SURAH AL-BAQARAH
Ayah 30
وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةً
قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيہَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيہَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ
وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ
قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
And when He (ie. Allah) said to the Angels, “Indeed I am placing a Khaleefah on Earth.”
They said, “Will You place in it someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood
while we glorify Your praises and sanctify/purify Your holiness?”
He said, “Indeed I, I know what you do not know.”
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It is about the story of Adam (a.s). The story is mentioned seven times in the Quran to suit the intended theme of each mentioning.
The 7 Surahs are:
1. Al-Baqarah (pg6),
2. Al-‘Araf (pg151),
3. Al-Hijr (pg263),
4. Al-Isra’ (pg288),
5. Al-Kahf (pg299),
6. Taha (pg320),
7. Sad (pg457).
Seven times represents seven days in a week. We are to continuously be vigilant against the tricks of the Syaithan and the stories are a reminder of how our father Adam (a.s) and his spouse were tricked.
إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةً
إِنِّى = Using “Indeed I” (harfu tawkid) in this sentence is an emphasis against any other form of idea or circumstances, eg. it NEGATES the idea that God initially intended humans to live in Paradise but due to circumstances ended up human living on Earth. This is false.
Placing human on Earth was decided and confirmed to happen. Unlike if we (i.e human) say that we are going to do something but it may not happen due to circumstances that arises.
The phrase of placing Adam (a.s) as Khaleefah on earth is only mentioned once in the Quran.
خَلِيفَةً
[Quran Surah Yunus 10:14]
"Then We made you successors خَلَـٰٓٮِٕفَ in the land after them so that We may observe how you will do."
"Khaleefah" is singular. "Khalaaif" is plural.
The mainstream understanding of “Khaleefah” (Ref. Ibn Katheer):
People reproducing generation after generation, century after century i.e replacing previous people in succession. In simple layman term will be "one that breeds".
Refining the meaning of Khaleefah based on the context of the story of Adam(a.s):
Khaleefah is a type of creature:
Having “Free Will”
Able to make it's own decision either to obey or disobey Allah.
Refer to here for more information on what is Free Will and creatures having Free Will.
The ability to “Think”
An intelligent being able to ask and intellectually looking for answers. The ability to solve problems.
Able to “Breed" to populate Earth
Able to sustain its population to replace those who died
To “Manage” the Earth
Eg. A farmer manages his farmland and is responsible for the well-being of the farmland. A father manages his family and so on.
What is needed by this Khaleefah to manage the Earth?
It is KNOWLEDGE. Subsequent ayaat will reveal the evident.
Khaleefah is to succeed a previous entity, not only in replacing within itself.
Below are the different opinions of scholars:
Khaleefah in replacement of the Angels
Khaleefah in replacement of the Jinns
Khaleefah in replacement of some humanoid creatures before humans
Khaleefah on earth after the Dinosaurs
Khaleefah as Vicegerant of Allah on earth
(1) Khaleefah in replacement of the Angels?
The first opinion for "Khaleefah" is of a breeding creature that frequently replace each other. One generation gone and another generation comes. A king replacing another king when the former dies. A civilization being replaced with another. A society being replaced with another and so on.
[Sahih Bukhary] From ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar, who said:
“The Prophet (s.a.w) led us in praying ‘Ishaa towards the end of his life. When he had said the salaam, he stood up and said: ‘Do you see this night of yours? One hundred years from now, there will not be anyone left of those who are on the face of the earth.’”
This is a new concept apart from the Angels. The Angels never die. Theirs was a one time creation. There were no generations. Only one generation since they do not breed. The leader of the Angels is still Jibreel(a.s) until this very day as decreed by Allah.
So this Khaleefah is "replacing" the old concept of the creation of intelligent beings.
One authority to manage a land passed to another authority. Through out history there has never been an empire or government that last forever. One generation of mankind succeeding another generation. This is because human lives are short unlike the Jinn where they live long lives.
The Jinns live long lives. Iblis was the leader of the devils from start to end. There was no change in leadership. The Jinn that lived a thousand years ago is still alive even though many new Jinns have been born. There was no clear replacement of generations.
So now we understand better what the term “Khaleefah” is.
(2) Khaleefah in replacement of the Jinns?
Many scholars said that mankind as "Khaleefah" on earth was a replacement of the Jinn that had been living on earth for so long. Remember that the original meaning of "Khaleefah" is "successor". The reign of the Jinn with some level of intelligence apart from the animals was over. This new breed of Khaleefah has higher level of intelligence to breed and manage earth.
Our opinion: However, in subsequent ayah, the Angels said that mankind will spill blood, etc. They have seen how the previous breed had been spilling blood among them. The Jinns are spiritual beings of unseen energy. They are non physical beings. Do the Jinns have blood in their body system?
(3) Khaleefah in replacement of some humanoid creatures before humans?
After thinking hard, some scholars have the opinion that mankind probably was succeeding previous physical humanoid creatures with blood circulating in their body system. They were less intelligent than human but a bit smarter than animals. They were savage in their interaction with each other, spilling blood for survival. These might be some kind of ape like creatures.
Our opinion: This theory is dangerously close towards human evolution from apes. Allah created Adam (a.s) as a brand new breed with no prior evolution process. Other types of humanoid creatures (like the Apes) may exist before man but in no way that man evolved from those creatures.
(4) Khaleefah on earth after the Dinosaurs?
Some guessed that humans were as a successor after the Dinosaurs were wiped out of the face of the earth. The earth before human were filled with dinosaurs and they eat each other (spilled blood) for survival. There were never an incident when human and dinosaurs co-exist together at the same time. Man came after the dinosaurs were wiped out.
(5) Khaleefah as Vicegerant of Allah on earth?
Some understood "Khaleefah" as "Vicegerant" on Earth, as in Yusuf Ali and Al-Maududi translations.
What is the definition of a vicegerant ?
A person who is chosen to represent a ruler with authority.
Eg. He now ruled over parts of the kingdom as the King’s vicegerent. The King entrusted his kingdom to his vicegerent. The king has no control of the far away lands hence he appointed vicegerants to have authority over the people.
Mankind as Vicegerant?
Vicegerant is not a good translation for mankind as Khaleefah. It is as if Allah has fully entrusted Earth to Humans and He has relinquished control of Earth to the humans. It is also unsuitable to understand Vicegerant as Khaleefah since the word Khaleefah (or Caliph) means to replace a previous Ruler. Humans are not here to replace Allah's sovereignty over earth.
Our opinion: Due to political reasons, some may misunderstood that Muslims need to establish authority, entrusted to rule and control over nations, which is not the intended context of ayah 30.
Adam (a.s) and Righteous people as a Vicegerant?
Other scholar will say that Adam (a.s) was a Vicegerant, as if the First Caliph for earth. Righteous people will follow up as the Khaleefah replacing Adam (a.s) and so on. They reeled in this narrative from this ayah:
[Sad 38:26]
يَـٰدَاوُۥدُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰكَ خَلِيفَةً فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ
“O Dawood! We have surely made you an authority (Khaleefah) in the land, so judge between people with truth."
Our opinion: This reasoning of righteous people as "Khaleefah" is out of context from this ayah (Al-Baqarah:30). The context of Surah Sad:26 (mentioned above) was that Prophet Dawood (David) was a King. As King he had authority of the people he ruled. So he was a Khaleefah "Caliph" to his people. But people like you and me is not a King but we are still called as Khaleefah.
Allah gathered the Angels and proudly made a declaration in placing a Khaleefah on Earth and not in paradise. It was an honorable role given to mankind to manage the earth.
This is unlike the Christian’s belief that human was created to live blissfully in paradise but because of Adam’s mistake, God sent human to Earth to suffer as punishment. It was a shame to be put on earth. This is what they believed.
Because of differences in narratives, it resulted in different opinions of why there are sufferings on Earth between Christianity and Islam:
Christianity: Humans on Earth have to go through sufferings as punishment of God for Adam’s original sin. Jesus was planned to suffer and be killed on the cross so that anyone who believed that he died for their sins can sinlessly enter Paradise. Because of the love of God towards humans, he made his son (which is himself ) to suffer on behalf of the believers so that they can blissfully enter Paradise. All those who disbelieve that Jesus died for their sins will go to Hell. The Christians believed that Jesus (as 1 of the 3-in-1 God) willingly sacrificed his life letting the Romans torture and kill him because of his love for the believers.
Islam: This life is a Test by Allah (The uniquely ONE God) and anyone who passed the Test will enter Paradise. “Enjoyment”, “Sufferings” and “anything in between” are all Tests to justify which one of you did deserving acts to go to Paradise or Hell.
Humans are not here as a sign of punishment. There is no need to baptize babies in washing off the sin of Adam and Eve. I never eat from the forbidden tree in paradise. Why should I bear the sin committed by another person. Allah already decided to create humans to populate the earth. The story of Adam(a.s) was a lesson for his progeny to contemplate on Adam's humbleness and obedience vs Iblees arrogance and rebellion .
Proceeding with the story:
قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيہَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيہَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَۖ
They said, “Will You place in it (i.e the Earth) someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and sanctify/purify Your holiness?”
The moment the Angels heard the mentioning of a new “Khaleefah” on earth, they associated it with the creatures currently residing on Earth (i.e. before the creation of man). In our document, we will assume they were the Jinns.
Who are the Jinns? Refer here for some description of what are Jinns.
Evidence that Jinn (a type of breeding creature) was created before mankind:
[al-Hijr, 15:26-27]
“We created man from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape; And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.”
The above ayah was what made most scholars to say that the Jinns were the ones that the Angels made in comparison with humans.
Evidences that the Jinn are residing on Earth alongside humans (i.e when humans has populate the earth). There are many but we just list two of them:
[al-Jinn, 72:1]
“Say (O Muhammad SAW): "It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened (to this Qur'ân recitation). They said: 'Verily! We have heard a wonderful Recitation.”
[Sahih Muslim]
He (the Holy Prophet) said: There came to me an inviter on behalf of the Jinn and I went along with him and recited to them the Qur'an. He (the narrator) said: He then went along with us and showed us their traces and traces of their embers.
Most people associate any unseen spirit as Ghost. “Ghosts” are not spirit of dead humans. “Ghosts” are Jinns. In our modern era, via modern technology, there are many proven incidents of the existence of “Ghosts” on Earth.
The Angels were wondering why would Allah create another breeding creature on Earth?
They said, “Will You place in it (i.e the Earth) someone who will spread corruption there and shed blood while we glorify Your praises and sanctify/purify Your holiness?”
Why need to create beings that causes corruption (evil) and shed blood (killing each other) while We Angels are already exalting YOU in Praise and constantly declare YOUR perfection? The Angels are comparing themselves with this new creature. They thought that this creature will not be able to live up to the PERFECTION of Allah as the Perfect CREATOR. (Notice that the Angels can think for themselves).
From many ayaat in the Quran or Hadith, we understand that the Angels are not like “Robots” who are just following Programming codes. From their questions, we know that they can personally think and understand. The ability to reason but they do not have the ability to disobey. No Free Will. Refer here on the Free Will of Angels.
How did the Angels know that this would-be Khaleefah will “spread corruption there and shed blood”?
The opinion of ibnu Abbas(r.a) that the Angels have seen how the Jinns conducted themselves on Earth and assumed that the new Khaleefah having the same free will and desires will follow in their footsteps.
The Angels asking the question was not because of doubts in the wisdom of Allah. That’s why they immediately said we glorify Your praises and sanctify/purify Your holiness to affirm of Allah’s wisdom. Allah did not get angry or forbade them from asking. Their question was to get better understanding not of rejection.
Tadabbur: In our context, when a non-muslim, a young child or a fresh revert ask you questions that may seem like they are having doubts in the religion, we are not to get angry or forbid them from asking. It may be that it was a sincere question asking for clarification.
Gathering the reasons why the Angels were asking Allah:
Since there were already evils on Earth, they were thinking of the perfection of Allah by not putting in more evils. It may be “logical” to think that Allah should put the Angels on Earth who never commit sins. The Angels who never disobey Allah will be the representation of the perfection of Allah to manifest on Earth. Mankind with its sinful nature will be a sign of disregard to the perfection of Allah. It seemed that the Angels made a “logical” claim.
How do the Angels have none of the bad qualities of the Jinns and Humans?
The answer is in their words:
وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ
“while we glorify Your praises and sanctify/purify Your holiness”
The actions of the Angels are the opposite of the actions of Jinn and Mankind, i.e. “spread corruption there and shed blood”.
From the Ayaat, wee see that the Angels were emphasizing that they were constantly "exalting and praising" Him. The constant "Hamd" to Allah by the Angels, is what sustaining their constant obedience to the Master.
In an ideal case, we are to do the same constant "Hamd" (Praise and Gratitude) towards our Creator and Master but we are not perfect like the Angels. The gaps in the "Hamd" of Allah caused us to fall into sins or mistakes that can effect our situation in the hereafter.
Hence, one of the core deeds in our Deen is to ask for forgiveness from Allah everyday since we cannot sustain the "Hamd" non stop every second.
The Prophet s.a.w asking Allah for forgiveness more than 70 times a day. The Prophet s.a.w taught Aisha this do'a of asking for Forgiveness in the month of Ramadhan:
Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee
"O Allah, You are Pardoning and you love pardon, so pardon me."
Therefore the lack of “Hamd” (i.e God consciousness, “glorifying”, “praising”, “sanctifying/purifying” Allah’s holiness) will cause evil to manifest and spread. “Hamd” determines the balance between righteousness and sins.
The Angels were wondering how could a creature having very little Hamd of Allah and closer to destroying each other will be Khaleefah on earth?
People who had suffered and at the receiving end of evil, will ask God, “Why not just make mankind like Angels who never do evil and never experience sufferings?”
So that the world is a perfect place.
So that children will not suffer from abuse.
So that people will not suffer from war and destruction.
So that humans can live in peace forever.
Why did God create the imperfect humans to suffer on earth??
Atheists asked these questions that make them believed that there is actually no God to begin with. We are not created by God and was just a product of accidental biology. If there is a perfect God, surely humans should be perfect and living blissfully on earth. Why not God create a perfect earth and perfect humans?
(1) Atheist wish to live perfectly in bliss with no hardship and suffering.
That is living in Heaven or Paradise, not Earth.
God intended to put humans on Earth with a purpose.
(2) Atheist wish that humans do not commit sins.
That is an Angel, not human.
If humans are exactly like Angels, then there is no point in creating humans and no point in creating Earth.
Conclusion: If Earth is not paradise and humans are not Angels, then what is the goal of being human living on Earth?
[Quran 51:56]
وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ
"I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
If the job of mankind is to worship Allah, then the Angels are a better worshiper of Allah than humans.
[Quran 49:13]
"Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (Taqwa) of you."
[Sahih Muslim]
Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.
The goal of being human is to strive in becoming righteous, having Taqwa. Why?
If the majority chose to be righteous (having Taqwa), the world will be a safer place. The end result for the Muttaqeen (people with Taqwa) is that they deserve to return back to Paradise.
Allah replied to the question of why put another breeding creature on Earth by saying:
إِنِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
“Indeed I, I know what you do not know.”
إِنِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ = (If you know Arabic grammar) We see that the word “I” is mentioned twice = “Indeed I, I know”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
إِنِّىٓ (Inna harfu tawkid wa naSbin, al-Ya’ mutakallim ismu inna mansub) = Indeed I
أَعۡلَمُ (Fi’il mudhari’, Fa’il ana, Jumlah fi’il wa fa’il khabr inna marfu’) = I know
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Indeed I, I know what you do not know.”
It is a show of great emphasis. A negation of the “doubts” of the Angels. Absolutely no doubt that I am the All Knowing and I know everything of what I’m doing that you do not know. Trust me. You do not have the capacity to understand right now.
In Layman terms = "I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING! "
It meant that it is not the time yet for all of you (Angels) to comprehend the reason and the brilliant of My Creation. You wait and you will be amazed at this creature.
For an Atheist who reads the Qur’an up to this ayah, will think that this is not a reasonable reply. It was like someone doing something that seems illogical and when asked "why are you doing this?", the person just answered, "I know what I'm doing" without explanation. It did not answer the question.
He has to be patient and continue reading. Subsequent ayaat will tell us that Allah did reply to the Angels in a practical manner and the replies kept going until the present day and beyond.
Allah was proud to declare that He knows why this Khaleefah was created. With all the desires, temptations, physical weakness, dislikes of rules and prohibition, forgetfulness and distraction from the Hamd of Allah, to be arrogant, having free will to disobey, and yet some of them overcome all that by choosing to be pious in worshiping Allah and controlling themselves from evil desires. Choosing Taqwa becoming slaves of Allah over personal desires.
This is super amazing! The Angels should be amazed too as Angels do not have those physical weakness or temptations. It will be easy for Angels to obey, doing the Hamd and worship Allah compared to humans.
Tadabbur: “Indeed I, I know what you do not know.”
1. This is teaching us to put trust in Allah in whatever circumstances since He knows everything. Sometimes something bad happens to you and you have no idea what is the “hikmah” (blessings/wisdom) behind it. Allah knows everything and He knows why this is happening to you. Due to His Wisdom, something that seemed bad to you is better for you in order to save you from something that is far worse (eg. going to Hell after Judgement Day).
2. Even though the Angels were true in saying that mankind will spread corruption and spill blood, however there exists people who are pious and striving for Taqwa and that was enough to make Allah very proud of them in front of the Angels. Knowing this will boost and encourage us to increase our worship and good deeds to please our Master despite the difficulties and challenges of being a weak creature. He knows your struggles, your difficulties and in spite of that you are able to maintain your Taqwa. He is proud to showcase you to the Angels (like how he showcased Adam (a.s) to them in the next ayah) to prove to the Angels the justification of the creation of Khaleefah on Earth and why this Khaleefah is superior than the Angels.
People of Taqwa = The Muttaqeen in the likes of the Prophets/Messengers and people who live by the teachings of the Prophets (Peace upon them all). This is one practical reply to the Angels’ question. The next ayah will showcase another reason for the creation of Adam (a.s).
Humans are intellectually superior than Jinn. How about the spiritual aspect ?
Spiritually Human are superior than Jinn. There were no Prophets (Nabi) or Messengers (Rasul) that were appointed among the Jinns. (It might be that they are not capable to take on this job). Even with a weak physical make-up, the Human Nabi and Rasul have a spiritual strength exceeding any Jinn.Created with so many weaknesses and shortcomings, having the freedom to choose and to fulfill one's desire and temptation with no intervention, YET many decided to be Slaves of Allah.
This is what Allah time and time again showcasing to the Angels, I KNOW WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW.
When Allah spoke to the Angels, do the Angels hear a voice and in what language? Or is it just an inspiration in their mind?
قَالَ = “He said” – is a Verb with a doer. Hence not mere inspiration. However there is no evidence of how it was spoken and in what language or sound.