Stories of the Prophets

Adam, Sheeth & Idrees (AS) – Part 3

(Sept 4, 2020)

الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين

Last week the story of Adam (AS) was discussed up to the stage when his two sons – Qabil and Habil were commanded by Adam (AS) on Allah’s instructions that they offer sacrifices, which they did. We learn from the Qur’an that Habil’s sacrifice was accepted while Qabil’s sacrifice was not accepted. Qabil was very angry at his brother and went to the extent of killing him. This was the first murder in the history of mankind.

Today we’ll continue further and learn about the death of Adam, and then there will be stories of his two sons who were both prophets after him – Sheeth (AS) and Idrees (AS).

The Death of Adam (AS)

Adam’s life span was supposed to be 1000 years but after 960 years the angel of death came to Adam.  Adam was surprised and said that he still had 40 years to live.  The angel of death reminded him of his gift of 40 years to his beloved descendant Prophet Dawud, but Adam denied it. Actually, in one narration, the Prophet Muhammad (S) informed us that once Allah showed Adam his descendants. Adam saw a beautiful light in the eyes of Dawud and loved him so much that he turned to Allah with a request to give Dawud forty years from his own life. Allah granted Adam his request, and it was written down.

Many, many years later, the Prophet Muhammad (S) is reported to have said that Adam forgot so his offspring forgets.  In fact some scholars say the word ‘insan’ is derived from the Arabic verb nasiya, which means ‘to forget’

Before his death Adam reminded his children that Allah would never leave them alone or without guidance.  He told them that Allah would send other Prophets with unique names, traits and miracles, but they would all call to the same thing – to the worship of the One True Allah. It is said that Adam (AS) was happy at the time of his death, beecause he knew that now, through the door of death he was going back to Allah and back to that garden of Paradise he was once in.

It is reported that when Adam’s death was near, he said to his children: ‘O my children, indeed I feel an appetite for the fruits of paradise.’ So they went away searching for what Adam had requested. They met with the angels, who had with them his shroud and what he was to be embalmed with. The angels asked them, ‘What are you searching for? What do you want? Where are you going? They said, ‘Our father is sick and has an appetite for the fruits of paradise.’ The angels said to them: ‘Go back for your father is going to meet his end soon. So they returned with the angels to Adam, and when Eve saw the angels, she recognized them, and tried to hide herself behind Adam. He said to her, ‘Leave me alone. I came before you; do not go between me and the angels of my Lord.’ The angels then took his soul, embalmed and wrapped him, and dug the grave. They offered their prayers on him and put him in the grave, saying, ‘O children of Adam, this is your tradition at the time of death.’”    

A hadith tells us that death is a gift to the believer. No more worries, no more problems and troubles of this world. We have to die in order to get the reward of all the good actions we do. That is why when people die we should know that they are inshaAllah in a better place than we are. Yes we feel sad, we miss them but we shouldn’t question the decree of Allah. Whatever Allah decides is the best. We need to know this especially as believers! They are gone and we too, are going to be going soon. We are all heading that way. And with this we conclude the story of Adam (AS) with many lessons to derive from it.

SHEETH (AS)

After Adam’s death, his son Sheeth took over the responsibilities of prophethood. His name is not mentioned in the Qur’an but it is mentioned in an authentic narration wherein the Prophet (S) said: “Allah sent down 104 psalms, of which 50 were sent down to Sheeth (AS). Sheeth was born soon after the murder of Habil, and lived with his father in a mountainous region.

Qabil, who was harsh and aggressive in his behavior, and who had murdered his brother Habil left the mountains to live in a new flat piece of land very far from the rest of the family. It is reported that after the death of Adam (AS), Shaytan came in the form of a human being to the offspring of Qabil seeking employment. Remember Shaytan’s promise to Allah. He had promised that he would use all means to deviate the progeny of Adam (AS). So the people of Qabil thought that Shaytan was a deserter from the group of Sheeth (AS). This is because it was haram according to the Shariah given to Sheeth (AS) for his followers to mix with the family of Qabil.

Once they employed him, he began to serve them and in the process he also began teaching them all sorts of evil. He made a bugle and blew into it. He used to beat different drums and attract much attention. People used to gather around him to hear the new sounds that they had never heard before. They thought that the people of Sheeth (AS) had really advanced more than them. They partied and celebrated every week. Shaytan made them forget their Creator though they knew that He existed and that He was One and Alone. Very soon they gave little importance to the acts of worship they had been taught.

They set aside a Saturday evening to party. During these parties Shaytan taught man how to dance to the sound of different instruments to the extent that man would forget everything else. Shaytan uses sound to control people. Women and girls were taught to dress up and beautify themselves to impress the men. All this happened slowly in stages over a period of time. Meanwhile Sheeth (AS) continued warning his people. He kept reminding them of their duties towards Allah (SWT).

The people of the mountains were saved from the trap of Shaytan because they were prohibited from mixing with the people from the group of Qabil. Then Shaytan placed thoughts in the minds of some of the weaker followers of Sheeth (AS). He encouraged them to find out why restrictions had been placed regarding the mixing of the two groups (i.e. the group of Sheeth (AS) and Qabil). They had been told that it was because Qabil was contaminated by Shaytan and had committed the first murder and was therefore cursed.

A small group of young men, who were not satisfied with this reasoning decided to go to Qabil’s group and spy on them from a distance. They witnessed one of the parties where the music and dancing was going on and the women of the other group were good looking and dressed up. The great Mufassir Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) has mentioned this incident in the commentary of the verse of Surat al-Ahzab wherein Allah Almighty warns the women to abstain from dressing like the women of the first period of ignorance – meaning Qabil’s people.

They decided to join the party and found that the women were attracted to them because they too were good looking. Shaytan then encouraged man to disobey Allah’s Commands further by teaching them to commit zina (adultery). After the party the youngsters returned to inform the other youth of the mountain about how they enjoyed themselves and how good looking the women were and what they had done.

This teaches us the importance of good company and the need to fight evil thoughts in the initial stages. It also teaches us that at times we may not see the sense of certain rules of the Shariah, but Allah’s decision is best for us.

IDREES (AS)

The first of the children of Adam to be given prophethood after the death of Sheeth (AS) was Idrees (AS), also known as Enoch. He was in the fifth generation of Adam (AS). He was born and raised in Babylon, following the teachings and religion of Adam (AS) and his son Sheeth (AS). Babylon is a city in present-day Iraq. 

Several of the classical commentators on the Qur’an, such as Al-Baizawi said that the name Idrees was derived from the Arabic word dars, which meaning “study.” Ibn Ishaq, the great historian and the earliest scholar to write the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (S) narrated that Idrees (AS) was the first man to write with a pen. He is also credited with the art of making garments. Many early commentators, such as Tabari credited Idrees (AS) with possessing great wisdom and knowledge. 

It is reported in the works of tafsir that Idrees (AS) divided his time into two parts. For three days of the week, he would preach to his people and four days he would devote solely to the worship of Allah.

The Talmud, which is the Jewish collection of law and traditions says that before Nuh (AS), when the descendants of Adam began to degenerate, the angel of Allah called to Enoch, who led a pious life away from the people, and said: O Enoch, arise, come out from seclusion, and go about among the people of the earth, guiding them to the path which they should follow and the ways which they should adopt.

At this point an ayah of Surat Al-Muddathir comes to mind in which Allah (SWT) commands the Prophet Muhammad (S):

يَاأَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ () قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ   

“O You, wrapped in your cloak, Stand up and warn” (al-Muddathir, 74:1-2)

Idrees (AS) called the people back to his forefathers’ religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned away. So, he and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor. 

Performing prayers, fasting on certain days, and giving in charity have always been among the modes of worship of all true followers of all prophets and messengers of Allah throughout the history of mankind. 

Allah has praised Idrees (AS) in the Qur’an as follows:

وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّابِرِينَ

“And Isma’il and ldrees and Zul-Kifl! each one was among the patient ones.” (al-Anbiya’, 21:85)

Yet, in another verse Allah says:

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا

“And mention Idrees in the Book. He was a true man and a Prophet. We raised him to a high station.” (Maryam, 19:56-57)

The plain meaning is that Allah had favored Idrees with a high rank. It is reported in the books of Al-Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (S) met Idrees (AS) in the fourth heaven, during his ascent on Mi’raj. The Mufassirun have given another explanation regarding the meaning of “raised him,” and though the authenticity is not guaranteed, it has been mentioned in almost all books of Tafsir. It is reported that Allah revealed to Idrees (AS) that He would give him a daily reward equivalent to all the good deeds that are done by his Ummah. This was an honor given by Allah to Idrees (AS).

So Idrees (AS) wanted to increase his deeds and devotion. A friend of his from the angels visited and Idrees said to him: “Allah has revealed to me such and such, so could you please speak to the angel of death, so I could increase my deeds.” The angel carried him on his wings and went up into the heavens. When they reached the fourth heaven, they met the angel of death who was descending down towards earth. The angel spoke to him about what Idrees had spoken to him before. The angel of death said: ‘But where is Idrees?’ He replied, ‘He is upon my back.’ The angel of death said: ‘How astonishing! I was sent and told to seize his soul in the fourth heaven. I kept thinking how I could seize it in the fourth heaven when he was on the earth?’ Then he took his soul out of his body, and that is what is meant by the verse: ‘And We raised him to a high station.’

So, Idrees (AS)’s life was taken away whilst he was on the fourth heaven. Some say this is what is meant by “We have raised him to a very high station” in Surat Maryam. This narration of his death is an Isra’ili narration and we do not deny it nor do we confirm it but we do know from authentic narrations that the Prophet (S) did meet Idrees (AS) in the fourth heaven during his ascent on Mi’raj. And Allah knows best.

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Resources and References:  

Imam Ibn Kathir – Stories of the Prophets

Mufti Menk – Lessons from the Stories of the Prophets in the Qur’an (https://muslimahlifestyle.com/lessons-stories-prophets-quraan-mufti-menk-creation-of-aadam-as/)

Anwar Al-Awlaki – The Lives of the Prophets (https://www.kalamullah.com/anwar-alawlaki.html)

Aisha Stacey – The Religion of Islam (islamreligion.com)