Ibn Abbas and a group of companions of the Prophet (PBUH) narrated that when Iblis was sent out of Paradise and Adam was accommodated therein, Adam was alone in Paradise and did not have a partner from whom he could get tranquility. He slept for some time and when he woke up, he saw a woman whom Allah had created from his ribs. So he asked her, “Who are you? She
replied, “A woman” He asked: “Why have you been created?” She said :”So that you could find tranquility in me.” The angels, trying to find out the extent of his knowledge, asked him: “What is her name, O Adam?” He replied, “Eve”. They asked: “Why was she so named?” He replied, “
Because she was created from something living.”
Eve’s Creation
Muhammad Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn Abbas related that Eve was created from the shortest left rib of
Adam while he was sleeping and after awhile she was clothed with flesh. That is why Allah the
Exalted said:
“O Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) and from
Him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women.
(Ch 4:1)
Allah also said:
“It is he Who has created you from a single person (Adam) and then He created from him his
wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.”(Ch 7:189).
Establishing the Islamic Greeting
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “O Muslims! I advise you to be gentle with women, for they are created from a rib, and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part. If you try to straighten it, it will break and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the women.” (Sahih Bukhari).
Allah commanded Adam to dwell in Paradise:
“O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise
and eat both of you freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you will, but
come not near this tree or you both will be of the Zalimeen (wrong doers).”(Ch 2:35)
The Location of Adam and Eve’s Paradise
The location of this Paradise is unknown to us. The Quran did not reveal it, and the commentators had five different opinions. Some said that it was the paradise of our refuge and that its place was heaven.
Others regreted that statement because if it was the paradise of refuge Iblis would have
been forbidden admission and disobedience would have been forbidden as well.
Still others said that it was another paradise that was created by Allah for Adam and Eve. A fourth group said it was a paradise on the earth located in a high place.
Another group of commentators accept what was in the Quran without questioning where this paradise was located. We agree with this last
opinion as the lesson we learn from its location is immaterial compared to the lesson we learn
from the events that took place there.
Allah’s Warning to Adam and Eve
Adam and eve were admitted to Paradise and there they lived the dream of all human beings.
Allah permitted them to approach and enjoy everything except one tree, that might have been the Tree of Pain or the Tree of Knowledge. Allah forbade them they were give abode in Paradise.
“But come not near this tree or you both will be of the wrong doers.” (Ch 2:35)