No humans existed before Adam, may Allaah exalt his mention

20-7-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

One of my friends told me that our forefather Adam [pbuh] is not the only first man. Before him, many Adams were created by Allah [swt.] and each of his civilizations were destroyed. My friend indicated that our forefather Adam [pbuh] was one of such Adams [pbuh]. He believes in many such Adam [pbuh]. is it true? Please, explain the matter with proofs.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

What your friend has said is incorrect. Aadam (Adam) is the father of mankind and there was no other father of mankind before him. Allaah The Exalted addressed human beings in many places in the Quran as the "sons of Aadam". Moreover, the long Hadeeth about intercession on the Day of Judgment reads, “Some people will say: "Appeal to your father, Aadam." They will go to him and say: "O Aadam! You are the father of all mankind, and Allaah created you with His Hand, and commanded the angels to prostrate themselves before you. Intercede for behalf with your Lord? Do you not see the (miserable) state we are in!"” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The version cited in Al-Bukhari reads, “You are Aadam, the father of people…” Another version narrated on the authority of Muslim reads, “They will say, "O Aadam, you are the father of all people."”

Moreover, another Hadeeth reads, “Aadam and Moosa (Moses) argued; Moosa said: "O Aadam! You are our father."”

There were many beings and creatures which were created before Aadam, such as the Throne, the Angels, the Jinn, and more. As for humans, Aadam was the first one that Allaah created.

Allaah Knows best.