The Biblical and the Quranic Adam

Khwajah Kamaluddin was a prominent figure of the early Ahmadiyya movement and the author of numerous works about Islam, born in Punjab, India in 1870.He was educated at the Forman Christian College, Lahore, where he was drawn to Christianity, but he was later exposed to the writings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya movement, and experienced a renewed devotion to Islam. In 1893, he joined the movement and became a close disciple of Ghulam Ahmad.During his life Khwajah Kamaluddin has written numerous books, many of which have been translated and published in English.The Biblical and the Quranic Adam, the Kamaluddin’s short essay that today we propose to our readers, written in 1926, it’s a fundamental work to point out that the story of Adam plays an essential role in both Islamic and Christian theology; indeed, it is the very pivot of the two faiths. Adam sins and Paradise is lost. But it is in regaining it that these two faiths seem to diverge.As Kamaluddin explains, the episode of Adam, as narrated in the Quran, is very instructive. It reveals the two extremes of human nature: its zenith and its nadir. Adam represents humanity in the Quran. He was created, as the narrative says, to act as God's vicegerent on earth. He is given knowledge of things that can help his growth. Through this knowledge he also gains ascendancy over the angels and receives homage from them. Everything that contributes to his happiness and comfort is at his disposal. He is also given the power of discretion, but is warned against things harmful to his happiness and comfort. Bliss and prosperity reign over his domain. He, however, forgets the warning in moments of ease and comfort and heeds bad advice. This leads to an error of judgment and misuse of his discretion. Brings trouble. This affects his happiness and he loses everything that created security against the pain. Then comes repentance and forgiveness from the Lord. God, by His grace, gives Adam a word of guidance that he may make the right use of his faculties, and promises a similar revelation to his offspring, assuring them of happiness, if they follow it.