Quran 2.1 — Adam, Equality, and the Meaning of Unity (2:35–46)

Quran 2:35-39

35 And We said, “O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.”

36 But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, “Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.”

37 Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful.

38 We said, “Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.

39 And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs – those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.” ^*

The Divine Program and the Beginning of Human Growth

The first humans were not capable of justice or accountability for their actions, as they were guided by a Divine program that established the conditions for the knowledge of darkness and light.

The descent to earth was not an accident, nor a punishment in the simplistic sense. It was the beginning of growth. Darkness and light were both necessary so that the soul could gain experience, discernment, and maturity. Only through the knowledge of both does the soul progress toward the Almighty. If it gains no knowledge and lives in vain, it returns to dust.

The earth is not a place of exile from a lost paradise. It is the womb of the universe, where souls are born and develop toward higher levels of existence.

Man and Woman: Equality in Creation

It is said that the man repented, but nothing is mentioned about the woman. In the Quran it is written: “And women have rights similar to their obligations, according to what is fair. But men have a degree over them.” (Sura 2:228)

The authors of the Quran did not correctly convey the truth of the Prophet on this point. They failed to distinguish between Allah’s true creation and the “creation” attributed to the false deity.

Allah, the Almighty, creates man and woman at the same time, making them equal. The false deity, on the contrary, “creates” man first and then the woman from his rib, establishing hierarchy and dependence from the very beginning.

By creating man and woman as equals, the Almighty establishes unity. This equality symbolizes harmony within the family, unity within society, and unity among the nations of the world.

Darkness, Light, and the Meaning of Destiny

Darkness and light are both under the authority of the Almighty. He allows acts of darkness and light so that souls may grow through the knowledge of both.

It is through this knowledge that spiritual progress becomes possible. Without growth, without discernment, without the development of conscience, the soul does not ascend. It returns to dust.

Is it truly possible that those who have sinned or strayed from the true path will burn in hell forever?

Hold your hand over a flame for a few seconds and imagine remaining in it eternally. After such reflection, can one truly believe that the Almighty has no absolute mercy or compassion?

On the Day of Judgment, immature souls will return to dust, not to fire. This return to dust is not punishment from the Almighty, but the consequence of a soul that refused to grow.

Conscience as the Voice of the Almighty

Listen to the voice of the Almighty — your conscience. It is through conscience that truth is distinguished from falsehood.

No one can meet the Almighty in a physical sense or see His form, for He exists everywhere in the universe at once. His presence is not confined to a place.

Those who falsify the Holy Scriptures promise a return to Allah’s dwelling place, yet no one has ever been there. The true dwelling of growth is here — in the conditions where the soul is tested and refined.

Love the Almighty, for He is absolutely merciful and just. This is the time of examination: to purify the scriptures from distortions and to fulfill the commandment of a united Ummah.

The theme of unity becomes even clearer in the following verses, where the question of covenant is addressed.

Quran 2:40–46 — Covenant and the Question of Chosenness

40 O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you and fulfill My covenant [upon you] that I will fulfill your covenant [from Me], and be afraid of [only] Me.

41 And believe in what I have sent down confirming that which is [already] with you, and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And do not exchange My signs for a small price, and fear [only] Me.

42 And do not mix the truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].

43 And establish prayer and give zakāh and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].

44 Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

45 And seek help through patience and prayer; and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allāh]

46 Who are certain that they will meet their Lord and that they will return to Him.

The False Deity and the Principle of Division

The false deity immediately places man and woman in unequal positions and introduces division as a governing principle.

In the Old Testament there are many examples where the false deity divides nations, gives one group the status of “chosen,” and orders them to kill and plunder others. Division, domination, and violence become normalized. Read more about it in this Commentary: Numbers 31 — Moses and the Sanctification of Violence

The path of the false deity leads to destruction. The path of the Almighty leads to unity and eternity.

Those who speak of a covenant between the Almighty and a specific people have no sacred knowledge. Such claims serve only to divide humanity into religions and confessions.

The Almighty always addresses all of humanity through His messengers. He does not turn to a single people, nor does He spread fear as a method of guidance.

The descent of Adam is not the story of punishment, but the beginning of responsibility. Equality, growth, and unity are the pillars of the Almighty’s teaching. Division belongs to the false system.

* The text of the Quran is quoted from the Surah Al-Baqarah – 1-286 – Quran.com (Translation by Saheeh International) ↑ back