12. The paradise Prophet Adam existed in.
We find in verses 2:35, 7:19, 7:22, 7:27, 20:121 of the Quran that prophet Adam was exiled from paradise. There are two different opinions expressed regarding this incident.
Here the word ‘Jannat’ is replaced with paradise, and the heavenly garden in the hereafter world is also referred to as paradise, the gardens in this world are also referred to as paradise.
In the Quran we find ‘Jannat’ being used in both contexts. Mostly we come to understand that prophet Adam was settled in paradise and on transgressing God’s commandment was exiled from there.
Since verse (2:30) of the Quran, says that prophet Adam was created on earth and presuming that at the same time Shaitan cannot enter paradise to misguide him, prophet Adam was settled in a garden on earth from where he was exiled is the idea expressed by some.
Accepting any one of these opinions does not in any way affect the fundamentals of Islam or the lessons to be learnt by this incident.