Hadith on Desire: Creation of Adam and Human Vulnerability

Creation of Adam and Human Vulnerability

Table of Contents

📖Sahih Muslim 2611 a
Anas reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
“When Allah fashioned Adam in Paradise, He left him as He liked him to leave. Then Iblis roamed round him to see what actually that was, and when he found him hollow from within, he recognized that he had been created with a disposition that he would not have control over himself.”

Explanation:

This hadith highlights that Iblis observed Adam and realized his weaknesses, such as emotions and desires, which could make him vulnerable to temptation. However, this does not mean that Adam or his descendants were doomed to fail. Just as Iblis learned about human nature, he also became aware of human weaknesses and how to exploit them, The hadith means that Adam was created with a natural inclination to be weak and easily influenced, which Iblis recognized and took advantage of to lead him astray. However, just as Adam sought forgiveness after his mistake, this hadith shows that human weakness does not mean inevitable failure—it means that humans must recognize their errors and turn back to Allah. Iblis’s knowledge of human weakness is part of his deception, but humans are not powerless. Just as he knows our weaknesses, we too can learn from this and strengthen ourselves through faith, prayer, and seeking Allah’s guidance. This hadith serves as a reminder to be vigilant against temptation and seek refuge in Allah from the whispers of the devil, just as Adam did through repentance and seeking Allah’s mercy.

Why Did Allah Allow Iblis to Know About Adam?

Allah allowed Iblis to observe Adam, but Iblis himself chose arrogance and disobedience instead of humility and obedience, His knowledge did not force him to become a devil, he became one due to his own choices.

📖Surah Al-Kahf (18:50)
“And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ and they all prostrated except Iblis. He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord.”

💡 Key Points:

Iblis was a jinn, not an angel, so he had free will.
He could have obeyed Allah but instead chose rebellion.
Allah’s knowledge does not force anyone to act—it is their own choice.

Related Article: Adam, Satan, Free Will and Divine Justice
Related Article: Free Will and Predestination

Iblis’ Lie & Arrogance

Instead of repenting after disobeying Allah, Iblis falsely blamed Allah for his misguidance and vowed to mislead humanity.

📖Surah Al-A’raf (7:16-17)
“[Iblis] said: Because You have sent me astray, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them and from behind them, and from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful.”

🔹 Unlike Adam, who repented after his mistake, Iblis refused to humble himself.
🔹 His downfall was not just his disobedience, but his arrogance and refusal to seek forgiveness.

📖Surah Sad (38:82-83)
“Iblis said: ‘By Your might, I will surely mislead them all, except Your chosen servants among them.’”

Iblis lied by claiming that Allah sent him astray, while in reality, he chose misguidance himself, Instead of admitting his fault and seeking forgiveness, he doubled down on arrogance.

The Wisdom in Allowing Iblis to Exist

Some may ask, “Why did Allah allow Iblis to act?” The answer is that human life is a test, and trials are necessary for true faith to be shown.

📖Surah Al-Mulk (67:2)
“He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.”

💡 Key Points:

A test requires both good and evil—people must have the choice to follow either path.
Shaytan has no real power over us—he only whispers and tempts, but we have the ability to resist.

📖Surah Ibrahim (14:22)
“And Shaytan will say [on the Day of Judgment], ‘Indeed, Allah promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me, but blame yourselves…’

Iblis only invites people to sin, he cannot force them, Humans are responsible for their own choices.

Disobeying Allah After Knowing the Truth is the Path of Satan

Now that humans already know the truth from Allah, through revelation, prophets, and clear guidance, choosing to follow Satan is no different from what Satan himself did: disobeying Allah out of arrogance and self-deception.

🔹 Satan knew the truth but still rejected it.
🔹 Humans who knowingly follow Satan are committing the same mistake.

Logical Explanation:

Iblis disobeyed despite knowing Allah directly.
- He saw Allah’s command but still refused to bow to Adam out of arrogance.
- He then blamed Allah for his own choice (“Because You have sent me astray…”).
Humans already know the truth.
- Allah has revealed clear guidance through the Qur’an and Sunnah.
- The consequences of following Satan are clearly stated.
Following Satan is repeating his mistake.
- Just like Iblis refused to submit to Allah, humans who follow Satan are choosing to rebel against the truth they already know.
- This is exactly what Satan wants—to make humans fall into the same act of arrogance and disobedience.

📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:168-169)
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. He only commands you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know.”

Hnman Weakness and Shaytan’s Deception – A Logical Explanation

📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:168-169)
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. He only commands you to evil and immorality and to say about Allah what you do not know.”

This verse confirms that human weakness can manifest in various desires, and Shaytan takes advantage of these weaknesses to lead people away from Allah. The Quran mentions three key strategies used by Shaytan to manipulate human nature:

1. Material Desires (Money, Wealth, Power)

Shaytan makes wealth and power seem like the ultimate goal of life, leading people to corruption, greed, and injustice.
Some people become so consumed by material success that they forget their duty to Allah.
Example: A person may justify earning money through haram (forbidden) means, believing that success in this world is more important than righteousness.

📖Surah Al-Kahf (18:46)
“Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life, but the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one’s] hope.”

2. Lust and Immorality (Desires of the Flesh)

Shaytan whispers to people, making immoral actions seem normal or even desirable.
He convinces people to follow their lust without considering the consequences.
Example: Many people fall into sins like adultery, pornography, or indecent behavior because they are driven by temporary pleasure rather than self-control.

📖Surah An-Nur (24:21)
“O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Shaytan. And whoever follows the footsteps of Shaytan – indeed, he enjoins immorality and wrongdoing.”

3. Distorting Beliefs and Saying About Allah What is Not True

Shaytan misguides people into believing false things about Allah, leading them to doubt or misunderstand faith.
He tricks people into thinking they do not need Allah or that they can follow their own desires instead of divine guidance.
Example: Atheism, misinterpretation of religious texts, or claiming that forbidden actions are actually allowed.

📖Surah An-Nisa (4:119-120)
“And I will mislead them, and I will arouse desires in them… and Shaytan does not promise them except delusion.”

Conclusion – How to Overcome This Weakness

Recognizing our weaknesses is the first step to protecting ourselves.
Shaytan cannot force anyone to sin—he only whispers and tempts.
By strengthening our faith, following the Quran and Sunnah, and seeking refuge in Allah, we can resist his influence.

📖Surah Al-A’raf (7:200)
“And if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is Hearing and Knowing.”

Thus, the Quran confirms that human weakness can be in material desires, lust, or misguidance, and Shaytan exploits these to lead people astray. However, Allah has also given humans guidance and free will to resist these temptations and choose the right path.

Why Does Allah Test Humans After Confirming the Truth?

Allah has already confirmed the truth to humans, just as He confirmed it to Iblis. However, knowing the truth is not enough—what matters is obedience and submission to it.

📖Surah Al-A’raf (7:172)
“And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam—from their loins—their descendants and made them testify concerning themselves, [saying], ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes, we have testified.’ Lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Indeed, we were unaware of this.’”

1. The Test is About Free Will, Not Just Knowledge

Allah confirmed the truth to Iblis, yet he still chose to disobey.
Similarly, humans are tested to see if they will submit to the truth or follow their desires despite knowing it.
True faith is not just acknowledging Allah, but obeying Him.

📖Surah Al-Kahf (18:29)
“And say: ‘The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills—let him believe; and whoever wills—let him disbelieve.'”

2. The Test Differentiates Between the Sincere and the Arrogant

Both Adam and Iblis made mistakes, but Adam repented while Iblis became arrogant.
Humans have the same choice—to humble themselves before Allah or to reject Him out of pride.

📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:2-3)
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those who fear Allah—who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend from what We have provided for them.”

3. A Test is Needed for Justice

If there was no test, people could claim they would have obeyed if given a chance.
The test removes all excuses and proves whether a person truly deserves reward or punishment.