Hawwa (Eve)

Hawwa (Eve) was the first woman created by Allah and the wife of Prophet Adam AS. The Quran mentions that Allah created Adam and then created his spouse from him so that he might find rest and comfort in her (Surah al-Araf 7:189, al-Rum 30:21). Islamic tradition holds that she was created from Adam while he was in the Garden and that the two lived together there before the well-known trial with Iblis. When Iblis whispered to both Adam and Hawwa, tempting them to eat from the forbidden tree, both were deceived. The Quran states clearly that both disobeyed — and both repented. Adam AS received words of repentance from his Lord and was forgiven (Surah al-Baqarah 2:37). Unlike later Jewish and Christian traditions, Islam does not single out Hawwa as uniquely responsible for the fall, nor does it hold her descendants accountable for that act. After their descent from the Garden to earth, Adam and Hawwa began the human family. Islamic tradition says they were separated for a period and reunited on the plain of Arafah near Mecca — which is why Arafah is considered the site of their reunion, adding to its sacred significance during Hajj. Hawwa bore many children, including Habil (Abel) and Qabil (Cain), and Islamic tradition says children were born in pairs. She is regarded with reverence as the mother of all humanity, and her story is a reminder that human weakness is balanced by the divine gift of repentance.