Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), as the first Imam and inheritor of the knowledge of the prophets, continues the path of the prophets, including Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). The spiritual connection of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) with the previous prophets demonstrates his special position in the continuation of the chain of divine guidance.
The Punishment of Envy and the Key to Repentance
The Seal of the Prophets repeatedly referred to the role and position of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) as the first human and God’s vicegerent on earth.
In the Ghadir Sermon, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) warned against envy toward Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and, citing the reason for Adam’s fall, reminded the people of his sensitive role in guiding and safeguarding the Islamic nation:
“O people! Satan expelled Adam from Paradise out of envy. Do not envy Ali (peace be upon him), or your deeds will be nullified and your feet will slip. Adam was sent down to earth for a single mistake, even though he was God’s chosen one. So how will it be for you, while you are as you are and among you are the enemies of God?” (1)
Furthermore, the Seal of the Prophets, by referring to the story of Prophet Adam and his repentance, explained the importance of seeking intercession through the Ahl al-Bayt, including Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), for the acceptance of repentance and attaining divine pleasure.
When the Prophet of God (peace be upon him and his family) was asked about the words that Adam learned from his Lord and by which God accepted his repentance, the Noble Prophet said:
“Adam (peace be upon him) swore to God by the honor of Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husain (peace be upon them) that He accept his repentance.” (2)
Narration of Amir al-Muminin from the First Divine Prophet
Among the sermons, letters, and wise sayings narrated from Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), the names of ten divine prophets are mentioned, one of whom is Prophet Adam (peace be upon him).
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) refers in his words to the prominent position and key role of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) as the first human and God’s vicegerent on earth. While emphasizing the expansion of the earth and God’s penetrating will, he considers Adam the best of God’s creatures, chosen for the management and cultivation of the earth.
Amir al-Mu’minin (peace be upon him) said:
“When God spread out His earth and made His command effective and prevailing, He chose Adam (peace be upon him) as the best of creatures and made him His first creation.” (3)
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), in another narration citing verse 30 of Surah al-Baqarah, explains the mission of Prophet Adam and states that the entire earth was for his use and the perfection of humanity.
Regarding God’s words in verse 30 of Surah al-Baqarah — “Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority” — Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“The whole earth was for Adam (peace be upon him).” (4)
He also speaks about the divine words by which Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) repented to God, indicating the lofty station of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). This means that the Ahl al-Bayt are those sacred words that God taught to Prophet Adam so that he might find the path of return and repentance.
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) said:
“We are the very words that Adam (peace be upon him) received from his Lord and by which he repented to God.” (5)
The Day of Adam’s Repentance
Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) refers to the acceptance of Prophet Adam’s repentance and states that this event occurred on the day of Ghadir.
Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:
“Ghadir is the day on which God accepted the repentance of Adam (peace be upon him). Therefore, Adam fasted on that day in gratitude for this blessing.” (6)
Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) drew a beautiful analogy between the believers’ acceptance of the guardianship of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) on the day of Ghadir and the angels’ obedience to the divine command to prostrate before Prophet Adam (peace be upon him).
Imam al-Rida (peace be upon him) said:
“The example of the believers in accepting the wilayah of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) on the day of Ghadir Khumm is like the example of the angels in their prostration before Adam (peace be upon him). And the example of those who refrained from accepting the wilayah of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) on Ghadir is like that of Satan.” (7)
Najaf, the Burial Place of the Prophets from Adam to Noah
Mufaddal asked Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) about his eagerness to visit the shrine of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him). The Imam, recounting the story of Prophet Noah transferring the coffin of Prophet Adam to Ghari (Najaf), spoke of the characteristics and special position of Najaf as a sacred place.
Mufaddal narrated:
“I came into the presence of Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) and said: ‘I wish to go to Najaf.’ The Imam asked: ‘Why are you eager to go there?’ I replied: ‘Because of my love for Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), I want to visit him.’ The Imam asked: ‘Do you know the station of visiting him?’ I said: ‘No, O son of the Messenger of God. Please explain it to me.
The Imam said: ‘When you go to visit Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), know that you are visiting the bones of Adam, the body of Noah, and the body of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him).’ I asked: ‘How have the bones of Adam — which are said to be in the Kaaba — come to be in Kufa?’
The Imam replied: ‘When Noah was in the Ark, God revealed to him to circumambulate the Kaaba seven times. Noah obeyed God’s command and pulled out a coffin containing Adam’s bones from under the water and placed it in the Ark. Then he reached the location of the Kufa Mosque. God commanded the earth to swallow the water. So Noah buried the coffin in the Ghari region (Najaf).
Ghari is part of a mountain where God spoke with Moses, Jesus was sanctified there, Abraham attained the station of Khalilullah (friend of God), and the Prophet of Islam was granted the title Habibullah( the beloved friend of God) there. This is the station of the prophets, and beside them no one more noble than Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) has resided.
Therefore, when you visit Najaf, it is as if you have visited Adam, Noah, the Seal of the Prophets, and Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), the master of the executors. Know that for the visitor of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), the gates of heaven are opened during supplication. So do not miss this great opportunity and do not forget to pray and seek goodness.’” (8)
1. Awālim al-Ulūm, Vol. 15, p. 178
2. Wasā’il al-Shīʿah, Vol. 7, p. 98
3. Biḥār al-Anwār, Vol. 54, p. 106
4. Wasā’il al-Shīʿah, Vol. 9, p. 530
5. Biḥār al-Anwār, Vol. 27, p. 33
6. Iqbāl al-Aʿmāl, Vol. 1, p. 466
7. Awālim al-Ulūm, Vol. 15, p. 222
8. Kāmil al-Ziyārāt, Vol. 1, p. 38
