The Superiority of Adam, peace be upon him, Over The Angels And The Rest of The Creatures
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (73)
There is no disagreement among scholars that Adam, peace be upon him, is superior to the jinn and devils. The only ones left to compare are the angels. There has been a debate regarding whether the prophets or the angels are superior. The prostration of the angels to Adam is used as evidence that the prophets are better than the angels. The reasoning is that prostration signifies the utmost humility, and it is inconceivable for it to occur except from the inferior to the superior. Additionally, there are other arguments supporting the superiority of the prophets over the angels, such as the fact that Adam possesses greater knowledge than the angels, and the knowledgeable are the best. This is further supported by Allah's statement: {Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ʿImran over the worlds –} [Ali 'Imran : 33].
The term "the worlds" refers to everything besides Allah, and thus the angels are included among the created beings. Additionally, angels serve as guardians, while the children of Adam are those who are being protected. The protected (the children of Adam) are more honored and noble than the protectors (the angels). There are other arguments used by those who advocate for the superiority of the prophets over the angels.
Ibn Taymiyyah, after a lengthy discussion on the superiority of the prophets and righteous human beings over the angels, stated: "I have not known of anyone among the Companions who disagrees with that. This is the prevailing view among those affiliated with the Sunnah from the followers of the four imams and others, which is that the prophets and saints are superior to the angels."
Al-Shawkani said: Many scholars have occupied themselves with matters that are neither necessary nor beneficial; specifically, the question of whether the angels are superior to the prophets or the prophets are superior to the angels.
It is more likely that the prophets and allies of Allah are considered better in the sight of Allah than the angels. This is because the faith of the angels is innate, and their worship of Allah is instinctual; they have no will or choice in that regard. They turn to Him without effort, striving, or training, as Allah has created them in this manner. They fulfill their duties without fatigue, laziness, or boredom.
As for humans, Allah has assigned them a responsibility, and the prophets and righteous individuals have fulfilled Allah’s commands through their own choice, effort, diligence, and striving. They have overcome obstacles, distractions, and temptations, struggling against their own selves, refraining from what Allah has prohibited, and rising to high ranks through Allah’s grace, which has guided and aided them. Just as the disbelieving human is deemed lower than animals in Allah’s sight due to their failure to fulfill their obligations, the righteous human, who rises above their weaknesses and strives against themselves, is considered better in Allah’s eyes than the angels, who perform their worship without effort or struggle.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 523-525.
- Biography of Adam, Al-Khalidi, p. 75.
- Fath al-Qadir, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shawkani, 4/334.
- Collection of Fatwas, Ibn Taymiyyah, 1/372.
- The Story of Adam, Abu Bakr, p. 121.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
