Section 1: Their Virtues, Etymologies, Creation, and the Inquiry of the Angels
The Divine Revelation and the Angels’ Inquiry
God Almighty said:
“And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successor,’ they said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we exalt You with praise and declare Your holiness?’ He said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’ And He taught Adam all the names, then presented them to the angels and said, ‘Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.’ They said, ‘Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’ He said, ‘O Adam, inform them of their names.’ And when he informed them of their names, He said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know the unseen aspects of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you conceal.'” — [Quran 2:30–33]
Commentary on Divine Stewardship (Khilafah)
A successor (khalifah) refers to one who acts as an agent or deputy on behalf of another (where the added letter “ha” serves as grammatical emphasis). This verse—and others with similar import—indicates that the foundational purpose behind the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) was for him to act as a vicegerent on Earth, succeeding the species of Jinn who inhabited it prior to him.
His ultimate purpose was not merely to remain in Paradise. Had his descent to Earth been predestined through honor rather than hardship, it would have been more fitting for him to descend in a state of glory—accompanied by his wife, adorned in heavenly garments, and escorted by prostrating angels.
The statement of the angels (“Will You place therein…?”) was expressed out of astonishment, not objection. They wondered why a steward appointed to cultivate and reform the Earth would be drawn from a species prone to corruption, or they sought to understand the divine wisdom behind allowing such corruption, thereby dispelling their own uncertainty. Their inquiry was neither an objection against God nor a backbiting slander against the descendants of Adam—nor was it spoken in secret. The angels are far too exalted and pure to commit such indiscretions.
The angels acquired this foresight through one of three means:
- Direct divine revelation.
- Inscription upon the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh al-Mahfuz).
- Analogical deduction based on the past behavior of prior earthly inhabitants (the Jinn).
Their statement, “while we exalt You with praise,” served to clarify their own state of constant obedience.
The Three Human Faculties
Scholars note that the angels understood that the designated steward possessed three primary faculties:
- The Appetitive Faculty: Drives earthly desires.
- The Irascible Faculty: Leads to anger, conflict, and bloodshed.
- The Intellectual Faculty: Calls toward wisdom, knowledge, and obedience.
Considering the appetitive and irascible faculties in isolation, the angels could not initially perceive why wisdom would necessitate such a creation. However, they overlooked the transformative potential of these faculties when disciplined, refined, and guided by intellect—yielding rare virtues such as chastity and courage. Furthermore, they did not foresee that the synthesis of these faculties enables humanity to perceive individual particulars and extract potential resources into actualized benefits—the core essence of earthly stewardship.
As for God teaching Adam “all the names,” this was accomplished either by embedding innate cognitive capacity within him or by directly inspiring his mind. When the angels admitted their limitation (“We have no knowledge except what You have taught us”), they acknowledged that Divine Wisdom distributes knowledge selectively, entrusting Adam with details not granted to the angels.
Narrations on the Creation and Names of Adam and Eve
Etymologies of “Adam” and “Eve” (Hawwa)
- Al-Saduq narrated with his chain of transmission back to Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him):“Adam was named so because he was created from the surface (Adim) of the Earth.”
- Al-Saduq added: The fourth layer of the Earth is called Adim; because Adam was fashioned from it, he was named accordingly.
- Imam al-Sadiq also stated:“Eve (Hawwa) was named so because she was derived from a living being (Hayy)—meaning Adam.”
Note: External philological opinions suggest “Adam” may be a non-derived foreign name (similar to Azar), or derived from al-adma (dark complexion), or al-adm (affinity and harmony).
The Composition of the Clay
Al-Saduq narrated from Ibn Sallam that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) was asked:
“Was Adam created from a single type of clay or from all types?”
The Prophet replied: “Rather, from all types of clay. Had he been created from a single type, people would not recognize one another; they would all share the exact same appearance.”
Because the Earth contains white, black, reddish, sweet, and salty soils, human beings exhibit diverse skin tones, temperaments, and characteristics.
The Four Waters and Four Humors
In a narration from Imam Ali (peace be upon him), God dispatched Gabriel to gather four distinct clays (white, red, gray, and black) and four types of water:
- Fresh water: Placed in the throat to make food enjoyable.
- Salty water: Placed in the eyes to preserve the delicate fatty tissue.
- Bitter water: Placed in the ears as a protective barrier against insects entering the brain.
- Foul-smelling water: Placed in the nose to facilitate respiratory drainage.
As noted in Tawhid al-Mufaddal, the bitterness in the ears acts as a natural defense mechanism that neutralizes organisms attempting to penetrate the cranial cavity.
Philosophical and Historical Commentary
The Elements of Human Nature vs. Iblis
Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) explained that Satan (Iblis) relied on faulty analogy when he claimed superiority: “You created me from fire, and created him from clay.” Had Iblis understood the complex synthesis God embedded in Adam, he would not have boasted.
God integrated four fundamental elements into Adam’s physical form—Light, Fire, Air, and Water:
- Light: Enables vision, reason, and comprehension.
- Fire: Powers digestion within the stomach.
- Air (Wind): Kindles the digestive fire.
- Water: Regulates internal heat, preventing internal combustion.
The Four Humors and Human Behavior
The physical clay of Adam was imbued with four internal humors, each influencing human traits:
- Blood: Linked to physical desires and earthly pleasures.
- Phlegm: Associated with appetite, forbearance, gentleness, and piety.
- Yellow Bile: Associated with anger, haste, impulsiveness, and pride.
- Wind/Spirit: Linked to long-term ambition, affection, and desire.
Historical Narrations and Celestial Events
- The Inscription on Adam’s Ring: Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) noted that Adam’s ring was inscribed with: “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” He descended with it from Paradise.
- Honorific Names: The inhabitants of Paradise do not use agnomens (kunyah), except for Adam, who is called Abu Muhammad out of honor and respect.
- The Creation of Eve: Imam al-Baqir (peace be upon him) refuted the notion that Eve was created from Adam’s left rib, calling it a misconception. He clarified that God created Adam from a portion of clay, and created Eve from the remaining leftover clay.