After this lesson about freedom Adam learned another lesson, one about knowledge. Adam
realized that Iblis was the symbol of evil in the universe and that the angels were the symbol of
good. However he did not yet know anything about himself. Then Allah made him perceive his
true identity and the reason for his creation, and the secret of his glorification.
Allah the Exalted said:
“He taught Adam all the names of everything”. (Ch 2:31 Quran).
Teaching Adam
Almighty Allah granted Adam the power to know the natures of all things and to summarize them
by names; that is a bird, that is a star, that is a tree, etc Allah implanted in Adam an insatiable need
for and love of knowledge and a desire to bequeath knowledge to his children. This was the
reason for his creation and the secret of his glorification.
After Adam had learned the names of all things, along with their properties and uses, Allah
presented them to the angels and said:
“Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful.”(Ch 2:31 Quran)
The angels admitted their inability:
“Glory be to You, we have knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily it is You the All
Knower, the All Wise.” (Ch 2:32)
Allah Almighty then turned to Adam:
“O Adam! Inform them of their names,” and when he had informed them of their names, He said:
‘Did I not tell you that I know the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and I know what you
reveal and what you have been hiding?'” (Ch 2:33).
Allah wanted the angels to know that He knew of their astonishment when He had told them
about the creation of Adam and that He also knew of their confusion which they had not revealed,
as well as what Iblis had concealed of his disobedience and ingratitude.
The angels realized that Adam was the creature who knew what they did not know and that his
capacity to learn was his noblest quality. His knowledge included knowledge of the Creator which
we call faith or Islam, as well as the knowledge he would need to inhabit and master the earth. All kinds of worldly knowledge which are included in this.
Adam knew the names of everything. Sometimes he talked to the angels, but they were
preoccupied with worshipping Almighty Allah. Therefore Adam, felt lonely. One day he slept and
when he awoke he found near his head, a woman gazing at his face with beautiful tender eyes.
The angels asked him her name he replied: “Eve (Hawa).” (means living things). They asked:
“Why did you call her Eve?” Adam said: “Because she was created of me and I am a living being.”