وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ 116
Translations
And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam," and they prostrated, except Iblees; he refused.
Transliteration
Wa-idh qulna lil-mala'ikati asjudoo li-Adam fa-sajadoo illa Iblis aba
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the command of Allah to the angels to prostrate to Adam as a sign of honor and respect, which they obeyed except for Iblis (Satan). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that this prostration was an act of honor and obedience to Allah's command, not worship, as worship belongs only to Allah. Iblis's refusal out of arrogance and his belief that he was superior due to being created from fire rather than clay became the catalyst for his rebellion and eventual expulsion from Allah's mercy.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Taha's broader narrative about the creation of Adam and the establishment of human dignity in Islam. It appears within the Meccan period and establishes a crucial theological point: that humanity holds a special place in creation, which refutes pre-Islamic Arabian notions of human insignificance and sets the stage for understanding Satan's enmity toward mankind throughout the Quran.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'When Allah created Adam, He said to the angels, "Go and greet Adam." So they said, "As-salamu alaikum," and Adam replied, "Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh." This shows the honor given to Adam. Additionally, a hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah describes Iblis's refusal and his claim of superiority.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true greatness comes from humility and obedience to Allah's commands, as exemplified by the angels, while arrogance and pride—no matter one's perceived status—lead to destruction, as with Iblis. For modern believers, it emphasizes that respecting human dignity and honoring Allah's creation is a sacred duty, while rejecting arrogance in favor of submission to the Divine will is the path to honor and success.