Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam (AS) as a mark of respect and honor, not as an act of worship. Worship is reserved for Allah alone, and the prostration in this context symbolized the recognition of Adam’s elevated status as the first human and the one chosen to be Allah’s vicegerent (Khalifah) on Earth.
This act also demonstrated the knowledge and wisdom Allah bestowed upon Adam, which surpassed that of the angels, as highlighted in the Quran:
“And He taught Adam the names—all of them. Then He presented them to the angels and said, ‘Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.’ They said, ‘Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.'”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:31-32)
The prostration was a command from Allah to show the angels and all creation the honor given to Adam due to his unique qualities, such as knowledge and the ability to make choices. It also highlighted the importance of obedience to Allah’s commands, regardless of personal understanding or reasoning.
The refusal of Iblis to obey this command exposed his arrogance and disobedience, leading to his downfall. This event serves as a lesson for humanity about the dangers of pride and the importance of submitting to Allah’s will.
#prophet #pbuh #told #stories #angels #akin #previous #prophets
