سُوْرَةُ طٰهٰ
Surah Taa-Haa (20) — Ayah 115
وَلَقَدْ عَهِدْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ مِن قَبْلُ فَنَسِىَ وَلَمْ نَجِدْ لَهُۥ عَزْمًا ﴿115﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm will-power.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَلَقَدْ
walaqad
And verily
عَهِدْنَآ
ʿahid'nā
We made a covenant
إِلَىٰٓ
ilā
with
ءَادَمَ
ādama
Adam
مِن
min
before
قَبْلُ
qablu
before
فَنَسِىَ
fanasiya
but he forgot
وَلَمْ
walam
and not
نَجِدْ
najid
We found
لَهُۥ
lahu
in him
عَزْمًۭا
ʿazman
determination
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
115. And We had already taken a covenant from Adam before, but he forgot; and We did not find in him firm resolve [83].
[83]
Forgetfulness and Error Are Part of Human Nature; Sayyiduna Adam Made a Mistake Out of Forgetfulness:
Here, the mention of Sayyiduna Adam’s forgetfulness is stated in accordance with the context of remembrance. That is, since forgetting is part of human nature, this is why reminders and admonitions from Allah have been sent down repeatedly. And the beginning of this human nature started with their forefather Adam himself. His resolve was not so strong that he could remember the covenant made with Allah at all times. Thus, after a long period, when Sayyiduna Adam ؑ had forgotten that covenant, Satan’s plot succeeded and he fell into Satan’s deception. From this, the result is that forgetfulness and error are part of human nature, and the second meaning stated here is that he disobeyed Allah out of forgetfulness and error. His intention was never to disobey. And the result of this meaning is the exoneration of Adam ؑ from rebellion. In terms of the context, the first meaning seems to be correct.
[83]
Forgetfulness and Error Are Part of Human Nature; Sayyiduna Adam Made a Mistake Out of Forgetfulness:
Here, the mention of Sayyiduna Adam’s forgetfulness is stated in accordance with the context of remembrance. That is, since forgetting is part of human nature, this is why reminders and admonitions from Allah have been sent down repeatedly. And the beginning of this human nature started with their forefather Adam himself. His resolve was not so strong that he could remember the covenant made with Allah at all times. Thus, after a long period, when Sayyiduna Adam ؑ had forgotten that covenant, Satan’s plot succeeded and he fell into Satan’s deception. From this, the result is that forgetfulness and error are part of human nature, and the second meaning stated here is that he disobeyed Allah out of forgetfulness and error. His intention was never to disobey. And the result of this meaning is the exoneration of Adam ؑ from rebellion. In terms of the context, the first meaning seems to be correct.
