What is the interpretation of Allah Almighty’s saying: "And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority'"? And why did the angels seek permission? And how did they know that humans would cause corruption on earth? And what is the wisdom behind presenting the names to the angels and then reminding them that Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and the earth? And will Iblis be punished for not prostrating to Adam even though he is not an angel?

Allah informed the angels about the creation of Adam as a vicegerent on Earth, not to seek their permission. Commentators have mentioned several reasons why the angels knew that Adam's offspring would cause corruption on Earth and shed blood. These include: - Allah informed them of this. - They understood it from the word "khalifah" (vicegerent), which implies reform. - They had witnessed the corruption and bloodshed caused by the jinn before Adam's creation.

The angels' statement was not an objection to Allah, but rather an inquiry and an exploration into the wisdom behind Adam's creation. Allah answered them: (Indeed, I know that which you do not know), clarifying that there was great wisdom and benefit in their creation that the angels did not perceive, such as the existence of prophets, the truthful, and scholars.

Allah taught Adam all the names to demonstrate his superiority over the angels, and this does not contradict the angels' belief that their knowledge is limited to what Allah has taught them. As for Iblis's punishment, it was for not prostrating to Adam. The command to prostrate included him along with the angels, as he resembled them before his disobedience.