Question
Reference number: 280705 | Qur’an and Interpretation | July 27, 2026
What is the Islamic ruling on believing the claims circulating about “Adam’s apple,” and are they religiously authentic?
Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and all his companions. To proceed:
The Holy Qur’an does not specify the type of tree from which Adam and Eve (peace be upon them) were forbidden to eat. Rather, it refers to it without identifying it, as Allah, the Exalted, says: “Do not approach this tree” (Qur’an 2:35). No authentic text has established that the tree bore apples or any other type of fruit.
As for the widespread claim that Adam (peace be upon him) did not swallow the fruit and that it remained stuck in his throat, while Eve swallowed it, supposedly causing menstrual bleeding in women, this claim has no basis in Islamic sources. It is impermissible to attribute such claims to Islam without evidence.
A Muslim must adhere to what is authentically established in the Qur’an and Sunnah and should not believe reports from the Isra’iliyyat (narrations originating from Jewish and Christian traditions), popular accounts, or widely circulated stories without first verifying their authenticity. The lesson to be drawn from this story is the importance of obeying Allah, the Exalted, and refraining from disobeying Him, rather than identifying the type of fruit involved.
