Verse 30
The Rocky Tract • makkah
View Aspects
32:10; 38:73.
2:35; 7:12; 17:62; 18:51; 20:117.
Commentary:
In the present verse the example of the man who, in the beginning of human civilized life, achieved moral and spiritual perfection has been cited, and we are told that he was vouchsafed Divine revelation and angels were pressed into his service and were made to carry out his programme and plans. The mention of man or Adam here implies that the descending of the Word of God upon man and its preservation and protection have gone on from the beginning of creation.
The pronoun "him" in the expression سویته (I have fashioned him) refers not only to Adam but to every human being; for it is into every man that God breathes His spirit and angels are also appointed to serve him. When a peasant, for instance, ploughs his land and casts his seed in it, the angels are bidden to help him and produce the results of his labour. Thus the injunction, fall ye down in submission to him, given to the angels holds good for every human being. It appears from the Quran that whereas all things are subject to the control of angels, all things have been created for the service of man (45:14). This shows that angels are employed in the service of mankind.
32:10; 38:73.
2:35; 7:12; 17:62; 18:51; 20:117.
By the word "angels" is meant the whole of creation, because angels constitute the first link of all creation and, as such, a command given to them really applies to the whole of creation. It is significant that whereas elsewhere the Qur’an speaks of the command of God to the angels to submit to "Adam", in the present and the following verses the word used is "man". Thus both these words have been used synonymously in the Qur’an. The command given to angels with regard to Adam applies to every man. Into every man God breathes His Spirit and angels are commanded to serve him. Man is God’s vicegerent on earth and in his person he reflects Divine attributes.