25 of Sūrat al-A'rāf.) (See al-Janna.) : Arabic literature and legend have considerably elaborated the basic Qur'ānic portrait of Adam. He also has a special role in the cosmology of the Ismā'īlīs (q.v.), being the first of seven nātiqs (q.v.). For all Muslims throughout history Adam has had a special significance and symbolism.

doi:10.4324/9780203986158-12

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ABSTRACT

Acquisition (as theological term) See Kasb. 'Ād The tribe of 'Ad were pre-Islamic South Arabian giants who built monuments on mountains tops. Their wealth led to much arrogance. There are several references to them in the Qur'ān. The latter tells, for example, how Hud (q.v.) was sent to warn them: they rejected him and were killed by a terrible wind. Later Arabic literature embroidered the story of 'Ād with much legend. (See Sūrat Fussilat; Surat Hūd.)

Adab (Ar.) [pl. ādāb] Word with a wide variety of meanings ranging from 'culture' and 'good-manners' to 'belles-lettres'. The basic Arabic root indicates the possession of refinement or good habits bequeathed down the ages. One of the most notable exponents of adab in its sense of belles-lettres was al-Jāhiz (q.v.).