Descendants of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him)
Qabil (Cain) Son of Adam
Qabil, the son of Prophet Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), is associated with various names, including Qain or Qabin. Historical accounts suggest that Qabil resided in a town called Qinyah, near Damascus. He is notably recognized in the Quran for having killed his brother Habil (Abel). This tragic incident is said to have occurred near Mount Qassioun, with some narrations from Ibn Abbas and Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with them) stating that it took place in the Thawr cave in Mecca. Other accounts suggest that the incident happened in Basra or even in India. Qabil was only twenty-five years old at the time of his brother’s death.
Habil (Abel) Son of Adam
Habil is the younger brother of Qabil and is remembered for being murdered by him. Historical accounts indicate that he lived in an area known as Sitra, located in Damascus. Habil was a shepherd and worked with livestock. At the time of his death, he was twenty years old. The loss of Habil deeply saddened Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), as he was considered a gift from Allah (Glory Be to Him).
Shith (Seth) Son of Adam
After the tragic death of Habil at the hands of Qabil, Allah blessed Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) with another son named Shith, five years later. By this time, Adam was one hundred twenty years old. Shith lived for nine hundred twelve years and is distinguished from Adam’s other children through several notable attributes:
- Shith served as the executor of his father’s legacy and succeeded him after his passing.
- He was regarded as the most handsome and well-mannered of Adam’s children, resembling his father closely, which endeared him to Adam even more.
- Shith had numerous descendants, and it is said that all human lineages trace back to him.
- Allah (Glory Be to Him) revealed fifty scrolls to Shith.
- Together with his father Adam (Peace Be Upon Him), Shith constructed the Kaaba from stones and clay at the site where Adam first descended to Earth.
- He was the first to perform the pilgrimage to the Kaaba.
- Shith is credited with inventing writing.
- He was also the first to plant a date palm and sow seeds, and he was known for his wisdom.
The Story of Adam’s Sons in the Quran
The sons of Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) are mentioned numerous times in the Quran, with two significant narratives highlighted in the sacred text:
The Story of Qabil Killing Habil
The Quran narrates that Qabil took the life of his brother Habil. The underlying cause of this tragic event is said to stem from initial divine commandments that mandated both brothers to marry their respective sisters, who were not from the same womb. Qabil’s sister was considered more beautiful than Habil’s sister, prompting Qabil to desire her instead. To determine whose sacrifice would be accepted by Allah (Glory Be to Him), the brothers agreed to present offerings. Habil, who worked with livestock, offered a ram, while Qabil presented a bundle of wheat.
A fire descended from the heavens and consumed Habil’s offering, signifying Allah’s acceptance of it while Qabil’s was rejected. In a fit of rage and jealousy, Qabil resorted to murdering his brother. Although this story has been recorded in various texts, it holds no foundation in the Quran or Sunnah. The Quran states: “Recite to them the story of Adam’s two sons, in truth, when they both offered sacrifices and it was accepted from one of them but not accepted from the other. He said, ‘Surely I will kill you.’ The other replied, ‘Allah only accepts from the righteous. If you extend your hand towards me to kill me, I will not extend my hand towards you to kill you; I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds.’” At this time, their father Adam (Peace Be Upon Him) was in Mecca, having entrusted Qabil with the care of his children before his departure, a responsibility that Qabil did not uphold.
The Story of Qabil Burying Habil After the Murder
After taking the life of his brother, Qabil left Habil’s body exposed. However, fearing that predators would devour the corpse, he contemplated how to dispose of it. Allah (Glory Be to Him) then sent two ravens that fought before him, with one killing the other. The surviving raven began to dig in the ground, ultimately burying the deceased raven. Witnessing this, Qabil recognized the necessity of burying his brother’s body as well. Allah (Glory Be to Him) stated: “Then Allah sent a raven searching in the earth to show him how to cover the shame of his brother. He said, ‘Woe to me! Am I incapable of being like this raven so that I could cover the shame of my brother?’ And he became among the regretful.”