Forbidden Fruit, Satan’s Temptation and Adam’s Repentance
When they ate it, they first became aware of their nakedness and covered themselves with leaves of the trees of paradise. Actually, becoming aware of good and bad is the beginning of one’s responsibility.
God says in Verses 35-37 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “We told Adam to stay with his spouse (Eve) in the garden and enjoy the foods therein, but not to go near a certain tree lest he become one of the transgressors. Satan made Adam and his spouse err and caused them to abandon the state in which they had been living. Then We said, ‘Descend, you are each other’s enemies! The earth will be a dwelling place for you and it will provide you with sustenance for an appointed time. Adam was inspired by some words (of prayer) through which he received forgiveness from his Lord, for He is All-forgiving and All-merciful.”
These are about the story of Adam (AS) and Eve and how they were banished from paradise after eating the forbidden fruit.
Most Muslim interpreters (of the Quran) have said the forbidden fruit was wheat.
Some interpreters of the holy books have said the forbidden fruit was from the tree of knowledge and awareness.
When Adam (AS) and Eve ate it, they first became aware of their nakedness and covered themselves with leaves of the trees of paradise. Actually, becoming aware of good and bad is the beginning of one’s responsibility. This on the one hand helps one move on the path of perfection but on the other hand restricts him from some aspects.
Mystics, both in the East and the West, though, have said the forbidden fruit was love. It is a fruit after eating which one gets in the trouble of being separated from the beloved.
Another interpretation is that it was a fruit of composition as opposed to simplicity.
The story of Satan entering paradise and his deceiving of Adam and Eve is a continuous one as mankind is always exposed to temptations.
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Enmities and hates begin with mankind’s banishment from paradise. In paradise everyone is friends with all others. There is no hate or despise there and we will be allowed to enter paradise once we get free from them.
The earth is our temporary abode until we are called again to return to a paradise better than the one we left. And to God’s mercy we all return.
