Adam And Eve.

Remember, O Moḥammad, when thy Lord said unto the angels, I am about to place in the earth a vicegerent to act for me in the execution of my ordinances therein, namely, Adam,–they said, Wilt Thou place in it one who will corrupt in it by disobediences, and will shed blood (as did the sons of El-J ánn, ¹⁸⁹ who were in it; wherefore, when they acted corruptly, God sent to them the angels, who drove them away to the islands and the mountains), when we [on the contrary] celebrate the divine perfection, occupying ourselves with Thy praise, and extol Thy holiness ? Therefore we are more worthy of the vicegerency.–God replied, Verily, I know that which ye know not, as to the affair of appoint-ing Adam vicegerent, and that among his posterity will be the obedient and the rebellious, and the just will be manifest among them. And He created Adam from the surface of the earth, taking a handful of every colour that it comprised, which was kneaded with various waters; and He completely formed it, and breathed into it the soul: so it became an ani-mated sentient being. ¹⁹⁰ And He taught Adam the names of all things, infusing the knowledge of them into his heart. Then He showed them (namely, the things) to the angels, and said, Declare unto me the names of these things, if ye say truth in your assertion that I will not create any more knowing than ye, and that ye are more worthy of the vice-gerency. They replied, [ We extol] Thy perfection ! We have no knowledge excepting what Thou hast taught us; for Thou art the Knowing, the Wise.–God said, O Adam, tell them their names. And when he had told them their names, God said, Did I not say unto you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and know what ye reveal of your words, saying, Wilt thou place in it, etc., and what ye did conceal of your words, saying, He will not create any more generous towards Him than we, nor any more knowing ? (ii. 28–31.)