Surah 7

Surah 7:22

"So he caused them both to fall by means of deception. And when they both had tasted the tree, their shameful parts became apparent to them, and they both began fastening on themselves some leaves of the Garden. But their Lord called to them both, ‘Did I not forbid you both from that tree, and say to you both, “Surely Satan is a clear enemy to you”?’"
Tafsir Ibn Kathir Verses 7:22-23
Show Full Scripture Context (7:22-23) — 2 Verses
Verse 22

فَدَلَّىٰهُمَا بِغُرُورٖۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا ٱلشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتۡ لَهُمَا سَوۡءَٰتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخۡصِفَانِ عَلَيۡهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ وَنَادَىٰهُمَا رَبُّهُمَآ أَلَمۡ أَنۡهَكُمَا عَن تِلۡكُمَا ٱلشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَآ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ لَكُمَا عَدُوّٞ مُّبِينٞ

So he caused them both to fall by means of deception. And when they both had tasted the tree, their shameful parts became apparent to them, and they both began fastening on themselves some leaves of the Garden. But their Lord called to them both, ‘Did I not forbid you both from that tree, and say to you both, “Surely Satan is a clear enemy to you”?’

Verse 23

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ

They both said, ‘Our Lord, we have done ourselves evil. If You do not forgive us, and have compassion on us, we shall indeed be among the losers.’

Ubayy bin Kab said, “Adam was a tall man, about the height of a palm tree, and he had thick hair on his head. When he committed the error that he committed, his private part appeared to him while before, he did not see it. So he started running in fright through Paradise, but a tree in Paradise took him by the head. He said to it, ‘Release me,’ but it said, “No, I will not release you.’ So his Lord called him, ‘O Adam! Do you run away from Me?’ He said, ‘O Lord! I felt ashamed before You.’” Ibn Jarir and Ibn Marduwyah collected this statement using several chains of narration from Al-Hasan from Ubayy bin Kab who narrated it from the Prophet. However, relating the Hadith to Ubayy is more correct.

Ibn ‘Abbas commented on the Ayah,

Quoted Scripture
"And they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise."

“Using fig leaves.” This statement has an authentic chain of narration leading to Ibn ‘Abbas. Mujahid said that they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise, “Making them as a dress (or garment).” Commenting on Allah’s statement,

Stripping them of their raiment

Wahb bin Munabbih said, “The private parts of Adam and Hawwa’ had a light covering them which prevented them from seeing the private parts of each other. When they ate from the tree, their private parts appeared to them.” Ibn Jarir reported this statement with an authentic chain of narration. ‘Abdur-Razzaq reported from Qatadah, “Adam said, ‘O Lord! What if I repented and sought forgiveness?’ Allah said, 'Then, I will admit you into Paradise.' As for Shaytan, he did not ask for forgiveness, but for respite. Each one of them was given what he asked for.” Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim commented,

Quoted Scripture
""Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers.""

“These are the words that Adam received from his Lord.”

About this Source & Scholarly Authority (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

Universal Sunni Consensus: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim by Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH / 1301–1373 AD) is universally regarded across all major schools of Sunni Islam (traditional, Salafi, Ash'ari) as the most authoritative classical exegesis. It is prized because it relies on Tafsir bil-Ma'thur—interpreting the Quran using the Quran itself, authentic Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad, and recorded statements of the early Companions (Sahabah).

Standard English Edition: This text is from the standard 10-volume English abridgment published by Dar-us-Salam Publications (supervised by Shaykh Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri), which is the official, most widely distributed English Quranic commentary in mosques and Islamic libraries worldwide today.