The Creation and Formation of Humankind; The Fifth Stage: Altered Black Mud
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 (97)
Allah Almighty informed us in His Book that He created Adam from clay from altered black mud. He said: {And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.} [Al-Hijr: 26]. And He said: {And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.} [Al-Hijr: 28]. He also said: {He said, "Never would I prostrate to a human whom You created out of clay from an altered black mud."} [Al-Hijr: 33]. The word ''mud'' appears three times in the Noble Qur'an, and in all instances, it is preceded by ''clay'' and described as altered black mud.
This is, by no means, to belittle humanity but to highlight its humble origin so that one may humble oneself. For Allah has endowed man with gifts, and if these are not tempered by the principles of faith and humility, he will become arrogant. His downfall and failures stem from this arrogance. The Wise One willed that His creation come from this very humble origin of rotten black clay that turned into clay, thus combining the lowliness of origin and weakness together.
All of this is meant to encourage humility, not to belittle, demean, or diminish his worth. If this were the case, then why would His angels prostrate to him? Would they belittle him or undermine his status? Certainly not.
Ibn Ashour stated that the purpose of mentioning these things is to indicate the wondrous creation of Allah, as He brought forth from this humiliating state a being who is the master of all forms of living matter. This also points to the essence of life, which is constituted from earthiness, moisture, and decay. The emphasis in the phrase, with the particle of emphasis and the use of "indeed'', serves to highlight the significance of this creation and its nature.
As for Al-Sa’di, he explained: "From clay from altered black mud", meaning from clay that has dried after being heated until it produced a sound like that of pottery. The mud that is altered black refers to the clay that has changed in color and smell due to prolonged sitting.
This is a subsequent stage after the stage of 'sticky clay', where the thick, sticky clay was left until it dried and hardened, transforming into black clay that changed in color. As it continued to dry, it became hard and sounding clay, so that when struck, it would produce a sound. Upon reaching the maximum dryness and hardness, it was compared to pottery.
Describing the clay from which Adam will be created as ‘altered black mud’ conveys many meanings, including:
The clay was black in color.
The formation and creation of Adam's body occurred during the stage of sticky clay.
Some meanings of the word 'altered black' suggest that Adam's body at this stage had well-defined features, being sculpted without excess or sagging.
This shaping and molding of Adam's body left it to dry for a period of time known only to Allah before it reached the next stage, which is clay.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 716-718.
- Adam and Eve, Secrets and Facts, Abdel-Baqi, p. 36.
- Biography of Adam, peace be upon him, Al-Khalidi, p. 36.
- Interpretation of Surat Al-Hijr, Ahmed Nawfal, p. 190.
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:
