The story of Prophet Adam, the first human, for kids

Every story of the Prophets begins with Adam, alayhis salaam. His story answers some of the first big questions children ask: where did the first person come from, who is Shaitan, and what do we do when we make a mistake? Here it is retold from the Qur’an in words you can read aloud, with the lessons, questions to ask afterwards and where each part is in the Qur’an.

Who was Prophet Adam?

Adam, alayhis salaam, was the first human Allah created, and the first Prophet. Every person born since is one of his children, which is why the Qur’an calls all people “children of Adam” (7:27), and tells us that Allah has honoured the children of Adam (17:70).

The story of Prophet Adam, to read aloud

The numbers in brackets are the surah and ayah, for you rather than for reading aloud. When you say his name, add “alayhis salaam”: peace be upon him.

A long time ago, before there were any people on the earth, Allah told the angels: “I am going to place on the earth a khalifah,” someone to live there and look after it (2:30).

Then Allah made Adam, alayhis salaam, from clay (15:26). When Allah had shaped him, He breathed life into him (15:29), and Adam became the very first human.

Allah taught Adam the names of all things (2:31). Then Allah asked the angels to tell Him those names. The angels said: “Glory be to You! We know nothing except what You have taught us” (2:32). Then Adam told them the names, just as Allah had taught him (2:33).

Allah told the angels to bow down to Adam, and they all bowed at once, because Allah had told them to (2:34). But Iblis, who is Shaitan, was there too. He was one of the jinn, not an angel (18:50), and he refused. He was proud. “I am better than him,” he said. “You made me from fire, and You made him from clay” (7:12).

Allah let Adam live in Paradise with his wife, Hawwa. “Eat from it freely, wherever you like,” Allah said, “but do not go near this one tree” (2:35).

But Shaitan whispered to them. He made the tree sound special (20:120), and he promised them he only wanted to help them (7:21). Adam forgot what Allah had told him (20:115), and they both ate from the tree (20:121).

At once, they felt very sorry. They did not make excuses. Together they said: “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers” (7:23).

And Allah, the Most Forgiving, forgave them (2:37).

Then Allah sent them down to live on the earth. He promised to send guidance, and whoever follows it will have nothing to fear and nothing to be sad about (2:38).

On the earth, Adam taught his children to worship Allah alone. And every person born since then is one of his children. That means you, too!

What does the story of Adam teach children?

• Allah made us, and honoured us. He made Adam with care, taught him, and gave his children an honoured place (17:70).
• Pride is Shaitan’s way. Iblis disobeyed because he thought he was better than someone else. Being humble is the way of the believers.
• When we do wrong, we say sorry to Allah. Adam and Hawwa did not blame anyone. They said “we have wronged ourselves” and asked Allah to forgive them.
• Allah loves to forgive. He forgave them, and He forgives anyone who truly turns back to Him.
• Shaitan is not our friend. He pretended to be helpful. Allah warns the children of Adam not to let Shaitan trick them (7:27).

What can I ask my child after the story?

1. What did Allah make Adam from?
2. What did Allah teach Adam?
3. Who would not bow down, and why?
4. What did Adam and Hawwa do when they made a mistake?
5. What can we say to Allah when we do something wrong?

What age is the story of Adam for?

From about four, tell it as above: Allah made the first person, taught him, and forgave him. Children of this age can learn the idea that Shaitan whispers bad ideas, and that we can say “a’udhu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajim” when he does, seeking refuge in Allah (7:200). From six or seven, teach the dua of Adam (7:23). From about eight, talk about why Allah calls people a khalifah on the earth (2:30), and what it means to look after the world Allah gave us.

Where is the story of Adam in the Qur’an?

• Al-Baqarah 2:30-38: The khalifah, the names, the angels bow, the tree, forgiveness
• Al-A’raf 7:11-27: Iblis’s pride, the whisper, the dua of Adam
• Al-Hijr 15:26-35; Sad 38:71-76: Made from clay; life breathed into him
• Al-Kahf 18:50: Iblis was of the jinn
• Ta-Ha 20:115-123: Adam forgot; Allah chose him and guided him

Which ilmbee book tells the story of Adam?

Adam: The First Human, the First Prophet (Book 27) tells this story for children aged 4 to 11, and the retelling above follows it. It is narrated, like every book in Series 01: with Read to me, each word lights up as it is read; with Watch, the pages turn by themselves. The first three books of the series are free to read now. After Adam, many families go on to the story of Prophet Nuh.

The books in this guide

From ilmbee Series 01, 100 illustrated books read in order. The first 3 are free to read.

• Book 27Adam: The First Human, the First ProphetProphets & Quran Stories

Frequently asked questions

Was Adam the first Prophet in Islam?

Yes. Muslims believe Adam, alayhis salaam, was both the first human and the first Prophet, who taught his children to worship Allah alone.

What was Prophet Adam made from?

From clay. The Qur’an says Allah created him from clay, from dried, ringing clay (15:26; 38:71), then breathed life into him (15:29).

Why did Shaitan refuse to bow to Adam?

Because of pride. Iblis said, “I am better than him: You created me from fire and created him from clay” (7:12).

What dua did Prophet Adam make?

“Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa in lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lanakunanna minal-khasirin”: our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers (7:23).

Did Allah forgive Adam?

Yes. Allah accepted his repentance, for He is the One who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful (2:37), and then chose him and guided him (20:122).

Who was the wife of Prophet Adam?

Hawwa. The Qur’an speaks of her as Adam’s wife, made as his companion (2:35; 7:189), and Muslims know her by the name Hawwa.

Sources

Qur'an references are given as surah:ayah, with the meaning in plain English. Hadith are from the collections named.

• Qur’an 2:30-38 (Al-Baqarah): a successor on the earth; Adam taught the names; the angels bow, Iblis refuses; the Garden and the tree; Shaytan makes them slip; Adam receives words from his Lord and is forgiven; go down, and guidance will come.
• Qur’an 7:11-27 (Al-A’raf): Iblis says “I am better than him, You created me from fire and him from clay” (7:12); Shaytan whispers and swears he is a sincere adviser (7:20-21); the dua “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves” (7:23); O children of Adam, let not Shaytan tempt you (7:27).
• Qur’an 15:26-35 (Al-Hijr) and 38:71-76 (Sad): man created from clay; when I have proportioned him and breathed into him, fall down in prostration.
• Qur’an 18:50 (Al-Kahf): Iblis was of the jinn.
• Qur’an 20:115-123 (Ta-Ha): Adam forgot; Shaytan whispered about the tree of eternity; they ate of it; his Lord chose him, turned to him and guided him.
• Qur’an 7:189 (Al-A’raf): created you from one soul and made from it its mate.
• Qur’an 17:70 (Al-Isra): We have honoured the children of Adam.
• Qur’an 7:200 (Al-A’raf): if an evil suggestion comes to you from Shaytan, seek refuge in Allah.