Why did Allah order the angels to prostrate to Adam (as) when Allah alone is deserving of that?

The command for the angels to prostrate to Adam (AS) is mentioned in the Qur’an in several verses, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:34), Surah Al-A’raf (7:11), and Surah Sad (38:72). This act was not one of worship but rather a gesture of honor, respect, and acknowledgment of Adam’s unique status as the first human being and a creation imbued with knowledge and a soul by Allah. Here’s an explanation:

1. Prostration as a Sign of Respect, Not Worship

• The prostration (sujood) commanded by Allah was not an act of worship to Adam but a symbolic gesture of respect and acknowledgment of his rank.
• Worship is solely for Allah, and the angels understood that this prostration was in obedience to Allah’s command, not an act of divinity toward Adam.

2. Adam’s Special Creation

• Allah created Adam with His own hands, as mentioned in Surah Sad (38:75):
  “He [Allah] said, ‘O Iblis, what prevented you from prostrating to the one I created with My two hands?'”
• Allah also breathed into Adam from His spirit (Ruh) and endowed him with knowledge, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:31):
  “And He taught Adam the names – all of them.”

3. A Test for the Angels and Iblis

• The command served as a test of obedience for the angels and Iblis. While the angels obeyed Allah immediately, Iblis refused out of arrogance, as described in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:34):
  “And [mention] when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate before Adam’; so they prostrated, except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.”
• This event highlighted the nature of Iblis’s pride and disobedience, which contrasted with the angels’ submission to Allah’s command.

4. Honoring Human Potential

• Adam (AS) represents humanity and the unique potential Allah has given to humans: the ability to learn, choose, and act with free will. The prostration symbolized the high status Allah granted to Adam and, by extension, humanity when they follow the guidance of Allah.

5. Submission to Allah’s Command

• The angels’ prostration was ultimately an act of obedience to Allah, who alone deserves worship. It demonstrated their complete submission to Allah’s will.

Conclusion

Allah’s command for the angels to prostrate to Adam (AS) underscores Adam’s unique creation, humanity’s potential, and the importance of obedience to Allah. It also serves as a lesson about humility, the dangers of arrogance, and the consequences of disobedience, as seen in the story of Iblis.

Here are the provided links from Islampidia.org:

1. Why Are Twins Born? What Does Islam Say About It? ^(https://www.blogquicker.com/goto/https://islampidia.org/%e0%a6%9c%e0%a6%ae%e0%a6%9c-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%9a%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%9a%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%95%e0%a7%87%e0%a6%a8-%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%af%e0%a6%bc-%e0%a6%87%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%ae-%e0%a6%95/)
2. What Happens If You Cry at Night? ^(https://www.blogquicker.com/goto/https://islampidia.org/%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%bf%e0%a6%a1%e0%a6%bc%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b2-%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a8%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%95%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%b2%e0%a7%87-%e0%a6%95/)
3. Animals in Islam ^(https://www.blogquicker.com/goto/https://islampidia.org/%e0%a6%87%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%b2%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%ae%e0%a7%87_%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%b6%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%96%e0%a6%bf/)