Do Muslims believe in Adam and Eve?
Yes. Muslims believe Adam and Eve were the first two human beings, created by God, and that all people descend from them. Adam is also honored as the first prophet. The story is close to the one in Genesis, with two big differences: Eve isn't blamed alone, and there is no original sin passed on to humanity.
Adam and Eve in the Quran
The Quran tells their story in several places, mostly in Surah al-Baqarah (chapter 2) and Surah al-A'raf (chapter 7). Adam is named; his wife is called "his mate" or "his wife", and Islamic tradition knows her as Hawwa (Eve).
- A special creation: God created Adam from clay and breathed life into him.
- Honored from the start: God told the angels He was placing a "successive authority" (khalifah, a steward) on earth (Quran 2:30), and taught Adam the names of things.
- The garden: Adam and his wife lived in Paradise and were told not to approach one tree.
- The mistake: Satan (Iblis) whispered to both of them, and they both ate from it.
The Prophet ﷺ also said that God created Adam tall and taught him to greet the angels with "As-salamu alaikum" (peace be upon you), which became the greeting of his children (Sahih al-Bukhari 3326).
Eve isn't blamed alone
In the Quran, the mistake is shared. Satan tempted them both, they both ate, and they both repented together with this prayer:
Many Muslims still make this dua (personal prayer) today when they've done something wrong.
No original sin
God forgave them: "Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance" (Quran 2:37). Because it was forgiven, Muslims believe the sin ended there. Every baby is born pure, and "no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another" (Quran 53:38). Each person answers only for their own choices, and the door of repentance stays open for everyone. See Are all my sins forgiven when I become Muslim?
Life on earth isn't seen as a punishment either. God had announced the plan for a steward on earth before Adam was even created.
What about evolution?
Most Muslim scholars hold that Adam was created directly by God, not descended from earlier species. Views differ more about the rest of the living world. See Can I believe in evolution as a Muslim?
Adam is the first of the many prophets Muslims believe in. See Do I have to believe in all the prophets to become Muslim?
- Muslims believe Adam and Eve were the first humans.
- Both made the mistake, and both repented.
- God forgave them, so there's no original sin in Islam.
- Adam is honored as the first prophet.
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