06 - Adam and Hawwa BOTH TEMPTED in “The Garden” - Ramadan Reflections 2023

On the sixth day of Ramadan 2023/1444, we review the theme of "Adam and Hawwa BOTH TEMPTED in “The Garden”." The event of Adam and Hawwa in the Garden is a unique event which is told in two different ways – the Old Testament of the Bible has one narrative while the Quran has the true narrative. The Bible clearly shows that the woman tempted the man – that is Eve tempted Adam – and so technically she is to blame for the downfall of the human being. However the Quran exonerates the woman and paints a radically different picture. In Chapter 7 (Sūrah al-Aʿrāf), Verses 19 to 22, the Quran details the event as such: (To Adam, He said): “O Adam! Dwell, you and your spouse, in the Garden, and eat (of the fruits) thereof where you desire, but do not approach this tree, or you will both be among the wrongdoers.” Then Satan made an evil suggestion to both of them that he might reveal to them their private parts that had remained hidden from them (and waken their carnal impulses), and he said: “Your Lord has forbidden you this tree only lest you should become sovereigns, or lest you should become immortals.” And he swore to them: “Truly, I am for you a sincere adviser.” Thus he led them on by delusion; and when they tasted the tree, their private parts (and all the apparently shameful, evil impulses in their creation) were revealed to them, and both began to cover themselves with leaves from the Garden. And their Lord called out to them: “Did I not prohibit you from that tree, and did I not say to you that Satan is a manifest enemy to you?” 7:19-22 If we study this verse carefully, especially by referring to the Arabic, we see a different picture than what is portrayed by the Bible.