This reality only becomes apparent when we know that the...

This reality only becomes apparent when we know that the collection of twenty-six verses (verses 11 to 36) of the Qur`an in Suratul Araf (7) are directly addressing the (actual) children of Adam (‘a) as is seen when they are directly spoken to three times by the phrase, “O’ Children of Adam!” (يا بني آدم) as can be seen in the verses below: يَا بَـنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْـنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِـبَاساً... “O’ Children of Adam!

Surely we have sent down to you clothing…” [^3] يَا بَـنِي آدَمَ لاَ يَفْتِــنَـنَّكُمُ الشَّـيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُمْ... “O’ Children of Adam! Do not let Satan test you as He ousted your parents…” [^4] يَا بَـنِي آدَمَ إِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنْكُمْ... “O’ Children of Adam!

If there come to you Messengers from among yourselves…” [^5] In another instance in which the Qur`an speaks about the beginning of creation, we see the same wordings being used, such as in the following example: أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَا بَـنِي آدَمَ أَنْ لاَّ تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطَانَ...

“Did I not take a covenant from you, O children of Adam that you should not serve Satan?” [^6] This form of addressing (by Allah (awj)) is related to the period of the beginning of creation and is in accordance with that occasion and is not in reference to the time of the Noble Prophet of Islam (‘s). With this explanation, it becomes clear that the address in the verse under review is among the first Divine addresses at the time of the beginning of creation.

Thus, there is no substance in relating them to the issue of the finality of prophethood and the source of this error in judgment is due to not paying attention to the context of the verses.

A Consideration of the Context of the Verses and the Successively Narrated Ahadith Even though referring to that which comes before and after a particular verse (in understanding its true meaning) is one of the keys for a correct and accurate exegesis of the Qur`an, unfortunately, the context of the verse is effectual only when the verse under review is not proven to be independent of the verses which came before and after it.

When it is proven to be independent of the verses around it, then we cannot refer to the context of the verses in order to explain and comment upon it. A study of the verses of the Qur`an confirms the fact that sometimes (and we stress on the word sometimes) before the Qur`an finishes speaking about a particular topic, it may bring a new theme into the discussion.

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