Legends of the Patriarchs and Prophets

📖 The Scoop

According to the most authoritative Mussulman traditions, Adam was created on Fridayafternoon at the Assr-hour, or about three o'clock. The four archangels-Gabriel, Michael, Israfiel, and Asrael-were required to bring earth from the four quarters of the world, that therefrom Godmight fashion man. His head and breast were made of clay from Mecca and Medina, from the spotwhere later were the Holy Kaaba and the tomb of Mohammed. Although still lifeless, his beautyamazed the angels who had flocked to the gates of Paradise. But Eblis, envious of the beauty ofAdam's as yet inanimate form, said to the angels: "How can you admire a creature made of earth?From such material nothing but fragility and feebleness can come." However, most of the angelspraised God for what he had done.The body of Adam was so great, that if he stood up his head would reach into the seventhheaven. But he was not as yet endowed with a living soul. The soul had been made a thousand yearsbefore, and had been steeped all that while in the sea of light which flowed from Allah. God nowordered the soul to enter the body. It showed some indisposition to obey; thereupon Godexclaimed: "Quicken Adam against your will, and, as a penalty for your disobedience, you shall leavethe body sorely against your will." Then God blew the spirit against Adam with such force that itentered his nose, and ran up into his head, and as soon as it reached his eyes Adam opened them, and saw the throne of God with the inscription upon it: "There is no God but God, andMohammed is His prophet." Then the soul ran into his ears, and Adam heard the song of theangels; thereupon his tongue was unloosed, for by this time the soul had reached it, and he said,"Praise be to Thee, my Creator, one and only!" And God answered him: "For this purpose are youmade. You and your successors must pray to me, and you will find mercy and loving-kindness at myhands." Then the soul penetrated all the members, reaching last of all the feet of Adam, whichreceiving strength, he sprang up, and stood upon the earth. But when he stood upright he wasobliged to close his eyes, for the light of God's throne shining directly into them blinded them."What light is this?" he asked, as he covered his eyes with one hand, and indicated the throne withthe other. "It is the light of a prophet," God answered, "who will spring from thee in later ages. Bymine honor I swear, for him alone have I created the world. In heaven he bears the name of themuch lauded, and on earth he will be called Mohammed. Through him all men will be led out oferror into the way of truth."

Genre: Psychology / General (fancy, right?)