Adam in the Malay Archipelago: The Descent from Jannah and the Origin of Human Civilization According to the Qur’an

Part 1 – The Descent from Heaven to Earth

Before discussing the descent of Prophet Adam to the Malay Archipelago, and more specifically to Melaka, we must first understand correctly the command concerning Adam’s descent to al-Ardh (the earth) as explained by the Qur’an.

In general, we know that Adam and Hawa were in Jannah before they were deceived by Iblis. Observe the words of Allah SWT:

فَأَزَلَّهُمَا ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ عَنۡهَا فَأَخۡرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلۡنَا ٱهۡبِطُواْ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوّٞ ۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرّٞ وَمَتَٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

“So Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [state] in which they had been. And We said, ‘Go down, all of you, as enemies to one another; and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and provision for a time.’”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:36)

In this verse, Allah uses the expression “We said” (وَقُلْنَا) to convey the command to descend. This “We” refers to Allah Al-Malik, because Al-Malik is the sovereign over Jannah, which is a dimensional realm within this created universe.

This descent did not involve only Adam and Hawa, but also Iblis, because Iblis too had been present in the same dimension when this event occurred.

Guidance (Huda) Will Accompany Humanity on Earth

The descent of human beings to the earth does not mean that they were abandoned without guidance, unlike in Jannah. Allah emphasizes in the following verse:

قُلۡنَا ٱهۡبِطُواْ مِنۡهَا جَمِيعًا ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَن تَبِعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ

“We said, ‘Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.’”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:38)

Throughout their time on earth, they are required to follow this huda. Huda is the provision of human beings on earth because earth is a realm of testing. Without hidayah, human beings lose direction. With hidayah, human beings return to Allah and eventually return to Jannah.

Earth Is a Temporary Abode

Allah states that the descent to earth is for a determined time:

قَالَ ٱهۡبِطُواْ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوّٞ ۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرّٞ وَمَتَٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

“He said, ‘Go down, all of you, as enemies to one another. And for you on the earth is a place of settlement and enjoyment for a time.’”

(Surah Al-A’raf 7:24)

Thus, life on earth is temporary and part of a larger journey.

The Three Realms of Human Existence on Earth

قَالَ فِيهَا تَحۡيَوۡنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنۡهَا تُخۡرَجُونَ

“He said, ‘Therein you will live, and therein you will die, and from it you will be brought forth.’”

(Surah Al-A’raf 7:25)

This establishes that:

• We live on earth,

• We die and enter Barzakh within earth,

• We are resurrected from earth on the Day of Rising.

Adam and Hawa Were Sent Down Together

قَالَ ٱهۡبِطَا مِنۡهَا جَمِيعَۢا ۖ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوّٞ ۖ فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشۡقَىٰ

“He said, ‘Go down, both of you, all together, as enemies to one another. Then when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will not go astray nor be miserable.’”

(Surah Ta-Ha 20:123)

The Qur’an makes clear that Adam and Hawa descended together, began life as a pair, and were not separated in location.
This forms the foundation of human family, community and civilization.

Conclusion

The descent of Adam is now fully established based on the Qur’an alone.
The next question is:

If earth was the destination, where was the first step placed?

Here is where Melaka emerges as the strongest candidate when measured against:

• Barakah-based geographic indicators,

• Water and valley systems,

• Solar axis alignment,

• Ancient maritime corridors,

• Post-flood prophetic migration networks.

To be continued.

Acknowledgement

This writing stands upon the support of companions who sponsored the purchase of a new laptop for our research work. The sponsorship is complete. The laptop will be used exclusively for research, text analysis, system development and writing work by Team BAZ.

We express our deepest appreciation. This support is not charity and not a mere contribution, but a participation in the uncovering of knowledge.

Thus, this unveiling belongs to those who supported it. May every benefit drawn from this work flow to them as reward that does not cease, by the permission of Allah.