06 - Adam and Hawwa BOTH TEMPTED in “The Garden” - Ramadan Reflections 2023

03/31/23 • 9 min

Living The Quran Through The Living Quran

On the sixth day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Adam and Hawwa BOTH TEMPTED in “The Garden”." The event of Adam and Hawwa in the Garden is a unique event which is told in two different ways – the Old Testament of the Bible has one narrative while the Quran has the true narrative. The Bible clearly shows that the woman tempted the man – that is Eve tempted Adam – and so technically she is to blame for the downfall of the human being. However the Quran exonerates the woman and paints a radically different picture. In Chapter 7 (Sūrah al-Aʿrāf), Verses 19 to 22, the Quran details the event as such: (To Adam, He said): “O Adam! Dwell, you and your spouse, in the Garden, and eat (of the fruits) thereof where you desire, but do not approach this tree, or you will both be among the wrongdoers.” Then Satan made an evil suggestion to both of them that he might reveal to them their private parts that had remained hidden from them (and waken their carnal impulses), and he said: “Your Lord has forbidden you this tree only lest you should become sovereigns, or lest you should become immortals.” And he swore to them: “Truly, I am for you a sincere adviser.” Thus he led them on by delusion; and when they tasted the tree, their private parts (and all the apparently shameful, evil impulses in their creation) were revealed to them, and both began to cover themselves with leaves from the Garden. And their Lord called out to them: “Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and did I not say to you that Satan is a manifest enemy to you?” 7:19-22 If we study this verse carefully, especially by referring to the Arabic, we see a different picture than what is portrayed by the Bible.

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05 - Spiritual Status of Women and Men in Islam - Ramadan Reflections 2023

On the fifth day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Spiritual Status of Women and Men in Islam." We have seen that Islam regards the woman as being a creation of Allah and every much a human being as the man is. Today we wish to look at a general verse in terms of the spiritual status of both the woman and man. There are many verses of the Quran in this regard, and we will be reviewing other verses which are more specific later on. However for today, we look at a verse from Sūrah 3, Ale Imran, verse 195. Scholars note various reasons for why this verse was revealed, one opinion stating that Umm Salamah, one of the wives of the Prophet came to him and said that there are many verses in the Quran about the acts which men are rewarded for – jihad, migration, self-sacrifice, etc. however we wonder if women also share in these same rewards? In response, the verse which we wish to review today was revealed. In it, Allah says the following: "And thus does their (All-Gracious and Generous) Lord answer them: “I do not leave to waste the work of any of you (engaged in doing good), whether male or female. (As males and females following the same way) you are all one from the other. Hence, those who have emigrated (in My cause) and been expelled from their homelands and suffered hurt in My cause, and have fought and been killed, indeed I will blot out from them their evil deeds and will admit them into Gardens through which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah (with infinite Mercy and Power to fulfill whatever He promises).” With Allah lies the best reward. (3:195) The entire verse speaks to the question of Umm Salama and perhaps other women at the time of Prophet Muḥammad and even today.

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07 - Adam and Hawwa BOTH Repent to Allah - Ramadan Reflections 2023

On the seventh day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Adam and Hawwa BOTH Repent to Allah." Previously, we reviewed the episode which took place in the Garden in which Adam and Hawwa fell for the temptation of Satan and had to recognize that they went against the spiritual guidance of Allah. However, as we know, there is NEVER a dead-end with Allah. Allah has told us that we will make mistakes, we will sin, we will falter, but that He can forgive us – we just need to turn back to Him in tawbah and ask for His forgiveness – istighfār. In Sūrah al-Araf (7), Verses 23-25, we are told that once they realized their situation, Adam and Eve BOTH turned in repentance to Allah and made a sincere appeal for His forgiveness and said: "They said (straightaway): “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and do not have mercy on us, we will surely be among those who have lost!” He said: “Go down, (all of you,) (and henceforth you will live a life,) some of you being the enemies of the others. There shall be for you on the earth a habitation and provision until an appointed time.” He said: “You will live there, and there you will die, and from it you will be brought forth (on the Day of Resurrection).” These verses for today is not only a historical narrative but also a lesson for us – it teaches us how to engage with Allah when we commit sins. Thus, the first step in turning back to Allah is to acknowledge when we have done wrong.