There seems to be some confusion over the hadeeth, as i noticed in another thread.
If one was to look at the Arabic wording of the narration, one would clearly see that it is straight forward in understanding.
The hadeeth which i’ll quote below insha’Allaah, does NOT mean that Allaah moulded Adam - 'alayhi salaam - to resemble Allaah in any way or form, as He Himself states in the Qur’aan, in the chapter before the penultimate:
**Say, "He is Allaah, [who is] One,
Allaah, the Eternal Refuge.
He neither begets nor is born,
Nor is there to Him any equivalent."** [Soorah al-Ikhlaas 112:1-4]
Now I’m no Learnado, but if i were to paint a scenic picture with trees mountains and streams, and then decided to paint a house, one would say that “he paited a house in his picture/image.”
Now Allaah - subhaana wa ta’aala - is The Creator, and wheras i could only paint a house in my picture (i.e. image of scenery), Allaah created Adam - 'alayhi salaam - in his picture (i.e. as part of His Creation)
You don’t have to be a Picasso to understand the hadeeth!
Please read how brother Ibrahim explained this hadeeth in his earlier post, in one of the threads, which unfortunately some over-looked, or simply ignored!:
Ibrahim says: salaams to all
For those who may be misled by the suggestions of the shaitan, let me reveal the meanings in this hadith, which can easily be misconceived due to it is wordings …
Understanding Islam is simple , it needs the use of intellect and sound reason. In fact the root of Islam is sound logic and reason.
Any way lets look at how this hadith is worded
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith Hadith 8.246 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, ** "Allah created Adam in His picture, sixty cubits (about 30 meters) in height.** When He created him, He said (to him), ‘Go and greet that group of angels sitting there, and listen what they will say in reply to you, for that will be your greeting and the greeting of your offspring.’ Adam (went and) said, ‘As-Salamu alaikum (Peace be upon you).’ They replied, 'As-Salamu-‘Alaika wa Rahmatullah (Peace and Allah’s Mercy be on you).’ So they increased ‘Wa Rahmatullah.’ " The Prophet added, “So whoever will enter Paradise, will be of the shape and picture of Adam. ** Since then the creation of Adam’s (offspring) (i.e. stature of human beings is being diminished continuously) to the present time.”**
Ibrahim says: For those who are sincerely seeking knowledge. Kindly read the above hadith again and contemplate based on the fact that from ancient times Allah (swt) had repeated over and over again that Allah (swt) does not have an image or form that man can see or imagine or construct for himself. This was a safeguard against the spread of evil or deception concerning Allah (swt) .** meaning there can be no imitation or imitating or incarnation or reincarnation of God. **
The keyword in all scriptures being:
** “And there is none like unto Him” **
Thus for Muslims who have knowledge and the intellect to reason for themselves, the above hadith is not flawed or in error. Since No hadith that contradicts the Qur’an is considered sahih.
So one may wonder why did some jokers, who think they are Muslims ended up being misguided? That too is the will of Allah (swt) for it is by their own works they have lost their senses to perceive the evident and will earn what they deserve in the hereafter .
Anyway, lets look at the above hadith. here the ** first point** being Adam (as) , and the FIRST batch of mankind were a larger form ( as compared to the size of mankind in the current time frame) as designed by Allah (swt) as He pictured him.
This is similar to our progress in designs and architecture. , we may understand this by looking at how our computers have changed in size. The first versions where so huge they occupied a large room but as time passed we can now carry one or many in our pockets
The ** second point** where the word image is revealed in scriptures will mostly mean that mankind (Adam (as) was created with goodness. The image/picture meaning the likeness in character with Allah (swt) and not likeness in form since the form does not exist as far as man should be concerned in this planet.
The ** third point** in the above hadith is that as time progressed our sizes have diminished to it current level by the design of Allah (swt)
** Fourth point** being man will remain as man in his physical form in heaven or hell or immaterial of where Allah (swt) has given him life and will not be running around as spirits after death , as the deluded have been preaching.
All the above can be confirmed and affirmed by earlier revelations in addition to the above hadith. Which means this hadith can be cross linked to revealed texts making it totally sound.
Hoe that helps
Was salaam
Ibrahim
… wa jazaahuAllaahu khaira.
&peace
“No leaf falls except that He knows of it, and no rain drop forms except that He has willed it.”