آدم
Ādam
Prophet
The first human being and, in Islam, the first prophet.
What it means
The Quran says God created Adam from clay (38:71, 15:26), taught him the names of things (2:31), and told the angels to prostrate to him. Iblis refused (2:34). Adam and his wife were told not to approach a tree, were led astray, and repented, and God accepted their repentance (2:37).
Often misunderstood as
That Islam teaches “original sin”, or that Adam’s mistake is held against all mankind.
What the sources say
Muslims believe the sin was Adam’s own, was forgiven, and was not inherited. The Quran says that “no bearer of burdens bears the burden of another” (6:164, 53:38). The angels’ prostration was an act of obedience to God’s command and not worship of Adam.