directed specifically at Adam. In Allah's statement: {So We said, "O Adam, indeed this is an enemy to you and to your wife. Then let him not remove you from Paradise so you would suffer.} [Taha: 117]. And in His statement: {Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?"} [Taha: 120]. Also, in His statement: {And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred.} [Taha: 121].
No writer, scriptwriter, or filmmaker should come forward anymore and create dialogues for their characters that contradict what is stated in the Book of Allah. They should not follow myths or distorted books falsely attributed to Allah, in which it is falsely and maliciously claimed that Eve caused Adam to be expelled from Paradise, that she was the reason for his temptation, or that she was the one who asked him, encouraged him, or seduced him to eat from the tree.
Oh, human rights organizations...
Oh, women's rights advocacy groups...
Oh, those who exploit women's rights in every forum...
Oh, all the proponents of civilizations and cultures...
Oh, institutions of thought, UNESCO, and women's advocacy clubs...
This is the Book of Allah, speaking the truth, exonerating the original woman, the first lady of the universe, the complete female—Eve—from the accusation falsely attributed to her throughout the ages, either out of ignorance or malicious intent: the accusation of tempting Adam, causing his expulsion from Paradise, and dragging humanity into the suffering of Earth, depriving them of the comfort and bliss of Paradise.
These are the clear and explicit verses of Allah, leaving no room for doubt or ambiguity, teaching humanity that Eve had no role in tempting or persuading Adam to eat from the tree. Eve is equal to the father of humanity, though she may bear less responsibility for eating from the tree, following Satan, disobeying the Merciful, and forgetting His command.
The Qur'anic verses are careful to assign responsibility to both Adam and Eve, without absolving either of them. Both made a mistake, both repented and sought forgiveness, and Allah forgave each of them, without punishing one over the other.
Adam's descent to earth was the intended purpose of his creation, as Allah said: {"Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority."} [Al-Baqarah: 30]. It was not merely a punishment but a preordained reason, as the descent to earth and the role of succession were decreed by Allah with His wisdom. Humans are responsible for their voluntary actions, and circumstances, environment, and other influences play a role in amplifying responsibility, but they do not cancel out the legal or moral consequences of a person's actions, whether in this world or in the hereafter.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 602-605.
- Adam and Eve: Secrets and Facts, Muhammad Abd al-Baqi, p. 84.
- Biography of Adam, peace be upon him, Al-Khalidi, p. 148.
- My father taught me, Al-Awda, p. 218.
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:
