Was our father Aadam (Adam), may Allaah exalt his mention, a Prophet or a Messenger?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

Aadam was a Prophet whom Allaah The Almighty spoke to more than once. There are many verses that support this fact.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {He said, "O 'Aadam (Adam), inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, He said, "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed."}[Quran 2:33]

One of the characteristics of the Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, is that Allaah talks to them and conveys to them.

In the story of 'the sons of Aadam Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And recite to them the story of Aadam's (Adam) two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allaah], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], "I will surely kill you." Said [the former], "Indeed, Allaah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].}[Quran 5:27]

The verse indicates that Aadam conveyed a law from Allaah The Almighty to his sons. That was why the believer, Haabeel (Abel), replied, according to the Quran, (what means): {If you should raise your hand against me to kill me - I shall not raise my hand against you to kill you. Indeed, I fear Allaah, Lord of the worlds.}[Quran 5:28]

In a Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar the Prophet said that Allaah The Almighty sent Jibreel (Gabriel) to Aadam and Hawwaa' (Eve), may Allaah exalt their mention, and said to them, "Build a house for the Sake of Allaah." Jibreel outlined its location, and Aadam dug while Hawwaa' removed the dug out earth until water appeared in the hole.

Aadam was called from beneath him to stop, and when he had completed building it, Allaah The Almighty ordered him to circumambulate it. It was said to him that he was the first of mankind and the building was the first house. Centuries passed, and Nooh (Noah) came to perform pilgrimage in it, and after many centuries, Ibraaheem (Abraham) raised the foundations of the House. [Al-Bayhaqi]