Hawah

Hawah, also spelled Hawwa, Hawaa, or Hawa, is the Arabic name associated with Eve, the first woman in Abrahamic religious tradition. In Islamic tradition, Hawah is described as the wife of Adam and the mother of all humans. The Qur'an does not explicitly name Eve; later Islamic exegetes and traditions attribute to Hawah a role as Adam's companion created from his side, her presence in Paradise, and the fall that led to their expulsion to Earth. In many accounts, Satan tempts them, but both repent and God forgives them, and humanity begins on Earth.

Etymology and usage: The name Hawah is derived from the Arabic root ḥ-w-w, associated with life or living. It is commonly rendered as Hawa, Hawaa, Hawwa, or Havva in various languages. In Hebrew, the parallel name is Chava (Chavah), from the same Semitic root meaning "living." In non-Arabic contexts, Eve is the equivalent English name.

Cultural reception: Hawah is used as a female given name in many Arab and Muslim-majority societies and in Indonesian and Malay-speaking communities. The character is a central figure in Islamic theology of creation, gender, and humanity, often discussed in tafsir (Quranic exegesis) and hadith collections.

See also: Eve; Adam and Eve; Chava; Havva.