This arose from ignorance regarding the meaning of "Succession" (al-istikhlāf) and the accusation against the Lord of performing an act not necessitated by Wisdom—namely, placing a successor on earth who would corrupt its righteousness and shed the blood of His protégés (awliyā’) within it. This was while they [the objectors] purified themselves through glorification and sanctification.
This is what the Remembrance (al-Dhikr) recounted of their saying: {Will You place therein one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?} 1 . Thus, the Glorified and Exalted responded to them by way of pointing out their ignorance: {Indeed, I know that which you do not know} 2 .
Subsequently, He requited them with the Second Commission after their descent from the Abode of Stability (Dār al-Qarār) to the Abode of Rotation (Dār al-Dawarān) and their proximity to Satan—a recompense for their objection to what He had informed them.