our father ADAM and mother EVE.PART(8)

ABEL AND CAIN

Cain was rude and quarrelsome but Abel was calm and peaceful.

Cain hurt his brother Abel. He wanted him to be a slave to him from morning to evening.

Cain wanted Abel to plow the ground and to graze the cattle, for he wanted to spend his time in playing. So he hit his brother Abel.

However, Abel was patient, for Cain was his full brother.

Abel prayed Allah to guide his brother Cain to be good.

Adam was displeased with Cain. He ordered him not to be wicked. One day he said to him:
“Cain, be as good as your brother.”

Another day he said to him:
“Cain, don’t be wicked. Allah doesn’t love the wicked.”

However, Cain did not listen to the advice of his father. He thought that he was better than Abel for he was stronger and taller than him. His muscles were stronger and his head was bigger.

Adam said to his son Cain:

“The pious one is the best one. Cain, Allah looks at hearts. The best is the most pious.”

Cain was stubborn. He cried out: “No! No! No! I’m better than Abel. I’m stronger and bigger than him.”

One day Cain hit his brother Abel very hard.

However, Abel did nothing. He tolerated his brother for his heart was good. He loved his brother. He knew that Cain was ignorant. He feared Allah and did not want to be as wicked as his brother.

Adam wanted to put an end to Cain’s wickedness. He wanted to tell him Allah loved the good, not the wicked.

Adam said to his two sons:
“Each one of you must slaughter a ram for Allah. He whose ram Allah accepts is better for Allah accepts the deeds of the pious.”

Cain set off towards the wheat fields. He heaped up unripe stalks.

Abel went to the cattle. He chose a fat, beautiful, sound ram, for he wanted to slaughter the ram for his Lord.

Adam said to his sons: “Go to those hills.”