Honoring Adam or Rebuking the Angels?

The prostration to Adam was an act of worship directed towards God and an honor bestowed upon Adam, not a rebuke of the angels. The angels’ question, “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein?” was merely an inquiry, which does not necessitate punishment. Hence, neither is the initial question a form of disgrace, nor is the questioner disgraced. However, some great mystics have offered another perspective:

The statement “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein?” slightly tainted the purity of the angels, akin to the forgetfulness experienced by a worshipper during prayer, which is remedied by performing a prostration of forgetfulness (sajdat al-sahw). The angels, too, were commanded to prostrate to amend their claim. Therefore, this prostration was a form of mending and rectification, rather than a punishment or rebuke.(11)

Similarly, the angels’ act of seeking forgiveness for the believers may be seen as a mending of their earlier statement: “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood?”

Reminder:

The prostration to Adam was a significant blessing bestowed upon him, following the blessings of being chosen as God’s vicegerent, being taught the names, and becoming the teacher of the angels. This prostration marked the fourth honor granted to Adam.

The specific manner of the angels’ prostration to Adam was not explicitly detailed. Some have imagined it to be similar to the prostration in prayer, involving placing the forehead on the ground, while others have interpreted it as a form of complete humility and submission. Regardless, it is clear that this prostration was not an act of worship or adoration directed towards Adam, for Adam himself was but a servant of God. Instead, it can be understood that Adam was the leader of the angels in their pure and sincere worship of God Almighty.

Prostration can be categorized into three types, all of which are referenced in the verse: “Have they not considered what things God has created? Their shadows incline to the right and to the left, prostrating to God, and they are lowly. And to God prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures, and the angels [as well], and they are not arrogant” (16:48-49). This verse highlights the prostration of inanimate objects, plants, animals, humans, and angels—each demonstrating their unique forms of pure and material prostration, whether conscious or unconscious.