The Creation of Human Beings and the Responsibilities of the Believer
The Difference Between Humans, Angels, and Jinn
Surah Shams, Verse 7
And by the soul and He who shaped it
وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوّٰيهَاۙۖ
And the soul and He who shaped it
Surah al-Shams, Verse 8
Then He inspired it (the soul) with its wickedness and its piety.
فَاَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوٰيهَاۙۖ
So He inspired it with its wickedness and its piety
Surah Ash-Shams, Verse 9
Whoever purifies it (the soul) has indeed succeeded
دْ اَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكّٰيهَاۙۖ
Kad efleha men zekkaha.
Surah Ash-Shams, Verse 10
But whoever buries his soul in darkness is lost.
And indeed, he has failed who has buried it in darkness.
And indeed, he has failed who has buried it.
In the relevant verses of Surah al-Shams, Almighty Allah states that when shaping the human soul, He first developed its fucur (Id—the lower self) and then its taqwa (Superego—the higher self), which is a great miracle that aligns perfectly with the sequence of brain development as understood by science.
Current science shows that the self (ego) emerges from the synthesis of the Id (Fucur) and the Superego (Takva). The Id (Fucur) is the source of pleasure-based desires; it is the most primitive aspect of the self that disregards moral rules, located in the lower layers of the human brain—the amygdala, basal ganglia, and hippocampus. Its instinctual traits are predominant, and it lacks qualities such as virtue and conscience. The superego (Takva), on the other hand, defends virtue and moral values and is in conflict with the id. It is associated in the higher layers of the human brain, in structures such as the orbitofrontal cortex, ventromedial frontal cortex, and prefrontal cortex.
In the course of human evolution, we observe that in the species that preceded Homo sapiens (such as Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and Homo neanderthalensis), only the id was active, while the superego—that is, the higher layers of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex—had not yet developed. From the Qur’an, we understand that these human precursor species lacked moral values and shed much blood, as evidenced by the angels’ witnessing of these events. (Surah al-Baqarah, verse 30)
Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 30
Remember when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to appoint a vicegerent on earth.” The angels said, “Will You appoint someone who will cause corruption and shed blood on earth? Yet we glorify You and praise You.” Allah said, “I know what you do not know.”
And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I will appoint a vicegerent on earth.” They said, “Will You place upon it one who will cause corruption therein and shed blood?”while we glorify You with praise and sanctify You?” He said, “Indeed, I know what you do not know.”
In verses 9 and 10 of Surah Shams, the Exalted Allah declares that those who bring forth piety—that is, virtue—will succeed, while those who bury or suppress it will fail. He highlights the conflict between the two, noting that the outcome will either elevate or degrade the individual. At this point, the Qur’an demonstrates a perfect parallel with scientific findings, presenting the sequence of events in the light of this evidence: first, the lower self—the id— and then the development of the prefrontal cortex—as the sequence in which piety emerges: first, vice, then the inspiration of piety—in the correct order in Surah Shams, verse 8, thereby miraculously revealing this truth. In this way, Almighty Allah has elevated humankind to the level of Homo sapiens and made them vicegerents (replacing other preceding human species). The Almighty Allah declared that He would create man as a person of piety and that he (Homo sapiens) would not be like his bloodthirsty, primitive human predecessors, stating, “I know what you do not know.”
Surah Shams, Verse 9
Whoever purifies his soul—whoever elevates his piety—has indeed succeeded
دْ اَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكّٰيهَاۙۖ
Kad efleha men zekkaha.
Surah al-Shams, Verse 10
But whoever buries his soul in darkness—who suppresses his piety—is lost.
And indeed, he has failed who has buried it.
And indeed, he has failed who has buried it.
The jinn and Iblis lack piety and are prone to wickedness, while the angels are free from wickedness—they possess only piety and are wise. Almighty Allah created humankind with both piety and wickedness and commanded that piety prevail. Those whose piety prevails will succeed, while those whose wickedness prevails will fail (Shams 9–10).
When our Lord created humankind, humankind also learned the manifestation of His Names. The reason humankind is superior to the angels is their ability to learn. Humankind has counted the Names of the Exalted Allah and borne witness to His attribute of Subhan.
Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 31
Allah taught Adam all the names. Then He presented them to the angels and said, “If you are truthful, tell Me the names of these.”
وَعَلَّمَ اٰدَمَ الْاَسْمَٓاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ اَنْبِؤُ۫ن۪ي بِاَسْمَٓاءِ هٰٓؤُ۬لَٓاءِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِق۪in
And He taught Adam all the names; then He presented them to the angels and said, “Tell Me the names of these, if you are truthful.”
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 32
The angels said, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing.”
They said, “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
Kalu subhaneke la ilme lena illa ma allemtena inneke entel alimul hakim
In verses 28 of Surah Al-Baqarah and 11 of Surah Al-Mu’min, Allah states that before creating humanity in this universe, humankind lived in another paradise-like universe, where they did not feel hunger, thirst, or the burning of their skin (Surah Taha, verses 118–119). Our Lord states in the Qur’an that in that paradisiacal universe, humans could reproduce and existed as males and females, yet they were still mortal.
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 28
How can you disbelieve in Allah? He brought you into being when you were dead; then He will cause you to die, and then He will bring you back to life and return you to Him.
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللّٰهِ وَكُنْتُمْ اَمْوَاتاً فَاَحْيَاكُمْۚ ثُمَّ يُم۪يتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْي۪يكُمْ ثُمَّ اِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Keyfe tekfurune billahi ve kuntum emvaten fe ahyakum, summe yumitukum summe yuhyikum summe ileyhi turceun.
“emvaten” means “the dead.” In this verse, Almighty Allah states that before being brought to life on this planet and in this universe, we lived and died in another universe or dimension. Then we will die in this world as well and be resurrected again in the Hereafter.
Surah Al-Muminun, Verse 11
They said, “Our Lord! You have caused us to die twice and brought us back to life twice. We have now confessed our sins. Is there any way out of this situation?”
قَالُوا رَبَّنَٓا اَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ وَاَحْيَيْتَنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ فَاعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ اِلٰى خُرُوجٍ مِنْ سَب۪يلٍ
Kalu rabbena emettenesneteyni ve ahyeytenesneteyni fa’terefna bi zunubina fe hel ila hurucin min sebil.
In this verse as well, Almighty Allah states that a person dies twice and is resurrected twice. The verb “emettena” (you caused us to die) is in the past tense. It refers to the absolute act of causing the death of a being that was previously alive.
Surah Taha, Verse 118
“There you will neither go hungry nor be left naked.”
Indeed, you will neither go hungry nor be exposed to the elements there.
Inna laka ella tecua fiha wa la ta’ra
Surah Taha, Verse 119
“You will not be thirsty there, nor will you be harmed by the heat.”
And that you will not be thirsty there, nor will you be scorched
And indeed, you will neither be thirsty nor suffer from the heat there
Although we may not remember it now, the Qur’an—whose name is “Zikr” (reminder)—tells us that each of us made a pledge to Almighty Allah before coming into this world, that a covenant was made, and that we were informed about the battle against Satan; let’s see how it reminds us and just how serious the situation is.
From the relevant verses I have cited, we understand that before humans began living in the second heavenly realm, they made a misak—that is, a covenant—with Almighty Allah:
Before we were born, we made a covenant with Almighty Allah; we trusted in ourselves and made a promise.
VERSES ON MISAQ (COVENANT) AND AHID
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 172
So that on the Day of Resurrection you may not say, “We were unaware of this.” Your Lord took the descendants of the children of Adam from their backs and made them bear witness against themselves. He said, “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes, You are our Lord; we bear witness.”
And [remember] when your Lord took from the descendants of Adam—from their backs—their offspring and made them testify against themselves: “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes, we testify.”that you might not say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘We were indeed unaware of this.’
And when your Lord took from the children of Adam—from their backs—their descendants and made them bear witness against themselves, “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes.” They bore witness, so that you may not say on the Day of Resurrection, “Indeed, we were unaware of this.”
Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 7
Remember the favor of Allah upon you and the covenant He made with you when you said, “We hear and we obey.” Fear Allah. Indeed, Allah knows well what is in the hearts.
And remember the favor of Allah upon you and His covenant with which He bound you when you said, “We hear and we obey.” And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of what is in the hearts.
Vezkuru ni’metellahi aleykum ve misakahullezi vasekakum bihi iz kultum semi’na ve ata’na vettekullah innallahe alimun bizatis sudur.
Surah Al-Imran, Verse 76
No! Whoever fulfills his promise and is righteous—indeed, Allah loves those who are righteous.
Indeed, whoever fulfills his covenant and is God-fearing—then surely Allah loves those who are God-fearing.
Bela men evfa bi ahdihi vetteka fe innallahe yuhibbul muttekin.
Surah Al-Imran, Verse 81
Remember when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets: “I have given you the Scripture and Wisdom; now, when a Messenger comes to you confirming what is with you, you must certainly believe in him and support him.” “Do you accept this? Have you undertaken this important duty?” He asked. “We accept,” they said. Allah said, “Then bear witness—and I, too, am among those who bear witness with you.”
And [remember] when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets, saying, “I have given you the Scripture and Wisdom; then, when a Messenger comes to you confirming what is with you, you must believe in it and you must certainly support him.” He said, “Have you agreed and taken upon yourselves this covenant?” They said, “We have agreed.” He said, “Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.”
And when Allah took a covenant from the Prophets, saying, “I have given you a Book and wisdom; then a Messenger will come to you confirming what is with you—so you must believe in him and support him,” He said, “Have you agreed to this and taken a solemn pledge regarding it?” They said, “We have agreed.” He said, “Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.”
In verses 7 of Surah Al-Ahzab and 81 of Surah Al-Imran, the term “misak” is used in the Qur’an to refer to the covenant made by the Exalted Allah with the Prophets; the same term is also used for the covenant made between people and the Exalted Allah in verse 27 of Surah Al-Baqarah and verse 8 of Surah Al-Hadid. and Surah Ar-Rad, verse 20. In other words, each of us has made a pledge to Almighty Allah; even if some people now deny it, forget it, or reject it.
Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 7
Remember when We took a firm pledge from the Prophets—and from you, from Noah, from Abraham, from Moses, and from Jesus, the son of Mary—We took a firm pledge from all of them.
وَاِذْ اَخَذْنَا مِنَ النَّبِيّ۪نَ م۪يثَاقَهُمْ وَمِنْكَ وَمِنْ نُوحٍ وَاِبْرٰه۪يمَ وَمُوسٰى وَع۪يسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَۖ وَاَخَذْنَا مِنْهُمْ م۪يثَاقاً غَلstrict one.
And [remember] when We took a covenant from the prophets—and from you, and from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus, the son of Mary—and We took from them a solemn covenant.
Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 27
Those are the ones who break Allah’s covenant after having made it. They sever their ties with what Allah has commanded them to uphold, and they spread corruption on earth. It is they who are the losers.
Those who break Allah’s covenant after having made it, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and spread corruption on earth—those are the losers.
Those who break the covenant of Allah after having made it, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and spread corruption on earth—those are the losers.
Surah Ar-Rad, Verse 20
They fulfill their covenant with Allah and do not break the covenant.
Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the covenant,
Ellezine yufune bi ahdillahi ve la yenkudunel misak.
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 177
Turning your faces toward the east or the west is not righteousness. The righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give generously to relatives, orphans, the needy, the homeless, the beggars, and to free the slaves; observe prayer, pay zakat, and keep their promises when they make them; and they stand firm against hardship, distress, and oppression. They are the righteous, and they are the virtuous.
Righteousness is not merely turning your faces toward the east or the west, but rather, righteousness is for one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the, and the Prophets; and who gives wealth—despite his love for it—to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask, and for the liberation of slaves; and who establishes prayer and paid the zakat. And those who fulfill their covenants when they make them. And those who are patient in adversity, hardship, and during battle—those are the ones who are truthful; and those are the God-fearing.
Righteousness is not merely turning your faces toward the east or the west; rather, righteousness is for those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Scripture, and the Prophets; and who spend their wealth—out of love for Him—on their relatives, orphans, the needy, travelers, and those who ask for help; and who free slaves; and who establish prayer and pay zakat; and those who fulfill their covenants when they make them, and those who are patient in times of hardship and adversity—it is these who are truthful, and these are the God-fearing.
Surah Hadid, Verse 8
What is the matter with you that you do not believe in Allah? Yet the Messenger is calling you to believe in your Lord. Allah had already taken a pledge from you. If you are going to believe, then believe now!
And why do you not believe in Allah? The Messenger calls you to believe in your Lord, and He has already taken your covenant—if you are believers.
Ve ma lekum la tu’minune billah, ver resulu yed’ukum li tu’minu bi rabbikum ve kad e haze misakakum in kuntum mu’minin.
Surah Rad, Verse 25
As for those who break their covenant with Allah after having made it binding, and those who do not uphold what Allah has commanded to be upheld, and those who spread corruption on earth—upon them is a curse, and the worst abode is theirs.
And those who break the covenant of Allah after having confirmed it, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and spread corruption on earth—such people—upon them is the curse, and theirs is the worst abode.
And those who break the covenant of Allah after having made it, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and spread corruption on earth—those are the ones upon whom is the curse, and for them is the worst abode.
Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 13
We have cursed them for breaking their covenants and have hardened their hearts. They twist the words from their contexts and forget to benefit from what they have been advised, and you will always see them betraying their trust—except for a few among them. Still, turn away from them and pay no heed to what they do. Indeed, Allah loves those who do good.
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِمْ م۪يثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةًۚ يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَنْ مَوَاضِعِه۪ۙ وَنَسُوا حَظاًّ مِمَّا ذُكِّرُوا بِه۪ۚ وَلَا تَYou will continue to find treachery among them, except for a few of them; so forgive them and overlook their faults. Indeed, Allah loves those who do good.
But because they broke their covenant, We cursed them and hardened their hearts; they distort the words from their proper meanings, and they have forgotten a portion of what they were reminded of; and you will continue to find treachery among them—except for a few of them—so forgive them and overlook their faults; indeed, Allah loves those who do good.
The key point to note in these verses is that these covenants are not agreements between people (due to war, etc.), but rather direct covenants (misak) made with Allah.
In the covenant (Misak), a person pledges to Allah, the Exalted, that he will never associate partners with Him, that he will be God-fearing, that he will abide by the covenant, and that he will never follow Satan. Allah, the Exalted, commands that humans prostrate before Him; all the angels obey this command, but Iblis refuses to prostrate out of arrogance.
Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 34
Then We said to the angels, “Prostrate yourselves before Adam.” They all prostrated themselves immediately, except Iblis. He turned away and was arrogant. He was among the disbelievers.
وَاِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلٰٓئِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِاٰدَمَ فَسَجَدُٓوا اِلَّٓا اِبْل۪يسَۜ اَبٰى وَاسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْكَافِر۪ينَ
And [remember] when We said to the angels, “Prostrate yourselves before Adam,” and they prostrated themselves—except for Iblis; he refused and was arrogant, and he was among the disbelievers.
Iblis is of the jinn; he is wicked and is not an angel. He was created before humans. He was created from fire without smoke. He has a lineage; like humans, they reproduce and multiply, and they live in a different dimension. We understand from the Qur’an that Iblis’s arrogance surpasses even his fear of Allah; by the nature of his creation, Iblis is devoid of piety. He considered the smokeless fire superior to matter, regarded his earlier creation as a reason for superiority, and saw himself as superior. Upon this, Almighty Allah cast Iblis out of His presence, humiliating him and expelling him from the realm/Paradise where he lived.
Satan, having been expelled from His presence, asks Almighty Allah for a chance to prove that he is superior to humans and claims that he will deceive most of humanity—who, by the nature of their creation, should possess piety. He challenges humanity.
What does it mean for Satan to sit on the Straight Path?
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 16
“Because of your misguidance, I will sit on Your Straight Path for them,” he said.
قَالَ فَبِمَٓا اَغْوَيْتَن۪ي لَاَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَق۪يمَۙ
Kale fe bima agveyteni le ak’udenne lehum sıratekel mustekim
“Sıratekel müstakim”—that is, the straight path—refers to the Qur’an. With these words, Satan declared that he would do everything in his power to prevent people from approaching the Qur’an.
Surah Al-Hajj, Verse 54
It is so that those who have been given knowledge may know that it is the truth from their Lord, believe in it, and find peace in their hearts. Allah is the One who guides the believers to the straight path.
وَلِيَعْلَمَ الَّذ۪ينَ اُو۫تُوا الْعِلْمَ اَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ فَيُؤْمِنُوا بِه۪ فَتُخْبِتَ لَهُ قُلُوبُهُمْۜ وَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَهَادِ الَّذ۪ينَ اٰمَنُٓوا to a straight path.
And so that those who have been given knowledge may know that this is the truth from your Lord, and thus believe in it, and their hearts may be at peace with it; and indeed, Allah has guided those who believe to the straight path.
The “straight path” mentioned by Almighty Allah in verse 22:54 is the path of the Qur’an—the path shown by Almighty Allah to those who possess knowledge.
Satan’s sitting on the straight path is a very painful trial for humanity. Verses that remind us of this trial: Surah Al-Jinn, verses 15, 16, and 17. In the verse immediately preceding verse 16—where the trial is mentioned—it is stated that by following the straight path, that is, the Qur’an, a person will receive their reward; in other words, the straight path (the Qur’an) and Iblis stand in opposition to one another.
Our sole reliance is the one and only Qur’an; our sole helper and the only Being to whom we can turn for help is Almighty Allah. Both our own selves and the material world and the universe are filled with evidence (the signs of Almighty Allah). A person must seek Allah with a pure heart, and must not succumb to arrogance, for arrogance is a distinct trait of Satan; it was because of his arrogance that Satan refused to prostrate before humanity. Satan approaches with false counsel; his “sitting on the straight path” ( ) is his act of confusing people’s minds and leading them to associate partners with Almighty Allah—which leads those who fall for his tricks to Hell. May Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, protect us all.
Surah Al-Jinn, Verse 15
Those who are defiant and wrong themselves—they are the fuel of Hell.
وَاَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَباًۙ
Surah Al-Jinn, Verse 16
If only they had walked uprightly on the path, We would certainly have given them abundant water;
وَاَنْ لَوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّر۪يقَةِ لَاَسْقَيْنَاهُمْ مَٓاءً غَدَقاًۙ
Surah Al-Jinn, Verse 17
We would have tested them with these blessings. Whoever turns away from his Lord’s guidance (the Qur’an), He will subject him to a most severe punishment.
To test them thereby. And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord—He will subject him to a severe punishment.
Both Iblis and humanity accepted the covenant; Almighty Allah granted the devil a reprieve; the devil, from a different dimension, whispered to humanity in the first universe (this universe is the one that existed before the Big Bang) by drawing mankind near to the tree that Almighty Allah had forbidden, deceiving them with the lie that they would become immortal, and succeeded in causing mankind to be expelled from the first Paradise, as Almighty Allah decreed in the verses.
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 35
We said, “O Adam! Dwell in Paradise with your wife. Eat freely from whatever you wish there. But do not approach this tree; otherwise, you will have committed an injustice.”
وَقُلْنَا يَٓا اٰدَمُ اسْكُنْ اَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَداً حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَاۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِم۪ينَ
And We said, “O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise, and eat from it in abundance wherever you wish; but do not approach this tree, lest you become among the wrongdoers.”
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 20
Then Satan whispered to them to reveal their sins to them. “Your Lord has forbidden you this tree so that you may not become kings or be among those who remain forever,” he said.
So Satan whispered to them to reveal to them what had been concealed from them regarding their private parts, and he said, “Your Lord has forbidden you this tree only so that you might not become angels or to be among the immortal ones.
So Satan whispered to them to reveal to them what had been concealed from them regarding their private parts, and he said, “Your Lord has not forbidden you from this tree except that you might become angels or be among the immortal ones.”
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 21
And he swore to them, “I truly wish only your well-being.”
And he swore to them, “Indeed, I am one of your sincere advisors.”
And He swore to them, “Indeed, I am truly one of your well-wishers.”
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 22
Thus, he deceived and led them astray. When they tasted from the tree, their nakedness became apparent. They began to cover themselves by piling the leaves of Paradise on top of one another. Their Lord called out to them, “Did I not forbid you from that tree? Did I not tell you that Satan is a clear enemy to you?”
So he led them astray with deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their private parts became visible to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. And their Lord called out to them, “Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you both that Satan is indeed a clear enemy to you both?”
So Satan deceived them; and when the tree became visible to them, their shame became apparent to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Then their Lord called out to them, “Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you, ‘Indeed, Satan is a clear enemy to you both’?”
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 23
“‘O our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers,’ they said.”
They said, “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers.”
Kala rabbena zalemna enfusena ve in lem tagfirlena ve terhamna le nekunenne minel hasirin.
Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 37
Then Adam received words from his Lord. Thus, He accepted Adam’s repentance. Indeed, He is the Acceptor of Repentance, the Ever-Merciful.
So Adam received words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, He is the Acceptor of Repentance, the Most Merciful.
Fe telekka ademu min rabbihi kelimatin fe tabe aleyh, innehu huvet tevvabur rahim
Every human being has departed from the first Paradise through death; humanity has not kept the oath it made to Almighty Allah and has not remained faithful to its covenant. Consequently, unfortunately, Satan won the first battle.
Since the Arabic grammar in these verses uses the plural form, we understand that this refers not only to Adam and his wife (the name “Eve” is not mentioned in the Qur’an) but to all people living on earth who were expelled from the Paradise realm. Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 38.
Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 38
“We said, ‘Descend from there, all of you together.’ When guidance comes to you from Me, there will be no fear for those who follow that guidance, nor will they grieve.”
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَم۪يعاًۚ فَاِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنّ۪ي هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Kulnahbitu minha cemia, fe imma ye’tiyennekum minni hudenfe men tebia hudaye fe la havfun aleyhim ve la hum yahzenun.
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 24
“Go down, some of you being enemies to others,” He said. “You have a place of settlement and sustenance on earth for a specified time,” He said.
He said, “Descend, some of you as enemies to others. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and sustenance for a time.”
He said, “Go down, some of you as enemies to others; and for you on earth is a place of settlement and provision for a time.”
Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 25
Say: “You will live there, you will die there, and you will be brought forth from it.”
He said: “In it you will live, in it you will die, and from it you will be brought forth.”
He said, “In it you will live, in it you will die, and from it you will be brought forth.”
From verses 37–38 of Surah al-Baqarah and verses 24–25 of Surah al-A’raf, we understand that all created human beings repent before Adam, peace be upon him. Almighty Allah, in His mercy, accepted their repentance and resurrected us once again on planet Earth; that is, we were all defeated by Satan in our first life, and this is our second and final chance.
The Almighty Allah created the universe in which we live through His attribute of Subhan—which manifests all His names—and His Sunnatullah, and the second battle against Satan has begun. This is humanity’s second resurrection and the final chance for humankind.
Verses 28 of Surah Al-Baqarah and 11 of Surah Al-Muminun point to this matter.
Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 28
How can you disbelieve in Allah? He brought you into being when you were dead; then He will cause you to die, and then He will bring you back to life and return you to Him.
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللّٰهِ وَكُنْتُمْ اَمْوَاتاً فَاَحْيَاكُمْۚ ثُمَّ يُم۪يتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْي۪يكُمْ ثُمَّ اِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Keyfe tekfurune billahi ve kuntum emvaten fe ahyakum, summe yumitukum summe yuhyikum summe ileyhi turceun.
Surah Al-Muminun, Verse 11
They said, “Our Lord! You have caused us to die twice and brought us to life twice. Now we have confessed our sins. Is there any way out of this situation?”
They said, “Our Lord, You caused us to die twice and brought us to life twice. We have now confessed our sins. Is there any way out of this?”
They said, “Our Lord, You have caused us to die twice and brought us back to life twice. We have confessed our sins. Is there any way out of this situation?”
Allah, the Exalted, has declared that He will send Books, Prophets, and Messengers as reminders to humanity.
The fact that the Qur’an is a reminder is mentioned frequently in the Qur’an:
Surah Abasa, Verse 11
Indeed, this (Qur’an) is a reminder
No indeed! It is a reminder.
Kella, innaha tezkirah.
Surah Abasa, Verse 12
Whoever wishes may take heed from it (the Qur’an).
فَمَنْ شَٓاءَ ذَكَرَهُۢ
Fe men sha’a, zekarah.
Surah Abasa, Verse 13
It is in those honored pages
In the honored pages,
Fi suhufin mukerrameh.
Surah Abasa, Verse 14
Exalted and pure
Exalted and purified,
Exalted and purified
Surah Abasa, Verse 15
By the hands of the scribes
By the hands of the scribes,
By the hands of the scribes
Surah Abasa, Verse 17
That man has ruined himself; how ungrateful he is!
Woe to man—how ungrateful he is!
Kutilel insanu ma ekferah
Surah al-Takwir, Verse 25
It cannot be the word of the accursed Satan
وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَانٍ رَج۪يمٍۚ
And it is not the word of a banished devil.
Surah At-Takwir, Verse 26
So where are you going?
So where are you going?
Fe eyne tezhebun.
Surah At-Takwir, Verse 27
It (the Qur’an) is nothing but a reminder for the worlds.
اِنْ هُوَ اِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِلْعَالَم۪ينَۙ
In huve illa zikrun lil alemin
Surah At-Takwir, Verse 28
For those of you who wish to follow the right path and be righteous.
For whoever among you wishes to be upright
Li men sha’a minkum en yestekim
Surah At-Takwir, Verse 29
You cannot will anything unless Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, wills it.
And you cannot will anything unless Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, wills it
And you cannot will anything unless Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, wills it.
Surah al-Muddaththir, Verse 54
Indeed, it (the Qur’an) is a reminder.
Kalla, innahu tazkirah.
Kella, indeed it is a reminder.
Surah al-Muddaththir, Verse 55
Whoever wishes may take heed from it.
So whoever wishes may take heed of it.
Fe men sha’a zekereh
Surah al-Muddaththir, Verse 56
Unless Allah wills, they cannot take heed. He is the Source of righteousness; He is the Source of forgiveness.
And they do not remember except as Allah wills. He is the Source of righteousness and the Source of forgiveness.
And they do not remember except as Allah wills; He is the Source of righteousness and the Source of forgiveness.
Surah al-Muddaththir, Verse 31
We have appointed only angels as guardians of the Fire. We have made their number (nineteen) a trial (a source of distress) for the disbelievers, (2) to convince those who have been given the Scripture, (3) to strengthen the faith of the believers, (4) to dispel the doubts of both those who have been given the Scripture and the believers, and (5) so that those with sickness in their hearts and the disbelievers may say, “What does Allah mean by this example?” Thus, Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. No one knows the armies of your Lord except Him. This (number) is a reminder for people.
And We have made the keepers of the Fire none other than angels, and We have made their number only as a trial for those who disbelieve, so that those who have been given the Scripture may be certain, and so that those who have believed may increase in faith, and so that those who have been given the Scripture and the believers may not doubt, and so that those in whose hearts is “sickness,” and the disbelievers say, “What did Allah intend by this parable?” Thus does Allah lead astray whom He wills and guide whom He wills. And no one knows the hosts except Him. And it is nothing but a reminder for mankind.
And We have made the inhabitants of the Fire none other than angels, and We have made their number a trial for those who disbelieve—so that those who have been given the Scripture may be certain, and those who believe may increase in faith, and so that those who have been given the Scripture and the believers may not waver, and so that those in whose hearts is a disease and the disbelievers may say, “What did Allah intend by this parable?” Thus does Allah lead astray whom He wills and guide whom He wills; and none knows the hosts of your Lord except Him; and it is nothing but a reminder for mankind.
Unfortunately, humanity will lose the second battle as well; humankind will depart from this world through death and, on the Day of Judgment, in the Hereafter, will give an account of the second life they have lived (their worldly life). As a result of this reckoning, people will be divided into three groups: the Foremost, the Companions of the Right, and the Companions of the Left. Satan’s assumption will prove correct; most people will be polytheists. The Qur’an informs us in Surah al-Furqan that on the Day of Judgment, the Prophet Muhammad will see his people holding the Qur’an close yet simultaneously abandoning it. We must use our reason, never forget that we are being tested, not fall for Iblis’s tricks, and not become the subject of the Messenger’s supplication on the Day of Judgment; yet, unfortunately, most of us will be destined for Hell. This fact is established in the verses I have cited below.
Surah al-Furqan, Verse 30
The Messenger said, “O my Lord, my people have treated this Qur’an as something abandoned and rejected.”
وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ اِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنَ مَهْجُوراً
Ve kaler resulu ya rabbi inne kavmittehazu hazel kur’ane mehcura.
Surah Al-Araf, Verse 179
Indeed, most of those We have created from among the jinn and mankind are destined for Hell. They have hearts with which they do not understand, eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are like animals—no, even more astray. Such are the heedless.
وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَث۪يراً مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْاِنْسِۘ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَاۘ وَلَهُمْ اَعْيُنٌ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَاۘ وَلَهُمْ اٰذَانٌ لَا يَسْمwith. Those are like cattle—no, they are even more astray. Those are the heedless ones.
In summary: In our first paradise, the tree—through which, deceived by Satan, we ascribed partners to the Almighty Allah in His divine attributes—made us polytheists in that first paradise. Satan deceived us all with the lie that we would become immortal if we tasted from that tree, and this led to our expulsion from the first paradise. Instead of calling upon Almighty Allah, we placed our trust in a tree. We believed that the tree would provide us with divine assistance. We paid the price for this sin by being expelled from the first paradise. However, our Lord once again accepted our repentance and gave us a second chance. We were sent to a lower realm. We are currently experiencing the second phase of the trial with Satan. Thus, the first resurrection took place, and humanity began to live on Earth. After living a certain life on Earth, humans will experience a second death in this world. A second resurrection will also take place in the Hereafter. We must live our lives in accordance with our duty to our Lord, being mindful of our responsibilities and acting with piety toward Him.
Surah Al-Imran, Verse 198
But those who are mindful of their responsibilities toward their Lord will attain gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will dwell forever. What a wonderful welcome from Allah! What is with Allah is best for those who are truly righteous.
لٰكِنِ الَّذ۪ينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْر۪ي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهَارُ خَالِد۪ينَ ف۪يهَا نُزُلاً مِنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِۜ وَمَا عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ خَيْرٌ لِلْاَبْرَar
Lakinillezinettekav rabbehum lehum cennatun tecri min tahtihal enharu halidine fiha nuzulen min indillah, ve ma indallahi hayrun lil ebrar.
(The Almighty Allah is transcendent of the concept of time); time is a dimension in physics and is considered the fourth dimension in our universe. The Almighty Allah and His honorable messengers, such as Gabriel, are transcendent of time; Allah’s honorable messengers, such as Gabriel, can instantly be wherever they wish between the past and the future. The Almighty Allah, who exists in infinite dimensions, naturally knows which of us will go to Heaven and which to Hell, but this is a dimension beyond our free will. Allah’s knowledge does not influence our will; He knows from higher dimensions. It is like a much more skilled chess grandmaster watching two amateur chess players play and knowing in advance which one will win, yet He does not interfere with the players’ game. This example is very simple—even as small as a dot—compared to the Almighty Allah’s omniscience, for He knows the number of everything: every atom, every electron, and every proton (Surah Al-Jinn, verse 28). He even knows our feelings before we take any action—whether we hide them or reveal them. He is always with us (Surah Al-Mujadilah, verse 7)
Surah Al-Jinn, Verse 28
So that it may become clear that the messengers have conveyed the message of their Lord. He has encompassed all that they do and has counted everything, one by one.
لِيَعْلَمَ اَنْ قَدْ اَبْلَغُوا رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَاَحَاطَ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ وَاَحْصٰى كُلَّ شَيْءٍ عَدَداً
Li ya’leme en kad eblegu rısalati rabbihim ve ehata bima ledeyhim ve ahsa kulle şey’in adeda.
Surah Al-Mujadilah, Verse 7
Do you not realize that Allah knows everything in the heavens and on earth? If three people hold a secret conversation, He is surely the fourth among them. If there are five, He is surely the sixth. Whether there are fewer or more, and wherever they may be, He is with them. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they have done. Allah is All-Knowing.
Have you not seen that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on earth? Whenever three people hold a secret conversation, He is the fourth among them; and whenever there are five, He is the sixthof them, nor any group smaller or larger than that, but He is with them wherever they may be. Then He will inform them of what they have done on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, Allah isAll Things.
Have you not seen that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is on earth? There is no private conversation between three but He is their fourth, nor between five but He is their sixth, nor anything less than that, nor anything more—except that He is with them wherever they may be. Then He will inform them of what they have done on the Day of Resurrection, Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of all things.
Surah An-Nahl, Verse 23
Undoubtedly, Allah knows both what they conceal and what they reveal. He does not love those who are arrogant or haughty.
Is it a sin that Allah knows what they conceal and what they reveal? Indeed, He does not love the arrogant.
La cereme ennallahe ya’lemu ma yusirrune ve ma yu’linun, innehu la yuhıbbul mustekbirin.
Is everyone who claims to be a Muslim truly a believer?
According to the Qur’an, no. The Clear Qur’an, of course, clearly outlines the behaviors expected of believers. Believers have faith in Allah without associating partners with Him, believe in the Hereafter, and perform righteous deeds. Surah al-Baqarah/62, Surah al-Kahf/110. Believers believe in the unseen; we cannot see the Exalted Allah with our eyes, but we must believe in Him by observing the scientific evidence and miracles in the Qur’an, as well as the scientific evidence in the universe, in nature, and within our own bodies. Allah states, “Had I willed, I would have guided everyone,” (Surah As-Sajdah, verse 13). At this point, the purpose of human creation and our responsibilities come to the fore; to be worthy of Allah’s mercy, we must strive on our own and fulfill our responsibilities.
Human “tesbih” is to believe in our Exalted Lord—whom we cannot see with our eyes—based on the evidence I have mentioned, and to fulfill the obligations of being a believer. Surah al-Hadid, verse 3; Surah al-Baqarah, verse 3.
Surah al-Baqarah, Verse 3
They (the God-fearing) affirm the truths they cannot perceive with their senses, observe the prayer (solidarity), and give to the needy from the sustenance We have provided them.
اَلَّذ۪ينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُق۪يمُونَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَۙ
Ellezine yu’minune bil gaybi ve yukimunes salate ve mimma razaknahum yunfikun
Surah Hadid, Verse 3
He is the First; there is no beginning to Him; He is the Last; there is no end to Him; He is the Manifest; He is evident in all things; He is the Hidden; He is concealed from sight. He is All-Knowing of everything.
He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden; and He is All-Knowing of everything.
Huvel evvelu vel ahiru vez zahiru vel batın, ve huve bi kulli şey’in alim
They tremble when Allah is mentioned; night and day, they reflect on the fact that Allah did not create the universe in vain and remember their responsibilities; at night, they rise from their beds and pray to their Lord with both fear and hope. Surah Al-Sajdah, verse 16: They free slaves (at that time); Surah Al-Balad, verse 13: They feed the hungry and orphans even though they themselves are not well-fed; Surah Al-Balad, verses 14–15: They are trustworthy and safeguard what is entrusted to them; Surah Al-Mu’minun, verse 8.
Surah al-Hujurat, Verse 14
The Arabs said, “We have believed.” Say: “You have not believed; rather, say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish anything from your deeds.” Indeed, Allah is Forgiving, Ever-Merciful.
The Arabs said, “We have believed.” Say, “You have not believed, but say instead, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. And if you obey Allah and HisHis Messenger, nothing of your deeds will be lost. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
If the Arabs say, “We have believed,” say, “You have not believed; rather, say, ‘We have submitted.’ For faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish anything from your deeds. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 2
Indeed, the believers are those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, whose faith is strengthened when His verses are recited to them, and who put their trust solely in their Lord.
Indeed, the believers are those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases their faith, and they put their trust in their Lord.
Innemel mu’minunellezine iza zukirallahu vecilet kulubuhum ve iza tuliyet aleyhim ayatuhu zadethum imanen ve ala rabbihim yetevekkelun.
Believers are those who bear witness to the existence of Almighty Allah through evidence by reading the Book of the Universe with the intellect and knowledge He has bestowed upon them; who are convinced by evidence of the divine nature of the Qur’an; who place their trust in the Qur’an; and who walk the straight path (the path of the Qur’an). Believers seek their Lord by bearing witness, through the intellect bestowed by the Almighty Allah, to the manifestation of all His attributes; this is the glorification of the Lord by the God-fearing person.
The glorification of every being is to act in accordance with its purpose of creation; all living and non-living beings created by Almighty Allah glorify Him, whether they wish to or not. For example, an atheist—no matter how much he may disbelieve in a Creator—his heart continues to beat, blood continues to circulate through his veins, his lungs continue to supply oxygen to the blood, his kidneys continue to filter urine, and his eyes continue to see. Let him try to stop any of these functions! cannot stop any of them because those organs, the tissues of those organs, the cells of those tissues, the atoms of those cells, the protons, electrons, quarks, and leptons of those atoms—all glorify the Almighty Allah through the revelation they receive from Him without being asked; in accordance with their nature as created beings, they perform whatever task Allah has commanded them to do. Likewise, a person who is God-fearing will, by using their intellect and piety, glorify their Lord in a manner befitting a human being, walking the straight path in accordance with the Qur’an. This is the purpose of human creation.
