Hubut
Definition
Hubut — the descent — refers to Adam and Hawwa's removal from Paradise to earth after their transgression. Ibn Kathir is careful to present this not merely as punishment but as the fulfillment of a plan announced before Adam was created. When Allah told the angels He was placing a vicegerent on earth, He already knew the descent would occur — it was part of the design, not a divine plan B. The earth was the intended home for this vicegerent. The descent brought difficulty, toil, and mortality, but it also brought the full context in which human choice, struggle, repentance, and spiritual elevation become possible — none of which could occur in the effortless abundance of Paradise.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Hubut.
-
"But those who disbelieve and deny our signs, they will be companions of the fire, they will abide therein eternally. Some interpreters suggested that the first descent refers to the descent from paradise to the sky of this world, while the second refers to the descent from the sky to the earth. However, this opinion is considered weak, as the first descent already implies they were sent to the earth."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
-
"disbelieved and denied are signs, they are the companions of the fire, dwelling therein eternally. Some interpreters said the intent with the first descent is from Paradise to the lowest heaven, and with the second, from the lowest heaven to the earth. This is weak, because His statement in the first instance, We said, Descend all of you from here, some of you enemies to others, and on earth there will be dwelling and provision for a time, indicates that they were descended to earth, with the first descent. And Allah knows best. The correct view is that he repeated the word even though it was a single descent and attached a ruling to"
— Ibn Kathir, The Story of Adam
-
"However, this opinion is considered weak, as the first descent already implies they were sent to the earth. The correct understanding is that the repetition in words, despite being a single descent, carries different rulings. The first descent includes their enmity, and the second entails the condition that whoever follows his guidance will be happy, while those who oppose it will be wretched."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
Appears in
1 book in the library
Hear the term in context.
Every book above uses Hubut the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.