But, It was Undesirable meaning that it was better not to...

But, It was Undesirable meaning that it was better not to eat the fruit of the tree. Thirdly, the place where man is to be tested by the rules of Shariah is this world, not Paradise. Man is sent here so that his worth may be tested. After that test, the successful person will be sent to paradise to enjoy the Grace of Allah. There will be no test there. The examination is here in this world. Answers are to be written here, not in Paradise.

Paradise is the prize of success in the Divine examinations. Therefore, any order given in heaven must be, by nature of the place, of an advisory nature, not an obligatory command. If we go against the advice of a wise person, we may put ourselves into inconvenience and trouble; but surely it cannot be said that we committed a crime. The result will be a loss for us and that’s all.

The Qur’anic Verses About Adam Now let us examine some verses of the Qur’an about Prophet Adam one by one: (1) The Qur’an says: “We said, ‘O Adam, dwell with your mate in paradise and eat thereof freely whencesoever you wish, but do not approach this tree, lest you should be among the wrongdoers” (2:35) and (7:19). The word used is wrongdoers (Dhalemeen), which is derived from wrongdoing (Dhulm). The word Dhulm (wrongdoing) in Arabic means: 1. to misplace a thing; 2. to come to harm; 3.

oppress; 4. to make haste before time. As the word ‘Dhulm’ has at least 4 meanings, when it is used for a prophet and khalifa (the Successor) of Allah that must be sinless) we can apply only those meanings which do not imply sin. If we take the meaning of ‘coming to haram(Forbidden)’, it is clear that Almighty Allah told Adam that if he went near that tree, he would put himself in trouble and hardship; but coming to harm is not a sin or crime.

We may apply, with equal force, the meaning of ‘making haste before time.’ In that case, it will mean that though Adam was destined ultimately to come on earth, but if he went near that tree, he would be sent there earlier and with much haste, it must be recognized that we have not invented any new meanings, but, at the same time, we have not declared Adam to be a sinner. One more note of explanation.