فَسَجَدَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ 30
Translations
So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely,
Transliteration
Fasajada al-mala'ikatu kulluhum ajma'un
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the obedience of all the angels who prostrated to Adam in compliance with Allah's command, demonstrating their perfect submission and absence of pride. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this prostration was an act of honor and respect for Adam as decreed by Allah, not an act of worship, which is reserved for Allah alone. This incident serves as a stark contrast to Iblis's disobedience and arrogance, which immediately follows in the next ayah.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Al-Hijr (a Meccan surah) that recounts the story of Adam's creation and the angels' command to prostrate to him. The context is meant to illustrate the hierarchy of creation and the obedience expected of all creation to Allah's commands, while foreshadowing Iblis's rebellion that challenged this divine order.
Related Hadiths
The incident of the angels' prostration to Adam is referenced in various tafsir works but not as a primary subject of hadith. However, Surah Al-Kahf 18:50 and related ahadith discuss Iblis's exception from obedience, found in Sahih Muslim, which contextualizes this ayah's significance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us the importance of immediate obedience to Allah's commands without hesitation or pride, and reminds us that true nobility lies in submission to the Divine will rather than in resistance or self-assertion.