Sheikh Yusuf Estes, a former Christian preacher whose father was a minister, joins The Deen Show to discuss Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) — the first human being, the first prophet, and the father of all humanity. Understanding Adam’s story is essential because it reveals the original relationship between the Creator and His creation, and the timeless lesson of repentance and divine mercy.
Who Was Prophet Adam (Peace Be Upon Him)?
In Islam, Adam was not just the first human being — he was the first prophet. Allah created him with His own hands, breathed into him from His spirit, and taught him the names of all things. The angels were commanded to prostrate to Adam, and all of them obeyed except Iblis (Satan), whose arrogance led to his eternal expulsion from Allah’s mercy. Adam’s story teaches us that human beings hold a position of honor in creation, but that honor comes with the responsibility of obedience to Allah.
“In Islam, we have prophets (Anbiya) and among them are those who are super special — the Messengers (Rusul). All were sent with one unified message: worship Allah alone.” — Sheikh Yusuf Estes explaining the Islamic view of prophethood.
The First Sin and the First Repentance
Adam and his wife were placed in Paradise and given complete freedom, with one exception: they were told not to approach a certain tree. Satan deceived them, they ate from the tree, and immediately felt the consequences of their disobedience. But here is the critical difference between Islam and other faiths: Adam did not carry an “original sin” that condemned all of humanity. Instead, he turned to Allah in sincere repentance, and Allah — the Most Merciful — forgave him completely. This sets the pattern for all of humanity: we will sin, but the door of repentance is always open.
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” (Quran 7:23) — The dua of Prophet Adam, teaching every generation how to seek Allah’s forgiveness.
Lessons from Adam’s Story for Today
- There is no concept of inherited sin in Islam — every soul is born pure and is responsible only for its own deeds
- Repentance (tawbah) is between you and Allah directly — no priest, no intermediary, no confession booth needed
- Satan is the declared enemy of humanity — his goal since Adam’s time has been to lead people astray from the straight path
- Call upon Allah alone for guidance — do not put any human form or image to God; ask Him directly and He will respond
The story of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) is not just ancient history — it is a living lesson for every person alive today. We all make mistakes, but what defines us is whether we turn back to Allah in sincere repentance. He forgave the first man who ever sinned, and He will forgive you too. All you have to do is ask.
