Surah Al A'raf Tafseer

we shall indeed be among the grateful. But when He gave them a Salih child, they ascribed partners to Him (Allah) in that which He has given to them. High be Allah, Exalted above all that they ascribe as partners to Him.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Al-Hasan commented on this part of the Ayah,

جَعَلَ لَهُ شُرَكَاء فِيمَا اتَاهُمَا

(they ascribed partners to Him (Allah) in that which He has given to them),

"This occurred by followers of some religion, not from Adam (or Hawwa)."

Al-Hasan also said,

"This Ayah refers to those among the offspring of Adam who fell into Shirk,

جَعَلَ لَهُ شُرَكَاء فِيمَا اتَاهُمَا

(they ascribed partners to Him (Allah) in that which He has given to them),"

Qatadah said,

"Al-Hasan used to say that it refers to the Jews and Christians. Allah gave them children, and they turned them into Jews and Christians."

The explanations from Al-Hasan have authentic chains of narration leading to him, and certainly, it is one of the best interpretations.

This Ayah should therefore be understood this way, for it is apparent that it does not refer to Adam and Hawwa, but about the idolators among their offspring. Allah mentioned the person first (Adam and Hawwa) and then continued to mention the species (mankind, many of whom committed Shirk).

There are similar cases in the Qur'an. For such cases, Allah said

وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَأءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـبِيحَ

And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps. (67:5)

It is well-known that the stars that were made as lamps in the sky are not the same as the shooting missiles that are thrown at the devils (mentioned later in the Ayah).

There are similar instances in the Qur'an. Allah knows best