"Adam and Musa argued, Musa said: "O Adam! You are the one that Allah created with His Hand, and blew into you of His Spirit, and you misled the people and caused them to be expelled from Paradise.' So Adam said: 'You are Musa, the one Allah selected with His Speech! Are you blaming me for something I did which Allah had decreed for me, before creating the heavens and the earth?'" He said: " So Adam confuted Musa."
Hadith Commentary: The Debate Between Adam and Musa
This profound narration from Jami' at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2134) presents a theological dialogue between two great prophets concerning divine decree (al-Qadar) and human responsibility.
Context and Significance
This hadith appears in the "Chapters On Al-Qadar" section of Jami' at-Tirmidhi, addressing one of Islam's most complex theological matters. The debate occurs in the spiritual realm, demonstrating how prophets understood Allah's preordained decree.
Adam's response establishes a fundamental Islamic principle: Allah's eternal knowledge and decree precede all creation. What appears as human choice occurs within the framework of divine wisdom and pre-eternal knowledge.
Scholarly Analysis of the Argument
Musa's argument emphasizes human responsibility and the honor Allah bestowed upon Adam - created with Allah's Hand and infused with His Spirit. Musa highlights the consequence of Adam's action: humanity's expulsion from Paradise.
Adam's counter-argument demonstrates superior understanding of al-Qadar. He acknowledges Musa's distinction as the prophet Allah spoke to directly, then redirects the discussion to divine decree. His statement "something Allah had decreed for me before creating the heavens and the earth" references the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz) where all matters are recorded.
Theological Implications
Classical scholars explain that Adam's victory in the debate doesn't negate human responsibility. Rather, it situates human actions within Allah's comprehensive knowledge and will. The hadith balances divine decree with human accountability.
Ibn Taymiyyah notes that both perspectives contain truth: Musa correctly emphasized the consequence of disobedience, while Adam correctly referenced the overarching divine decree. The reconciliation lies in understanding that Allah's decree encompasses both the action and its consequences.
Practical Lessons
This narration teaches humility in judgment - we cannot fully comprehend another's circumstances within Allah's decree. It also encourages seeking Allah's mercy rather than focusing solely on blame.
The proper Muslim attitude combines taking responsibility for one's actions while recognizing everything occurs by Allah's will and knowledge. This balanced understanding prevents both fatalism and the denial of divine decree.