Was Prophet Adam (May Allah Give Him Peace) the First Human Created by Allah?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Does the creation of mankind from clay in Quran 32:7 refer to Adam, and was Adam the first human?

Answer

Yes, the verse in question refers to Adam’s creation and the creation of the human species through him.

“That is the Knower of the seen and unseen—the Almighty, Most Merciful, Who has perfected everything He created. And He originated the creation of humankind from clay.” [Quran 32: 6-7]

This is the position mentioned by the authoritative experts of tafsir, such as Shaykh al-Islam Abu al-Su’ud, Imam Biqa’i, Imam Ibn’ Ashur, and others.

Description from the Hadith

The creation of Adam from clay is described in many hadith of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), such as:

“Indeed, Allah created Adam from a handful [of soil] taken from the entire earth, so human beings are as the earth is: white, red, black, and everything in between. Easygoing, harsh, and everything in between. Vile, pure, and everything in between.” [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi]

This hadith shows us that Adam was the first human beings, and that the saw material of his creation is reflected in the skin tones and character of his descendants.

We should accept all races are being the children of our common father (peace and blessings upon him), and strive to make our character like that of the best of Adam’s descendants, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace).

Allah bless you in both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began studying Arabic Grammar and Morphology whilst studying for a degree in English and History. After graduating, He traveled to Damascus and studied Arabic, Hanafi Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, and Logic with Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman Arjan al-Binsawi, Shaykh Husayn Darwish, Shaykh Muhammad Darwish, the late Shaykh Rashad Shams, and others. He then moved to Amman to continue his studies in those fields, as well as in Tafsir, Quranic Sciences, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Prophetic Biography, Prophetic Perfections and Traits, Rhetoric, Arabic Literature, and Tajwid. His teachers include Shaykh Ali Hani, Dr. Hamza al-Bakri, Dr Salah Abu al-Hajj, Dr Mansur Abu Zina, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Shaykh Ahmad Jammal, and others