How did Ibn al-Qayyim, in his book "Al-Ruh" (The Soul), present details concerning the creation of Adam – such as the sending of angels to retrieve clay from the earth – that are not mentioned in the Qur’an or Sunnah, what are the sources of this information, and how can one infer from it given that other heavenly books have been distorted?

Ibn al-Qayyim explained the basis of the narration mentioned by Al-Tabari and Al-Bayhaqi in their interpretation of the creation of Adam, which is reported from a number of companions. This narration is likely from the Isra'iliyyat (stories from Jewish and Christian traditions) that the companions used to narrate, and there is no harm in recounting them as long as their falsehood has not been proven. Narrations from the People of the Book are mentioned for seeking familiarity (or insight) and their authenticity cannot be definitively asserted, nor can their authority be believed, due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Do not believe the People of the Book, nor disbelieve them." These narrations are categorized into three types: what is known to be true by what affirms its veracity, what is known to be false, and what is unmentioned (neither affirmed nor denied), which is permissible to recount.