Prostrate to Adam in Islam
This page will explore how the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light justifies the act of prostration towards their leader, Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq. Their justification stems from the Quranic account in which Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), as he was appointed the leader and vicegerent of the earth at that time. They argue that this act of prostration signifies obedience and reverence to divinely appointed figures, drawing parallels between Adam's leadership and their belief in the spiritual authority of their leader.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light interprets the angels' prostration as a broader precedent for showing submission to human leaders appointed by Allah. They claim that Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, being their divinely chosen leader, is deserving of similar acts of reverence. This page will critically analyze their interpretation of these Quranic verses, placing it in the context of mainstream Islamic views, which assert that prostration is an act of worship reserved exclusively for Allah and that the angels' prostration to Adam was a unique, divinely mandated event, not a precedent for prostrating to others. 📺 See the Video
Elaboration on the Command to Prostrate to Adam in Islam
The story of the angels being commanded to prostrate to Adam is a powerful and multi-layered event in Islamic theology. It underscores themes of obedience, the unique honor bestowed upon humanity, and the importance of submission to Allah's will. This narrative, however, is often misused by some to justify practices that Islam explicitly prohibits, such as prostration to beings other than Allah or attributing divinity to humans. A deeper understanding of the context, supported by the Qur'an and Sunnah, clarifies its true meaning and implications.
1. A Unique and Specific Command
The command for the angels to prostrate to Adam was a one-time, extraordinary directive, not a general instruction or permission. The Qur'an recounts this event:
وَإُذَقْ قُلَنَا لِلَّمَلَائِكُمُ اَسْجُدُوَ لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إَلَّا إِبْلِيسُ أَبَى وَاسْتَكِبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنْ الكَافِرِينَ.
"And [mention] when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate to Adam'; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers."
📔 (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:34)This act was a test of obedience, designed to distinguish the obedient angels from the rebellious Iblis. It marked the creation of Adam and his unique status as the first human and a vicegerent (khalifah) on Earth. The command was not a reflection of any inherent divinity in Adam but a demonstration of Allah's wisdom in His creation. Iblis's response highlights his arrogance and envy:
وَإُذَقْ قُلَنَا لِلَّمَلَائِكُمُ اَسْجُدُوَ لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إَلَّا إِبْلِيسُ. قَالَ أَأسَجُدُ لِمَن خَلِقَتَهُ مَن طِيَّنَ
And [mention] when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate to Adam,' and they prostrated, except for Iblis. He said, 'Should I prostrate to one You created from clay?'"
📔 (Surah Al-Isra, 17:61)His objection stemmed not from theological reasoning but from pride, as he perceived himself superior due to his origin from fire, compared to Adam’s creation from clay.
2. Prostration as Obedience, Not Worship
The prostration of the angels was an act of obedience to Allah, not an act of worship directed towards Adam. Islamic scholars, including Ibn Kathir, emphasize that the prostration was a gesture of respect and honor, explicitly commanded by Allah, not an indication of Adam's divinity. Ibn Kathir writes:
أَكَرَمَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ بَأْمَرَهُ المَلَائِكُمُ السَّجَوُدُ لِلسِجَوُدُ لَهُ. وَكَانَت هُذَهُ السَّجَوُدُ سَّجَوُدِ تَكَرِيَّمٌ وَتَحِيَّةٌ وَلَيّسُ سَّجَوُدِ عَبَّادٌ.
"Allah honored Adam by commanding the angels to prostrate to him. This prostration was one of respect and greeting, not of worship."
📔 (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)Worship in Islam is solely reserved for Allah. The Qur'an repeatedly stresses the exclusivity of worship:
"قل إنما أنا بشر مثلكم يوحى إلي أنما إلهكم إله واحد فمن كان يرجو لقاء ربه فليعمل عملا صالحا ولا يشرك بعبادة ربه أحدا"
Say, 'I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord—let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.'"
📔 (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:110)The angels’ prostration symbolized their acknowledgment of Allah’s supreme authority and wisdom in creating Adam, not any form of divinity attributed to Adam himself.
3. Abrogation of Prostration in Islamic Law
In earlier traditions, acts like prostration to others as a form of respect were permissible. However, Islamic law abrogated such practices, restricting prostration solely to Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated:
الإسلام يهدم ما قبله.
"Islam cancels out what came before it."
📔 (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 121)The Prophet further clarified the exclusivity of prostration in a hadith:
"لو كنت آمراً أحداً أن يسجد لأحد لأمرت المرأة أن تسجد لزوجها لما جعل الله لها من الحق، ولكن لا يسجد أحد لأحد".
"If I were to command anyone to prostrate to another, I would have commanded women to prostrate to their husbands due to the rights Allah has given over them. But no one may prostrate to another."
📔 (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1853)This hadith underscores that even in relationships deserving great respect, prostration is strictly prohibited, safeguarding the purity of worship in Islam.
4. Misinterpretation and Its Consequences
Misinterpreting the angels’ prostration to Adam to justify prostration to others or attributing divinity to humans is a grave error. Associating partners with Allah (shirk) is the gravest sin in Islam. The Qur'an warns:
"إن الله لا يغفر أن يشرك به ويغفر ما دون ذلك لمن يشاء ومن يشرك بالله فقد افترى إثما عظيما"
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin."
📔 (Surah An-Nisa, 4:48)Iblis’s refusal to prostrate serves as a lesson on the dangers of arrogance and disobedience. He arrogantly claimed:
"أنا خير منه خلقتني من نار وخلقته من طين"
"I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay."
📔 (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:12)This flawed logic highlights the importance of submission to Allah’s commands without questioning His wisdom.
5. The Islamic Stance on Prostration
With the finality of Islam, all acts of prostration are reserved for Allah alone. Prostration is a core component of Salah (prayer), an act of worship exclusively directed to Him:
"فصلِّ لربك وانحر"
"So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]."
📔 (Surah Al-Kawthar, 108:2)"أقم الصلاة لذكري."
"Establish prayer for My remembrance."
📔 (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:14Islamic scholars unanimously agree that prostration to anyone other than Allah is prohibited. Imam Nawawi asserts:
"السجود لغير الله محرم في شرعنا، سواء كان على سبيل العبادة أو مجرد التحية".
"Prostration to other than Allah is unlawful in our law, regardless of whether it is intended as worship or mere greeting."
📔 (Al-Majmu' Sharh al-Muhadhdhab)Conclusion
The angels’ prostration to Adam was a unique, divinely commanded act with specific purposes: honoring Adam, testing obedience, and demonstrating Allah’s authority. It does not set a precedent for prostration to beings other than Allah. Islam unequivocally prohibits such practices, emphasizing that all forms of worship, including prostration, belong solely to Allah. By adhering to the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah, Muslims uphold the purity of Tawheed (monotheism) and avoid misinterpretations that lead to theological errors.