فَسَجَدَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ 73
Translations
So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely,
Transliteration
Fa-sajada al-mala'ikatu kulluhum ajma'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam, and they all obeyed completely without exception. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this prostration was an act of obedience to Allah's command, not worship of Adam himself, demonstrating the angels' immediate submission to divine instruction. This event occurred before Iblis refused to obey, which led to his eventual expulsion from Allah's mercy.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the narrative of Surah Sad which recounts the story of Adam's creation and the command to the angels to prostrate before him. The surah emphasizes Allah's wisdom in creation and tests of obedience. The context immediately precedes Iblis's refusal to prostrate, highlighting the contrast between the angels' obedience and Iblis's arrogance and disobedience.
Related Hadiths
The story is referenced in various ahadith concerning the creation of Adam and the angels' response. Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained that the angels prostrated in obedience to Allah's command, not to Adam as an act of worship. This is confirmed in the tafsir traditions of Muslim scholars.
Themes
Key Lesson
True obedience to Allah means submitting completely to His commands without hesitation or exception, as exemplified by the angels' unanimous prostration. The ayah reminds us that respecting the creations and deputies of Allah is part of obeying Him, and serves as a warning against arrogance and refusal to obey divine instruction.