In Islam, Adam is the first human being and the first of the prophets — the father of all humanity.567
Created and appointed by God
The Quran describes God announcing the creation of humankind as a khalifah (a trustee or successive authority) on earth:
"And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.'"
— Quran 2:30 (Saheeh International)1
God formed Adam and breathed into him of His spirit, then commanded the angels to honor him:
"And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration."
— Quran 15:29 (Saheeh International)2
The Garden and the test
Adam and his wife were placed in the Garden and told they could enjoy it freely, except for one tree:
"And 'O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat from wherever you will but do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers.'"
— Quran 7:19 (Saheeh International)3
Tempted by Satan, they ate from it — and so were sent down to live on the earth.
Repentance and forgiveness
A distinctive feature of the Islamic account is what happened next: Adam repented and was forgiven. In Islam there is no notion of an inherited "original sin"; each person is born pure and is accountable only for their own deeds.567
"Then Adam received from his Lord [some] words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful."
— Quran 2:37 (Saheeh International)4
In short
Adam is honored in Islam as the first human and first prophet — created and taught by God, honored above the angels, tested, and then forgiven. His story sets out core Islamic themes: human dignity, accountability, and God's readiness to forgive those who turn back to Him.