Al-A'raaf (The Heights)

Adam's creation -Angels were ordered to prostrate before Adam -The defiance of Satan - The Satan cast out - Adam beguiled by the Satan -Adam's seeking Allah’s pardon.

11. "And indeed We created you, then We fashioned you, then We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves unto Adam.' So they (all) did prostrate themselves except Iblees; he was not of the prostrating ones."

The Story of Satan's Disobedience

The creation of man and his being fashioned is referred to in seven Suras of the Qur'an.

In the current verse, Allah says:

"And indeed We created you, then We fashioned you, then We said to the angels: 'Prostrate yourselves unto Adam.' So they (all) did prostrate themselves except Iblees; he was not of the prostrating ones."

All angels, including Iblis who was in their row, while he was not from among them, were commanded to prostrate themselves unto Adam, the first ancestor of the whole human beings. They totally accepted and eagerly obeyed the command of Allah, except Iblis.

The prostration of the angels for Adam was not done in the sense of 'prostration of worship', because the act of being worshipped is specific to Allah alone. Then, prostration here is for humility and modesty.