The Creation and Formation of Humankind; The Fourth Stage: Sticky/Thick clay
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 (96)
Allah Almighty says: {Then inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created them [i.e., men] from sticky clay.} [As-Saffat: 11].
"sticky" refers to something that is firm, strongly cohesive, and thick. Sticky clay is a result of mixing soft clay together, which makes it thick and dense, preparing it for solidification and drying.[1]
This sticky clay has several attributes: it is adhesive, meaning it sticks to the hand; it is stable and firm; and it is pure, signifying a high quality of clay.
The phase of sticky clay is likely when Adam's body was shaped and his external features, such as his head, face, neck, limbs, hands, and feet, were formed. This sticky, viscous clay is ideal for shaping and molding. After this shaping process, the lump of sticky clay was left, and over time, it became darker and was transformed into "mud" as its color changed and its odor altered with the passage of years, leading to it being described as "altered black mud''.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 715.
- Biography of Adam, peace be upon him, Al-Khalidi, p. 35.
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:
