The Light of Truth — Page 229
REFUTING OBJECTIONS Adam would be the first of the sons of the Lord of all the worlds; indeed there is greater discussion of Adam's status than that of Jesus. Ponder over the verse فَقَعُوا لَهُ سَجِدِينَ fall ye down in submission to him (i. e. Adam)]. ¹ Reflect like the people of understanding and ponder over the words خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَيَّ ]I had cre- ated (Adam) with My two hands]² and سَوَّيْتُهُ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِنْ رُّوحِ ]I have fashioned him in perfection and have breathed into him of My Spirit], and other statements, too, which make the glory of Adam and his lofty status clear to you. The above-mentioned verse indicates that the Spirit of Allah descended into Adam, and that this was a more luminous descent, so much so that Adam was made: worthy of prostration by the angels; the manifestation of His splendours; very near to Allah the Self- Sufficient; more knowledgeable and greater than all the angels; and Khalifatullah [the vicegerent of Allah] on earth. In contrast, the verse that was revealed about Jesus did not make him higher and loftier in status nor purer [than all others]; rather, it merely established that Jesus was Rūķun minallāh [a mercy from Allah] and a helpless servant-like other things and from among God's created beings. Iblīs did not prostrate before Jesus, but instead he called upon Jesus to prostrate before him. What's more, that Evil One put Jesus to a test, whereas all the angels of God submitted to Adam alto- gether. Further, Adam taught the angels the names of all things. This proves that he was more knowledgeable and that his secret encompassed heaven and earth. Jesus, on the other hand, con- ceded that he did not know when the Hour [of Judgement Day] would come; and he also indicated that the angels were greater than him in knowledge, and more perfect in their fear 1. Sūrah al-Hijr, 15:30 [Publisher] 2. Sūrah Şād, 38:76 [Publisher] 3. Surah al-Hijr, 15:30 [Publisher] 229