Translation
(God said): “O Adam, enjoy life in Heaven with your wife and partake of anything it has to offer, but do not approach this tree lest you commit an act of injustice (against yourselves).” But the Devil whispered to them otherwise to expose to them their sense of shame and evil that was hitherto unknown to them and said: “Your Cherisher God forbade this tree lest you become Angels and be of the immortals.” He then swore to them: “I am an honest adviser to you (both).”
This is how he (the Devil) caused them to fall from grace by his deceit. So once they had tasted from the tree, they became aware of their nakedness, and they began to cover themselves with leaves from the garden. (God) called out to them: “Did I not forbid you about this tree and also say to you that the Devil is an enemy always ready (to act against your interest)?” They both replied: “O, Our Sustainer God, we have wronged ourselves; unless you forgive us and show mercy on us, we both will be among those who have lost their way.” 362
God said: “Go forth (to the earth), some of you adversaries of others. On the earth you will have your living quarters and your livelihood for a time. It is here that you will live, it is here that you will die, and from here you will be raised (on the Day of Resurrection).”
O Children of Adam (and Eve): We (God) have enabled you to fabricate clothing with which to cover your shame (unlike other animals) and to beautify yourself, but the best of clothing is consciousness and a sense of duty [taqwa]. Such is the message from God so that you become mindful. O Children of Adam (and Eve): Do not let the Devil deceive you as he caused your parents (Adam and Eve) to be expelled from Heaven [Jannah: garden of peace] and removed their garments (physical and spiritual) to expose their shamefulness (nakedness). The Devil and his hosts can see you, whereas you are (at times) unable to see or perceive them. We (God) have made the Devil (and all your evil thoughts and acts) aligned with those who deny faith in God (and in goodness).
When such people commit an indecent (and unjust) act, they say: “We found our forefathers doing the same, and God has prescribed us to do it (as well).” Say (to them): “God never prescribes indecency (and unjust acts)! Do you ascribe to God something that you have no basis for (no knowledge of)?” Say (to them): “My Cherisher God only commands what is just and what is right. Devote yourself wholeheartedly in every act of worship of God, and seek his blessing with sincerity, and be true to His guidance. (Remember that) He is the One Who brought you into existence, and to Him you will return.”
A group He (God) has guided but another group strayed from guidance as a consequence of what they did—they preferred the Devil, instead of God, as their guardian in life, and they think they are on the right track. O Children of Adam (and Eve): Conduct yourself most beautifully in every act of worship, partake freely in every nourishment (God had provided), and be measured in your consumptions. God does not like those who are wasteful. 363
Interpretation
362 The story of Adam and Eve is repeated several times in the Qur’an, along with the story of their destined life on this planet. They were endowed with knowledge and understanding that even the Angels were not privy to or endowed with. With that knowledge came the obligation to be actively conscious of their responsibility toward each other, toward God, and to the world around them and to make informed and sound choices with their God-given freedom. The tree represents a token of what was to come and how to exercise our free will, and the Devil represents all the evil inclinations within us and the source of evil temptations and counsel from outside. The failure of Adam and Eve to follow God’s guidance, to doubt His instruction, to fall prey to the Devil’s deception and their subsequent forgiveness by God due to their genuine and timely remorse are all things that will be played out in each of our lives on this planet.
363 The presence on this planet is transient, as we all know. “We are from God, and to Him we all return” (2:156) is the central truth of our existence on this planet, as is also confirmed in these verses when God told Adam and Eve to descend to earth, where they would find provisions for life and a fixed term to fulfill. Along with that destination came instructions and guidance on how to navigate and fulfill the commitment that God took from us to use our knowledge and consciousness. Clothing that we wear to protect and beautify ourselves is a physical gift from God, but more important is the gift of knowledge and consciousness (taqwa), which is a spiritual gift to sustain our moral, ethical, and human imperatives in our individual lives and collective society. This inner gift gets exposed and becomes evident only through education, reflection and retrospection, devotion to truth and the realities of this universe, and a sustained effort to connect with God and fellow humans. A proper balance in our physical existence and consumption with our spiritual commitment to God and human dignity is the real intent as well as a test that we will need to fulfil and pass as individuals and as communities all over the world.
***
REFLECTION
Storytelling is a central element in all Books of Revelations. We as human beings are deeply connected to the common human stories and human conditions that we can innately experience within us, especially the story of Adam and Eve, who represent the beginning as well as the essence of our human existence. Being conscious of our story, our origin, our purpose in life, and our covenant with the Creator God is essential to a successful life journey.
ACTION
In one of his famous prayers, the Prophet Mohammad implored God to increase his knowledge. But at the same time, he also asked God to keep him away from knowledge that did not benefit anyone. By this he was not saying that he wanted to shy away from knowledge but, rather, he wanted to understand the implications and responsibilities that come with knowledge—that is, every gift of knowledge should be directed to benefit human beings and uplift human conditions on this planet.
__________________________
Key Arabic terms
109: sawatihima (of their shame or nakedness)
110: khasirin (loser, or to be lost)
111: rishan (bird’s plumage, feathers that beautify)
112: quist (what is right, what is just)