The Original Sin that Never Happened!

By admin 2021, June 0 Comments

الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينة ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمداً عبده ورسوله ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه ومن تبعه إلى يوم الدين.

This discussion focuses on the key episode in the human history, it is related to the life of Prophet Adam and Sayeda Hawa (Eve) when they were in the garden. The common understanding of this episode is that Allah ordered them not to approach a certain tree, but Satan tempted them, and they ate from it committing the first sin and thus they were punished by being sent to earth. While this account does not have any significant relevance to the articles of faith in Islam, it is very critical to the Christian faith because it is the primary basis for giving justification to divinity to Prophet Jesus (PBUH) to cleanse man form this original sin.

Personally, I believe that the major injustice that Muslims commit against the Quran and frankly against themselves is using the bible to explain many of the stories in the Quran including this one that I plan to discuss. Any story in the Quran must solely be explained using the Quran and the authentic Hadith and archaeological findings if they exist.

The Quran offers an important educational tool to develop the cognitive and analytical capacity of Muslims, and this will be lost if you just go and read the details of the story in the Bible. Frankly, how can we seek interpretation of the Quran from other religious books when the Prophet (PBUH) said regarding the Quran in a hadith that is narrated by Imam Ali (RA) and reported in Al-Tirmidhi (الترمذي):

مَنْ ابَتَغَى الهُدَى فِي غَيْرِهِ أَضَلّهُ الله

Whoever seeks guidance from other than it, Allah will misguide him.

هُوَ الّذِي لاَ تَزِيعُ بِهِ الأَهْوَاءُ، وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ مِنْهُ الْعُلَمَاءُ، وَلاَ يَخْلُقُ عَلى كَثْرَةِ الرّدّ، وَلاَ تَنْقَضَي عَجَائِبُهُ،

It is the one that will not make the whims deviates, and scholars will always be hungry to study it. Its responses do not need replenishment. And its wonders will never cease.

Unfortunately, some of the false accounts in the Bible creeped into books of Tafseer which is clearly violating the Prophet’s command. It is reported that Omar Ibn Al-Khattab said to the Prophet (PBUH):

عن جابر – رضي الله عنه – عن النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – حين أتاه عمر فقال : إنا نسمع أحاديث من يهود تعجبنا ، أفترى أن نكتب بعضها ؟ فقال : أمتهوكون أنتم كما تهوكت اليهود والنصارى ؟ ! لقد جئتكم بها بيضاء نقية ، ولو كان موسى حيا ما وسعه إلا اتباعي ” . ) أحمد ، والبيهقي(

“We hear talks from Jews that we like, do you agree that we write some of them. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Do you want to be deceived as the Jews and the Christians have been deceived!” I came to you with a pure and clear message, and if Moses was alive, he could not have done anything but to follow me”.

Ibn Abbas (ابن عباس) said:

عن عبيد الله بن عبد الله أن ابن عباس قال كيف تسألون أهل الكتاب عن شيء وكتابكم الذي أنزل على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أحدث تقرءونه محضا لم يشب وقد حدثكم أن أهل الكتاب بدلوا كتاب الله وغيروه وكتبوا بأيديهم الكتاب وقالوا هو من عند الله ليشتروا به ثمنا قليلا ألا ينهاكم ما جاءكم من العلم عن مسألتهم) صحيح البخاري(

“How can you ask the people of the book for anything and the book that was revealed to the messenger of Allah (PBUH) is the most recent and you read it pure without any alternation and it informed you that the people of the book substituted and changed the book of Allah, and they wrote the book with their hands and said it is from Allah to gain trifling price. Didn’t the knowledge that came to you prohibited you from asking them”.

But why one needs any other source than the Quran to explain what is in it since Allah said:

وَنَزَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ تِبۡيَـٰنً۬ا لِّكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُدً۬ى وَرَحۡمَةً۬ وَبُشۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ (٨٩)

We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an), an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for the Muslims. (Al-Nahl 16:89)

Frankly, how can any Muslim use the Bible to explain what is in the Quran when even the biblical scholars say about it: “Despite the Bible’s undeniable influence, mysteries continue to linger over its origins. Even after nearly 2,000 years of its existence, and centuries of investigation by biblical scholars, we still don’t know with certainty who wrote its various texts, when they were written or under what circumstances”. If one is interested in more details about the origin of the bible, he may read the book written by Robert Huber and Stephen Miller

If you really want to know what happened to our father Adam and our mother Hawa (Eve) when they were in the Garden and to derive valuable lessons, you need to cleanse your mind from anything that you have read or heard that is based on the Bible and focus on deriving the story from the Quran.

Before we start, let use briefly mention two topics that have discussed previously. The first topic is the 7 steps to study the Quran, and these are:

Reading (Qira’ah) (قراءة) (Uttering the words and sentences whether one may or may not understand the meanings of what is being read. This will give the reader a blessing from Allah, hasanah for each letter)
Recitation (Tilawah) (تلاوة) (Understanding the meaning of the words and the verses taking into account the context)
Purification (Tazkiah) (تزكية) (Purification of the Nafs)
Tarteel (ترتيل) (Assembly of all verses related to the same subject to allow comprehensive understanding of the subject)
Tadabour (تدبر) (This involves studying the verses related to the same subject that were assembled in the previous step of Tarteel to harmonize them to drive clear understating of the subject)
Recollection (Tadhakur) (تذكر) (Memorization and reminder of past learnings)
Study (Dirasah) (دراسة) (Continuous study to derive new knowledge and unlock the secrets of the Quran. The Prophet (PBUH) said regarding the Quran that “Its wonders will never cease”. (،وَلاَ تَنْقَضَي عَجَائِبُهُ،).

The second topic is the scientific methodology that was developed by the Muslim scientist and scholar Abu-Ali al-Ḥasan ibn al-Ḥasan ibn al-Haytham ( أبو علي، الحسن بن الحسن بن الهيثم) whose Latinized name “Alhazen”. Ibn al-Haytham is considered the father of modern scientific methodology that involves 6 steps:

Make observations.
Think of questions.
Formulate hypothesis.
Developing testable predictions
Collect data to test the prediction,
Develop a general theory if the data validates the hypothesis, otherwise repeat the process by redefining altering, expanding, or rejecting the hypothesis.

Both the 7 steps to study the Quran and the 6 steps of the scientific methodology are related. Through the recitation of the Quran, you make certain observation that brings e certain questions in your mind. And this leads you to make hypothesis regarding what happened in the story. To test the validity of your hypothesis, you need to have basis for the validation process, and this involves developing a set of testable predictions.

Then you go thru the process of testing the hypothesis based on all the verses in the Quran and any relevant authentic hadith that are related to the subject.

If all elements of the hypothesis are validated, i.e., don’t contradict any of the data, you can assume that such hypothesis is valid. But you cannot assume that it is the only valid hypothesis because someone else many come with another hypothesis that is also valid. Also, even you may come with another more refined hypothesis as you read more and as you advance in knowledge, However, if the data contradicts the hypothesis, you will need to modify the hypothesis and repeat the process of validation.

The account of the story of Prophet Adam and Sayeda Hawa in the Garden came in the Quran in 22 verses in Surat Al-Baqara, Al-Araf and Taha. There are also 5 verses that are related to the study. In addition, there are 2 hadith that are relevant.

Direct Verses (22 verses): Surat Al-Baqara has 4 verses (2:34-38), Surat Al-Araf has 9 verses (7:19-27) and Surat Taha has 9 verses (20:115-123)

Related verses (5 verses): Al-Baqara 2: 30, Al-Arfat 7:11, 172, and 189) and Al-Isra 17:62

(I am not going to present the verses here because of the time, but I really suggest that you read them on your own). However, I’ll use them to implement the first step of the scientific methodology which is to make observations. When you read the account of Prophet Adam and Sayeda Hawa (Eve) in the Quran, you will most likely make several observations such as:

Observation

Basis

1.The stories in the Quran are intended as tools for teaching morality and wisdom, strengthening the emotional dimension, providing and knowledge and learning. In addition, the stories are educational tools to improve the cognitive capacity of the reader thru the use of reasoning for thinking about the overt and hidden points.

This story should be no different.

كَذَٲلِكَ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ مَا قَدۡ سَبَقَ‌ۚ وَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰكَ مِن لَّدُنَّا ذِڪۡرً۬ا (٩٩)

Thus, We relate to you some information of what happened before. And We have given you from Us a Reminder. (Ta-Ha, 20:99)

لَقَدۡ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِہِمۡ عِبۡرَةٌ۬ لِّأُوْلِى ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ‌ۗ

Indeed, in their stories, there is a lesson for the people of understanding. (Yusuf 12:111)

وَكُلاًّ۬ نَّقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ‌ۚ وَجَآءَكَ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَمَوۡعِظَةٌ۬ وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ (١٢٠

And We relate to these accounts of the Messengers in order that We strengthen your heart and in these (stories) there has come to you the truth, as well as a good counsel and a reminder for the believers. (Hud 11:120)

فَٱقۡصُصِ ٱلۡقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ (١٧٦)

So, relate the stories, so that they may ponder (Al-Araf 7:176)

2.Even before the creation of Adam, Allah informed the angels that Adam will be a Khalifa (vicegerent) in earth and thus Adam was destined to be send to earth whether he ate from the tree or not.

وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةً۬‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيہَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيہَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (٣٠)

And recall when your Lord said to the angels: verily I am going to create a vicegerent On the earth. They said: will you create therein one who will make mischief and shed blood while glorify You with praises and sanctify You! He (Allah) said: I know that which you do not know.” (Al-Baqara 2:30)

3.Even before Allah asked the angels to prostrate to Adam, Allah exposed to Adam all his progeny and informed him of his and their life span. So, Adam knew that he would have descendants and thru them his legacy will remain.

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَـٰڪُمۡ ثُمَّ صَوَّرۡنَـٰكُمۡ ثُمَّ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ لَمۡ يَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ (١١)

And surely, We created you (all humans) and then gave you shape; then We told the angels, “Prostrate to Adam”, and they prostrated, except Iblîs (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrated themselves. (Al-Arfat 7:11)

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِن بَنِي آدَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا بَلَىٰ ۛ شَهِدْنَا ۛ أَن تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَٰذَا غَافِلِينَ

“(Recall) when your Lord took from the children of Adam their descendants from the loins, and made them testify about themselves (by asking them,) “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Indeed, You are. We testify.” (We did so) just in case you may say on the Day of Judgment, “We were never unaware of this,” (Al-Araf 7:172)

It is reported by Imam Al-Tirmizi (الترمذي) that Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said::

“ لما خلق الله آدم مسح ظهره فسقط من ظهره كل نسمة هو خالقها من ذريته إلى يوم القيامة وجعل بين عيني كل إنسان منهم وبيصا من نور ثم عرضهم على آدم فقال: أي ربي من هؤلاء؟ قال: هؤلاء ذريتك فرأى رجلا منهم فأعجبه وبيص ما بين عينيه فقال: يا رب من هذا؟ قال: هذا رجل من آخر الأمم من ذريتك يقال له: داود قال: يا رب كم عمره؟ قال: ستون سنة قال: أي رب أعطه من عمري أربعين فأخذ الله عليه الميثاق”

“When Allah created Adam, He wiped his back and every soul of his offspring that Allah will create until the Day of Judgement fell from his back. Allah put on the forehead of every one of them a flash of light, then showed them to Adam. Adam asked: “My Lord who are they? Allah said: They are your offspring. Adam saw one of them and he was charmed by a bright flash between his eyes. He asked: My Lord, who is this? Allah said: he is a man from the late nations from your descendants and his name is Dawoud (David). Adam asked: My Lord, what is his age? Allah said: sixty years. Adam said: My Lord give him 40 years from my age. Allah took the covenant from Adam that this is his demand.

4.When Allah rejected Satan form heaven because of his refusal to prostrate to Adam, Satan threatened to control Adam’s descendants. So, even before Adam was sent to earth Satan’s focus was on controlling Adam’s descendants and not even on Adam himself.

قَالَ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى ڪَرَّمۡتَ عَلَىَّ لَٮِٕنۡ أَخَّرۡتَنِ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ لَأَحۡتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ (٦٢)

“[Iblis (Satan)] said: “See this one whom You have honored above me, if You give me respite (keep me alive) to the Day of Resurrection, I will surely seize and mislead his offspring except a few of them!” (Al-Isra 17:62)

5.When Adam violated Allah’s command and ate form the tree, Allah described the act as slip not as major sin. The word “azalla” (أَزَلَّ) means to cause one to lose his footing or his balance unintentionally and momentarily

فَأَزَلَّهُمَا ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ عَنۡہَا فَأَخۡرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ‌ۖ وَقُلۡنَا ٱهۡبِطُواْ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرٌّ۬ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ۬ (٣٦)

“But Satan caused them to slip and expelled them from the state in which they were. And We said: Go you all down. Some of you being the enemies of others, and on earth there will be your dwelling place and provision for a time. “ (Al-Baqara 2:36)

6.The slip that Adam did was forgiven and thus not important other than serving as important lesson for us, so we don’t repeat it.

فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَـٰتٍ۬ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡهِ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (٣٧)

Then Adam received from his Lord words. And his Lord accepted his repentance. Verily, He is the One Who forgives, the Most Merciful (Al-Baqara 2:37)

ثُمَّ ٱجۡتَبَـٰهُ رَبُّهُ ۥ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡهِ وَهَدَىٰ (١٢٢)

Then his Lord chose him, and accepted his repentance, and gave him guidance (Taha 20:122)

7.Adam and Eve were dressed when they were in the Garden. This means that they were not naked. Thus, eating from the tree is not a cause for them being naked. Rather being naked is a prerequisite for eating from the tree.

إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيہَا وَلَا تَعۡرَىٰ (١١٨)

Here you will not be hungry, nor you will be naked. (Taha 20:118)

8.The one physical action that Satan did to Adam and Eve is stripping them form their clothing and thus making them naked. Allah warns the children of Adam not to allow Satan to do the same to them and make them naked.

الأعراف – الآية 27يَا بَنِي آدَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُم مِّنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْآتِهِمَا ۗ

O Children of Adam! Let not Satan deceive you, as he got your parents out of the garden, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. (Al-Araf 7:27)

9.Using his deception strategy, Satan guided Adam and Eve on how to taste the tree that led to their exposure and shame. So, neither Adam nor Even knew how to eat form the tree before Satan showed them.

فَدَلَّٮٰهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ۬‌ۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا ٱلشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتۡ لَهُمَا سَوۡءَٲتُہُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخۡصِفَانِ عَلَيۡہِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ‌ۖ وَنَادَٮٰهُمَا رَبُّہُمَآ أَلَمۡ أَنۡہَكُمَا عَن تِلۡكُمَا ٱلشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَآ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ (٢٢)

So, he (Satan) guided/showed them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called out to them (saying): “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Satan is an open enemy unto you?” (Al-Araf 7:22)

10. All the blame for eating from the tree was placed on Adam because he lacked firmness to resist the temptation that made him forget Allah’s command. Eve was merely a passive participant.

Also, the joint act of eating for the tree lead to exposing their private parts.

وَلَقَدۡ عَهِدۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ مِن قَبۡلُ فَنَسِىَ وَلَمۡ نَجِدۡ لَهُ ۥ عَزۡمً۬ا (١١٥)

“We gave our command to Adam which he forgot and found that he lacks firmness.’ (Taha 20:115)

فَأَكَلَا مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ ۚ وَعَصَىٰ آدَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَىٰ

“Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Garden for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray” (Taha 20:121)

11.Hawa (Eve) was created as the wife for Adam from day one. And they know that they will have children thru a certain process.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٍ۬ وَٲحِدَةٍ۬ وَجَعَلَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَهَا لِيَسۡكُنَ إِلَيۡہَا‌ۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّٮٰهَا حَمَلَتۡ حَمۡلاً خَفِيفً۬ا فَمَرَّتۡ بِهِۦ‌ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَثۡقَلَت دَّعَوَا ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَٮِٕنۡ ءَاتَيۡتَنَا صَـٰلِحً۬ا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ (١٨٩)

It is He Who has created you from a single soul and out of him He has created from him his wife [Hawa (Eve)], so that he finds comfort in her. When he (Adam) covered her, she carried a light burden and moved about with it. Then when it became heavy, they both invoked Allah, their Lord (saying): “If You give us a a perfect child, we shall indeed be among the grateful.” (Al-Araf 7:189)

12. Both the Quran and the hadith use metaphors for terms that are embarrassing such as sextual intercourse

Ibn Abbas said:

قال ابن عباس: (الدخول والتغشي والإفضاء والمباشرة والرفث واللمس هذا الجماع غير أن الله حَيِيٌّ كريم يكنى بما شاء عما شاء) (المصنف، أبو بكر عبد الرزاق الصنعاني،).

“The terms entering, covering, access, confide, approach, and touching refer to intercourse, but Allah is shy and generous, He uses metaphores for what He wants.”

أُحِلَّ لَڪُمۡ لَيۡلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآٮِٕكُمۡ‌ۚ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لِبَاسٌ۬ لَّهُنَّ‌ۗ

It is made lawful for you , on the night of the fast, is the approach to your wives. They are a garment onto you and you are a garment onto them. (Al-Baqara 2:187)

وَلَا تُبَـٰشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمۡ عَـٰكِفُونَ فِى ٱلۡمَسَـٰجِدِ‌ۗ [البقرة: 187]

And do not touch them when you are in seclusion in the mosques. (Al-Baqara 2:187)

وَقَدْ أَفْضَى بَعْضُكُمْ إلَى بَعْضٍ} [النساء: 21].

“When you have had access to each other, (Al-Nisa 4:21)

: {وَإن طَلَّقْتُمُوهُنَّ مِن قَبْلِ أَن تَمَسُّوهُنَّ} [البقرة: 237].

If you divorce them before you have touched them. (Al-Baqara 2:237)

{أَوْ لامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ} [النساء: 43].

“Or you have had contact with women” (Al-Nisa 4: 43)

13.A term such eat does not necessarily mean consuming food, it can be used to refer consuming other physical things or activities such as money, usury, good deeds.

وَلَا تَأۡكُلُوٓاْ أَمۡوَٲلَكُم بَيۡنَكُم بِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ

“And do not eat each other property by false means.” (Al-Baqara 2:188)

ٱلَّذِينَ يَأۡڪُلُونَ ٱلرِّبَوٰاْ لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ ٱلَّذِى يَتَخَبَّطُهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ مِنَ ٱلۡمَسِّ‌ۚ

“Those who eat Riba (usury) will not stand except like the standing of one whom the demon has driven to insanity by his touch.” (Al-Baqara 2:275)

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْحَسَدَ، فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ الْحَسَنَاتِ] أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ. وَابْنِ مَاجَهْ[

Beware of envy, indeed envy eats good deeds. (Abu Daud and Ibn Majah)

14.A term such as a tree that has been eaten from is used as metaphor for a woman that has been married before, i.e. not virgin because she has been engaged in sextual intercourse.

Both Bukhari and Muslim reported that Sayeda Aisha said that I said to the messenger of Allah (PBUH):

عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ قُلتُ يا رَسولَ اللَّهِ، أرَأَيْتَ لو نَزَلْتَ وادِيًا وفيهِ شَجَرَةٌ قدْ أُكِلَ منها، ووَجَدْتَ شَجَرًا لَمْ يُؤْكَلْ منها، في أيِّهَا كُنْتَ تُرْتِعُ بَعِيرَكَ؟ قالَ: في الذي لَمْ يُرْتَعْ منها

تَعْنِي أنَّ رَسولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ لَمْ يَتَزَوَّجْ بكْرًا غَيْرَهَا.

“O Messenger of Allah: Suppose you landed in a valley where there is a tree of which something has been eaten from it and then you found trees of which nothing has been eaten from, of which tree would you let your camel graze?”

He said, “(I will let my camel graze) of the one of which nothing has been eaten before.”

(Aisha wanted to bring to the Prophet’s attention that he (PBUH) had not married a virgin besides herself.

These are some observations that one can make based on reading the different verses. Additional observations may also be made as on ere-read the verses related to this episode again. This is the beauty of the Quran, the more you read, the more you develop better insights.

The second step in the scientific methodology is to think of questions based on these observations to use in validating the hypothesis that will be made. One can raise the following questions:

What is the relevant of Adam and Eve eating from the tree to Satan’s main threat of misleading Adam’s descendants who were not born yet?
Why Allah described the violation of Adam as merely a slip which is something minor that does not rise to the level of being sin let alone major sin as suggested by the Christian and Jewish traditions.
Why Satan stripped Adam and Eve form their clothing so they can eat from the tree and why he wanted to do the same to us?
What is the relationship between the striping the cloths, eating form the tree, exposing the private parts and the feeling of shame?
Why Adam appears to have quickly being enticed by Satan and forgot the command?
Why Allah placed the blame and the consequence of eating the tree solely on Adam and not Eve?
Since all historical stories in the Quran intended to provide us with applicable teaching, what will be the benefit that we gain from the story of Adam slipping and eating from a tree?

The third step in the scientific methodology is to formulate a hypothesis: I’ll stop here and leave this to you to identify a hypothesis based on the observations.

Keep in mind the 6 steps of the scientific methodology as you study the verses and hadith to validate the hypothesis and these include,

Step 4: Developing testable predictions.

Step 5: Collect data to test the prediction:

Step 6: Develop a general theory if the data validates the hypothesis, otherwise repeat the process by redefining altering, expanding, or rejecting the hypothesis.

THE END

Appendix 1: Possible Hypothesis

Step 3: Formulate hypothesis: The tree is a metaphor for the family tree and eating from the tree is metaphor for the sextual relationship between a husband and wife to have children.

Could Allah wanted Adam to learn how to control his passion towards a woman, though his wife, before sending them down to earth.

Could the lesson for us be is to know that strongest desire that Stan will entice man with is the illicit sex and therefore Allah warned us not to allow Satan to force us to get naked.

Could the reason that Allah placed all the blame of Adam to inform us to beware that lust and sexual fantasies are man’s struggle far more than a woman. Therefore, Satan may be placing more focus in tempting man in this area.

While Adam did not really commit any major sin since Eve was his wife, he slipped and did not have the patience to wait until Allah sends his to earth. This situation would be similar to the condition of a boy and a girl get officially married but their parents expect them not to have sexual intercourse until their place of residence is prepared or until the boy graduated. But they could not resist and had sextual intercourse. They would not have committed a sin but obviously their parents would be slightly disappointed of their weakness, particularly the boy.

Appendix 2: Vesres from the Quran (Data) Used in the Analysis

Al-Baqara (2:35-38) (4 verses)

“And We said: O’ Adam, dwell you and your spouse in the garden and eat freely to your hearts’ content all what you wish, but do not come near this one tree, lest you become wrongdoers.”(35)

“But Satan caused them to slip and expelled them from the state in which they were. And We said: Go you all down. Some of you being the enemies of others, and on earth will be your dwelling place and provision for a time.” (36)

Then Adam received from his Lord words. And his Lord accepted his repentance. Verily, He is the One Who forgives, the Most Merciful (37)

We said: “Get down all of you from here (the Garden), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall have no fear on them, nor shall they grieve (38)

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

وَقُلۡنَا يَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسۡكُنۡ أَنتَ وَزَوۡجُكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنۡهَا رَغَدًا حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمَا وَلَا تَقۡرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (٣٥)

قُلۡنَا ٱهۡبِطُواْ مِنۡہَا جَمِيعً۬ا‌ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّى هُدً۬ى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ (٣٨)

Surat Al-Araf (7:19-27) (9 verses)

“And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Garden and eat thereof as you both wish, but do not approach this tree otherwise you both will be of the wrong-doers.” (19)

Then Satan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was hidden from them of their private parts; he said: “Your Lord did not forbid you this tree save that you should become angels or become of the immortals.” (20)

And he (Satan)] swore by Allah to them both (saying): “Verily, I am one of the sincere advisers for you both.” (21)

So, he guided/showed them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Garden. And their Lord called out to them (saying): “Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Satan is an open enemy unto you?” (22)

They said: “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and bestow upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.” (23)

(Allâh) said: “Get down, one of you is an enemy to the other. On earth you will have a dwelling-place and an enjoyment for a while.” (24)

He said: “In it you shall live, and in it you shall die, and from it you shall be resurrected.” (25)

O Children of Adam! We have bestowed clothing upon you to cover yourselves and as an adornment, and the garments of righteousness, that is better. Such are among the signs of Allah, that they may remember (26)

O Children of Adam! Let not Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents out of the Garden, stripping them of their clothing to show them their private parts. Verily, he and his tribe see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the devils helpers for those who believe not. (27)

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف

وَيَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسۡكُنۡ أَنتَ وَزَوۡجُكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنۡ حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمَا وَلَا تَقۡرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (١٩)

فَوَسۡوَسَ لَهُمَا ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ لِيُبۡدِىَ لَهُمَا مَا وُ ۥرِىَ عَنۡہُمَا مِن سَوۡءَٲتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَہَٮٰكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنۡ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيۡنِ أَوۡ تَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰلِدِينَ (٢٠)

وَقَاسَمَهُمَآ إِنِّى لَكُمَا لَمِنَ ٱلنَّـٰصِحِينَ (٢١)

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ (٢٣)

قَالَ ٱهۡبِطُواْ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرٌّ۬ وَمَتَـٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ۬ (٢٤)

قَالَ فِيہَا تَحۡيَوۡنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنۡہَا تُخۡرَجُونَ (٢٥)

يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسً۬ا يُوَٲرِى سَوۡءَٲتِكُمۡ وَرِيشً۬ا‌ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٲلِكَ خَيۡرٌ۬‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ (٢٦)

يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ لَا يَفۡتِنَنَّڪُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ كَمَآ أَخۡرَجَ أَبَوَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنۡہُمَا لِبَاسَہُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوۡءَٲتِہِمَآ‌ۗ إِنَّهُ ۥ يَرَٮٰكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ ۥ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَہُمۡ‌ۗ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ أَوۡلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ (٢٧)

Taha (20:115-123) (9 verses)

“We gave our command to Adam earlier, then he forgot and found that he lacks firm resolve. (115)

When We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves to Adam.” They all prostrated themselves except Iblîs (Satan), who refused. (116)

“We said: O’ Adam, this (Satan) is an enemy of you and your wife, so do not let him bring you out of the Garden to where you will suffer hardships.” (Taha 117)

Here you have (a promise from Us) that you will not be hungry, nor you will be naked. (118)

And you will suffer not suffer from thirst nor will you be exposed top the sun’s heat. (119)

Then, Satan whispered to him, saying: “O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will not decay?” (120)

Then his Lord chose him, and accepted his repentance, and gave him guidance (122)

He (Allah) said: “Get you down from here, all of you, some of you are an enemy to some others. Then should some guidance come to you from Me,

whoever follows My Guidance he shall neither go astray, nor shall he be distressed. (123)

سُوۡرَةُ طٰه

وَلَقَدۡ عَهِدۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ مِن قَبۡلُ فَنَسِىَ وَلَمۡ نَجِدۡ لَهُ ۥ عَزۡمً۬ا (١١٥)

وَإِذۡ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ أَبَىٰ (١١٦)

فَقُلۡنَا يَـٰٓـٴَـادَمُ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا عَدُوٌّ۬ لَّكَ وَلِزَوۡجِكَ فَلَا يُخۡرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ فَتَشۡقَىٰٓ (١١٧)

إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيہَا وَلَا تَعۡرَىٰ (١١٨)

وَأَنَّكَ لَا تَظۡمَؤُاْ فِيہَا وَلَا تَضۡحَىٰ (١١٩)

فَوَسۡوَسَ إِلَيۡهِ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ قَالَ يَـٰٓـَٔادَمُ هَلۡ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ ٱلۡخُلۡدِ وَمُلۡكٍ۬ لَّا يَبۡلَىٰ (١٢٠)

فَأَڪَلَا مِنۡہَا فَبَدَتۡ لَهُمَا سَوۡءَٲتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخۡصِفَانِ عَلَيۡہِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ‌ۚ وَعَصَىٰٓ ءَادَمُ رَبَّهُ ۥ فَغَوَىٰ (١٢١)

ثُمَّ ٱجۡتَبَـٰهُ رَبُّهُ ۥ فَتَابَ عَلَيۡهِ وَهَدَىٰ (١٢٢)

قَالَ ٱهۡبِطَا مِنۡهَا جَمِيعَۢا‌ۖ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوٌّ۬‌ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّڪُم مِّنِّى هُدً۬ى فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشۡقَىٰ (١٢٣

Related Verses

And recall when your Lord said to the angels: verily I am going to create a vicegerent On the earth. They said: will you create therein one who will mak mischief and shed blood While glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You! He (Allah) said: I know that which you do not knowt.” (Al-Baqara 2:30)

And surely, We created you (your father Adam) and then gave you shape (the noble shape of a human being); then We told the angels, “Prostrate yourselves to Adam”, and they prostrated themselves, except Iblîs (Satan), he refused to be of those who prostrated themselves. (Al-Arraf 7: 11)

It is He Who has created you from a single soul and out of him He has created from him his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], so that he may find comfort in her. When he covered her, she carried a light burden and moved about with it. Then when it became heavy, they both invoked Allah, their Lord (saying): “If You give us a a perfect child, we shall indeed be among the grateful.” (Al-Araf 7:189)

البقرة – وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةً۬‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيہَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيہَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (٣٠)

الاٴعرَاف – – وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَـٰڪُمۡ ثُمَّ صَوَّرۡنَـٰكُمۡ ثُمَّ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ لَمۡ يَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّـٰجِدِينَ (١١)

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف – وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمۡ ذُرِّيَّتَہُمۡ وَأَشۡہَدَهُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ أَلَسۡتُ بِرَبِّكُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُواْ بَلَىٰ‌ۛ شَهِدۡنَآ‌ۛ أَن تَقُولُواْ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ إِنَّا ڪُنَّا عَنۡ هَـٰذَا غَـٰفِلِينَ (١٧٢)

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف – هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٍ۬ وَٲحِدَةٍ۬ وَجَعَلَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَهَا لِيَسۡكُنَ إِلَيۡہَا‌ۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّٮٰهَا حَمَلَتۡ حَمۡلاً خَفِيفً۬ا فَمَرَّتۡ بِهِۦ‌ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَثۡقَلَت دَّعَوَا ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَٮِٕنۡ ءَاتَيۡتَنَا صَـٰلِحً۬ا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّـٰكِرِينَ (١٨٩)

إسرَاء – قَالَ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى ڪَرَّمۡتَ عَلَىَّ لَٮِٕنۡ أَخَّرۡتَنِ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ لَأَحۡتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ (٦٢)

Appendix 3. The Quran

It is reported in Al-Tirmidhi (الترمذي) that Imam Ali narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say: أَلاَ إِنّهَا سَتَكُونُ فِتْنٌ، “Soon will be a lot of tribulations and trials (فِتْنٌ)”

I said: مَا المَخْرَجُ مِنْهَا يَا رَسُولَ الله؟ “How can we save ourselves from them, O’ Messenger of Allah?

The Prophet (PBUH) replied: (كِتَابُ الله) the book of Allah, and the Prophet (PBUH) continued to give us the unique attributes of the Quran; he said:

فِيهِ نَبَأُ مَا كان قَبْلَكُمْ، وَخَبَرُ مَا بَعْدَكُمْ وَحُكْمُ مَا بَيْنَكُمْ،

In it there is the true account of those before you, the news of those who will follow you; and the law for you.

وَهُوَ الفَصْلُ لَيْسَ بِالْهَزْلِ مَنْ تَرَكَهُ مِنْ جَبّارٍ قَصَمَهُ الله، وَمَنْ ابَتَغَى الهُدَى فِي غَيْرِهِ أَضَلّهُ الله

It is the serious judgment and not the lighthearted amusement. Any tyrant who discards it, Allah will destroy him and whoever seeks guidance from other than it, Allah will misguide him.

وَهُوَ حَبْلُ الله المَتِينُ، وَهُوَ الذّكْرُ الْحَكِيمُ، وَهُوَ الصّرَاطُ المُسْتَقِيمُ، هُوَ الّذِي لاَ تَزِيعُ بِهِ الأَهْوَاءُ، وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ مِنْهُ الْعُلَمَاءُ، وَلاَ يَخْلُقُ عَلى كَثْرَةِ الرّدّ، وَلاَ تَنْقَضَي عَجَائِبُهُ،

It is the mighty rope of Allah. It is the noteworthy wise remembrance. It is the straight path. It is the one that will not make the whims deviates, and scholars will always be hungry to study it. Its responses do not need replenishment. Its wonders will never cease.

وَهُوَ َ الّذِي لَمْ تَنْتَهِ الْجِنّ إِذْ سَمِعَتْهُ حَتّى قالُوا {إِنّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنَا عَجَبَاً يَهْدِي إِلَى الرّشْدِ فَآمَنّا بِهِ،

It is the one the Jinn said about it as soon they heard it: We have heard wondrous Quran. It guides to the right path, and we have believed in it”.

مَنْ قالَ بِهِ صَدَقَ، وَمَنْ عَمِلَ بِهِ أُجِرَ، وَمَنْ حَكَمَ بِهِ عَدَلَ، وَمَنْ دَعَا إِلَيْهِ هُدِيَ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

Whoever quotes it is truthful and whoever applies it will have lofty rewards and whoever rules with it will always achieve Justice, and whoever calls to it will be guided to the straight path.

The Breadth Knowledge in the Quran

Some scholars say that the Quran contains all kinds of knowledge including every event that happens in the earth. It was reported that Ibn Masoud (ابن مسعود) said:

مَنْ أَرَادَ الْعِلْمَ فَلْيُثَوِّرِ الْقُرْآنَ ، فَإِنَّ فِيهِ عِلْمَ الأَوَّلِينَ وَالآخِرِينَ ) الطبراني في ” الكبير) ابن المبارك في ” الزهد “ثَوَّرَ القرآن: بَحَثَ عن معانيه

“Who wanted the knowledge should study the Quran, it has the knowledge of the earlier and the later civilizations.”

It is also reported that Ibn Abbas (ابن عباس) said: لو ضاع لي عقال بعير لوجدته في كتاب الله “If my camel’s rope is lost, I will find it in the book of Allah.”

Imam Abu Hamed Al-Ghazali (ابو حامد محمد الغزالي‎) in his books “Revival of Religious Sciences” (إحياء علوم الدين) and “Jewels of the Qur’an and its Pearls” (جواهر القرآن ودرره) said: The Quran encompasses seventy-seven thousand and two hundred (77,200) forms of knowledge.

Imam Abu Bakr al-Arabi (ابو بكر العربى), the Maliki Imam, claimed the Quran includes 77,450 types of knowledge.

While Imam Al-Fakhr Al-Razi (الفخرالرازى) said the Quran does not include except religious knowledge, in his tafseer he contradicted this view by explaining many verses using the science of astronomy. When he was asked of this contradiction, he said that in many verses in the Quran, Allah asks us to ponder and examine the creations of heavens and earth.

Note: The reason that some scholars objected to claim that the Quran includes science and other knowledge because changes in people’s understanding can create doubt about the Quran. But the problem is never in the Quran but in people’s interpretation of the verses of the Quran.

Appendix 4: Original Sin in Christianity

Original sin is the Christian doctrine that humans inherit a tainted nature and a proclivity to sin through the fact of birth. Original sin is the guilt of disobedience to God passed on from Adam and Eve to all subsequent generations. For Catholics, original sin is a state, implying that infants are guilty at birth; for Protestants, in contrast, sin is an act, and original sin implies merely a propensity to commit sinful acts. There is no doctrine of original sin in Judaism’s understanding of the Genesis 3 narrative.

This doctrine of original sin began to emerge in the 3rd century but only became fully formed with the writings of Augustine of Hippo (354–430), who was the first author to use the phrase “original sin” (Latin: peccatum originale). Augustine’s formulation of original sin became popular among Protestant reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, who equated original sin with concupiscence (or “hurtful desire”), affirming that it persisted even after baptism and destroys the freedom to do good and proposed that original sin involved a loss of free will except to sin. Modern Augustinian Calvinism holds this view.

The Jansenist movement, which the Catholic Church declared heretical from 1653, also maintained that original sin destroys freedom of will. Instead, the Catholic Church declares “Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ’s grace, erases original sin and turns a man back towards God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle.

The religion of Islam completely rejects the concept of inherited sin and declares that: non one can transfer his responsibilities to anyone else. Each person’s redemption and salvation depend upon his or her own belief and deeds. Forgiveness of sins (salvation) can only be attained through repentance to Allah and sincere and persistent efforts to stop doing evil and do good. Allah forgives the faults and sins of those who have.

turned away from their sins and reformed themselves, without punishing them or any other person on their behalf.

In numerous verses in the Quran and statements of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is mentioned that those who repent are granted forgiveness from sins; furthermore, their sins are replaced with an equivalent reward.

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (٥٣) وَأَنِيبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَأَسۡلِمُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ (٥٤)

“Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful. (53) And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.” (Al-Zumur 39: 53-54)

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَ‌ۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٲلِكَ يَلۡقَ أَثَامً۬ا (٦٨) يُضَـٰعَفۡ لَهُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ وَيَخۡلُدۡ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا (٦٩) إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلاً۬ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمۡ حَسَنَـٰتٍ۬‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا (٧٠)

“And those who do not invoke any other god along with Allah, nor take the life that Allah has given sanctity except for (course of) justice, nor commit adultery – and whoever does this shall pay the penalty; (68) The punishment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein disdained forever; (69) Except the one who repents and believes and does righteous deeds; as for such, Allah will change their evil deeds to good deeds. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (Al-Furqan 25:68-70)