Quick Guide: Adam Vs. Iblis

• Allah instructs believers to be mindful of Him and to live in a state of submission, as the timing of death is unknown. 
• A key part of this mindfulness is how one responds to mistakes, which are an inherent part of human nature. 
• Mistakes can either lead to destruction or become the start of a path toward repentance and growth that leads to salvation. While mistakes are inevitable, the choice of how to respond determines whether the outcome is harmful or beneficial.
• The way to avoid the path to destruction and follow the path to Paradise depends on one’s madhhab, understood here as a person’s routine, process, or approach. Since everyone makes mistakes, it is essential to examine how they respond—what patterns of behavior follow an error and how it is addressed. 
• This can be illustrated through two stories from the Quran, which show contrasting approaches to mistakes and the consequences of each.
• The first story from the Quran recounts the actions of Iblis. When all the angels prostrated to Adam عليه السلام, Iblis refused to do so. When asked why, he replied that he would not bow to a human created from clay. Allah expelled him from Paradise, declaring him cursed until the Day of Judgment. Iblis requested a reprieve until the Day of Resurrection, which Allah granted. Following this, Iblis vowed to mislead humans on earth and tempt them into sin, except for Allah’s sincere servants.
• The second story from the Quran recounts the experience of Adam عليه السلام and Hawa عليها السلام. After eating from the forbidden tree, they realized their nakedness and covered themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Allah reminded them that He had forbidden the tree and warned that Satan was their clear enemy. In response, Adam and Hawa admitted their mistake, acknowledging that they had wronged themselves and that without Allah’s forgiveness and mercy, they would surely be among the losers.
• The Quran highlights two madhhabs—two approaches to responding to mistakes. 
• The first is exemplified by Iblis, whose approach began with blaming others. He arrogantly claimed that Allah had led him astray and used this as justification for defiance, directing blame even at the Creator. This extreme arrogance prevented him from taking accountability, a pattern reflected in those who shift fault onto others in their daily lives. Allah warns that such a path leads to destruction, as seen in Iblis being expelled and cursed until the Day of Judgment. 
• Shaytan’s approach to mistakes combines revenge and the desire to mislead others. Driven by arrogance, he blamed Allah, sought to spread his pain, and led humans astray, showing how misery spreads through those who refuse accountability. This pattern exists among some humans as well, illustrating the destructive path of arrogance and defiance.
• Reflecting on Iblis’ actions is meant for self-examination, not blaming others. It calls for recognizing whether one avoids admitting mistakes or seeks revenge when wronged. Allah warns in the Quran not to follow the footsteps of Shaytan, whose path leads only to harm. 
• The second story from the Quran illustrates the madhhab of Adam عليه السلام and Hawa عليها السلام. After eating from the forbidden tree, they immediately admitted their wrongdoing, acknowledged the harm they had done to themselves, and sought Allah’s mercy without making excuses or shifting blame. Their response exemplifies humility and accountability, in stark contrast to Iblis’ arrogance and blame.
• The second aspect of Adam عليه السلام and Hawa عليها السلام’s madhhab was to immediately cease the disobedience they had committed. By stopping the sin, they demonstrated accountability and sincerity in their repentance. True tawbah requires a genuine effort to turn away from wrongdoing, showing commitment to change. Every human errs, but those who repent and actively leave their sins exemplify the proper approach. Even small steps away from sin signify sincerity and mark the beginning of a transformative process.
• The third element of Adam عليه السلام and Hawa عليها السلام’s Madhhab was seeking Allah’s forgiveness through sincere tawbah. By acknowledging their wrongdoing and asking for mercy, they demonstrated the essential step of istighfar in repentance. 
• This naturally connects to the fourth element: recognizing that their actions warranted punishment. Their words reflect an awareness that without Allah’s forgiveness, they would be among the losers, showing humility and accountability. 
• The fifth aspect of Adam عليه السلام and Hawa عليها السلام’s Madhhab is maintaining hope in Allah’s mercy. True repentance requires trust in Allah’s forgiveness, as losing hope is a trick of Shaytan, just as excessive arrogance is. Too much fear can lead to despair, while excessive pride can lead to disobedience, as exemplified by Shaytan. Allah’s mercy is vast and all-encompassing, able to forgive even the greatest of sins. Adam and Hawa demonstrated this balance by admitting their wrongdoing, stopping the sin, seeking forgiveness, acknowledging the consequences of their actions, and holding firm hope in Allah’s mercy. 
• The actions of Adam عليه السلام and Hawa عليها السلام provide a clear Madhhab for responding to mistakes. Their approach involved acknowledging errors without blaming others, ceasing the sin immediately, seeking Allah’s forgiveness, humbling themselves by recognizing the consequences of their actions, and maintaining steadfast hope in Allah’s mercy. 
• This stands in stark contrast to Iblis’ path, defined by arrogance, blame, revenge, and the desire to mislead others. 
• The essential reflection is personal: when mistakes occur, does one follow the path of Adam and Hawa or that of Iblis?