Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Adam and Moses argued with each other. Moses said to Adam. 'You are Adam whose mistake expelled you from Paradise.' Adam said to him, 'You are Moses whom Allah selected as His Messenger and as the one to whom He spoke directly; yet you blame me for a thing which had already been written in my fate before my creation?"' Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said twice, "So, Adam overpowered Moses."
The Argument Between Adam and Moses
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (3409) presents a profound theological discourse between two great prophets, illustrating fundamental Islamic principles concerning divine decree and human responsibility.
Context and Setting
This dialogue occurred in the spiritual realm where prophets can communicate across time. Moses, representing the Law and strict justice, confronts Adam about the primordial mistake that led to humanity's expulsion from Paradise.
Adam's response demonstrates superior understanding of divine wisdom, acknowledging his error while recognizing it occurred within Allah's preordained plan.
Theological Significance
The debate centers on the balance between divine predestination (qadar) and human accountability. Adam acknowledges his mistake while understanding it was written in his fate before creation.
Moses emphasizes human responsibility, while Adam demonstrates how divine decree encompasses all events without negating personal accountability.
Adam's Superior Argument
Adam's victory in this argument stems from his comprehensive understanding that Allah's knowledge encompasses all matters before their occurrence, as stated in the Quran: "No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being" (57:22).
This doesn't negate human choice but places it within the broader framework of divine wisdom and knowledge.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars explain that Adam's argument prevailed because he recognized that his mistake, while his responsibility, was part of Allah's greater plan containing wisdom beyond human comprehension.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes in Fath al-Bari that this hadith teaches Muslims to avoid blaming others for predestined matters while still maintaining personal responsibility for one's actions.