Adam’s Error: A Review of Sulṭān Paul’s Thoughts in the Islamic Perspective

خطأُ آدَمَ: مُرَاجَعَةُ أَفْكَارِ سُلْطَان بُولُس مِنْ مَنْظُورٍ إِسْلَامِيّ

Abstract

Since the beginning, the issue of Adam's error has divided Islam and Christianity. From a Christian perspective, Adam broke God's rules by residing in the Garden of Eden. He sinned and this sin was transmitted to the next generations because of this every human congenitally is a sinner. Sulṭān Paul is one of the Christian figures who defended this doctrine with references to Islamic teachings. Islam has the viewpoint that all prophets of God are superior to the whole of humanity because God has saved them from every kind of defilement spiritually and physically. A minor misunderstanding is possible which is not an inexpiable sin. Based on this dogma Islam declares that Adam committed no kind of sin but he fell prey to misunderstanding and God let him off. Every crime ends up after clemency, so Adam is not the sinner. This short research article gives subtle hints on the viewpoint of Islam and Christianity regarding this matter so that the theologians may be informed of real facts.