Shith
Definition
Shith — Seth — is the son of Adam who received prophethood after his father and is considered the vital link in the prophetic chain between Adam and Idris. Ibn Kathir discusses the generations between them and the transmission of divine knowledge and the sacred books through this lineage. Shith received a collection of divine scriptures — according to some narrations, fifty scrolls — and his prophethood established the pattern that would define the entire subsequent history of revelation: when one prophet departed, another was raised to continue the guidance. Without Shith, the chain from Adam to Idris would be broken; his role, though brief in the narrative, is structurally irreplaceable.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Shith.
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"extensively, but this is not the place for elaboration, and Allah knows best. Regarding Adam's death and his advice to his son Seth, peace be upon him, Seth means gift of God, as he was born after Abel's death. It is narrated that Allah sent down 104 scriptures, with 15 revealed to Seth. As Adam's death approached, he entrusted Seth with knowledge of the times of worship and informed him about the coming flood. It is said that all current lineage traces back to Seth, as the other children of Adam have perished. Allah knows best. When Adam passed away on a Friday, angels came with"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
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"and iron, and a daughter named Nama. It is also mentioned that Adam and his wife had another son named Seth, saying, God has granted me another child in place of Abel, who was killed by Cain. Seth had a son named Enoch. Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born and lived for another 800 years. Seth was 105 years old when Enoch was born and lived for another 800 seven years. Enosh was 90 years old when he fathered Kenan and lived another 815 years."
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā
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"Zillah bore Tubal-Cain, who was the first to forge all kinds of tools, made of bronze and iron, and a daughter named Nama. It is also mentioned that Adam approached his wife, who bore a boy, and named him Seth, saying, quote, He has been granted to me as a successor for Abel, whom Cain killed. Seth begot Enoch. They said Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born to him, and he lived for another 800 years."
— Ibn Kathir, The Story of Adam
Appears in
1 book in the library
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