The First Human Being and The Relationship Between Prophethood and Primordial Human Disposition (Fitrah) According To The Qur'an

Abstract

According to the Qur'an and Prophetic narrations, Adam is the first human being and prophet. However, there were set forth some claims that have no foundation in the Qur'an and sound Prophetic narrations. In this study, after identifying who the first human being and prophet is according to the Qur'an and sound Prophetic narrations, I will try to find answers to the followings questions: - How did angels know that man would shed blood and cause mischief when God said to them that He would appoint man vicegerent on the earth? - When might Adam be given prophethood and vicegerency? I believe that Adam was not appointed prophet just after his creation. Rather, he was given this office as a result of the breakdown of the primordial human disposition, the shedding of blood and the rise of mischief on the earth. When God informed the angels that He would appoint one of the human beings, who were present at that time, as vicegerent, they did not know who He would give this office. Nevertheless, they witnessed some mischiefs caused by men previously. This is why they objected to God, saying, "Will you give the office of vicegerency to one who will shed blood and cause mischief on the earth?"