” Angels were asked to bow down before Adam (PBH) after balance was set up in his personality, a spirit from Allah (SWT) was blown into him which gave him the power of right decision (Chapter: 15 Verse 29) and he was taught all the names i.e. he was bestowed with the capability of acquiring and reproducing knowledge. Before these three events Adam (PBH) was probably not suitable for appointment as the successor of the earth. This indicates that a ruler should be balanced, he should have the power of right decision which he should exercise after acquiring correct knowledge.

Everything in the Universe, including the angels, bows down to Allah (SWT) (Chapter: 16 Verse 49), therefore the bowing down of angels before man appears to convey a different sense. The word ‘Malak’normally translated as ‘Angel’also conveys the sense of power, strength, energy, authority, control etc. In view of this’Malaik’i.e. angels, could be different energies or entities ‘In charge of various energies’. Therefore, bowing down of angels could be the bowing down of energies before mankind, i.e. Allah (SWT) made energies like light, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism etc subservient to mankind. This interpretation finds support in the fact that the basic factor behind human progress is the human control on energies. If energies are withdrawn from human control, the whole building of scientific and technological progress will collapse and the present human race would probably perish in no time. This human control on energies is not an achievement of mankind but a gift of Allah (SWT) to humanity when He had made the angels to bow down before Adam (PBH). In view of this ‘Khalifa’ meaning one who succeeds someone to rule’ would refer to mankind in general (Chapter: 6 Verse 165). Iblis is not an angel but a Jinn (Chapter: 18 Verse 50) yet he too was included in the order of Allah (SWT) to angels, for bowing down before Adam (PBH) and was questioned for his not bowing down (Chapter: 7 Verse 12). This further supports the interpretation that ‘Malaik’ refers to all energies or ‘In charges of energies’who were ordered to bow down or become subservient to mankind, they all did except Iblis, probably the ‘In charge of evil energy’. Iblis too appears to have been expecting that he would be made the successor of the earth as indicated from his statement. “You have removed me from the way,” (Chapter: 7 Verse 16). Probably the frustration of not being made the successor forced him to refuse to bow down before Adam (PBH) whom he regarded as inferior (Chapter: 7 Verse 12) and junior to him (Chapter: 15 Verse 27). Iblis considered himself great, which is the right only of Allah (SWT). He disobeyed Him and thereby became an infidel. Then he sought permission of Allah (SWT) to mislead human being (Chapter: 7 Verse 14) except His servants among them who would exclusively serve Him (Chapter: 15 Verses: 40 – 42), he was granted this permission (Chapter: 7 Verse 15, Chapter: 15 Verses: 37-38) but at the same time Allah (SWT) declared (Chapter: 38 Verse 85) that He will fill hell with him and his followers.”