Shayth (a): Difference between revisions

Shayth [Seth] was the second prophet after Adam (a). He was among the children of Adam (a) and Eve and the small brother of Habil [Abel] and Qabil [Cain]. His birth was a gift from God for Adam (a) after the murder of Habil; therefore, Shayth was known as Hibat Allah.

According to historians, the lineage of men continued through Shayth, among the children of Adam (a). Shayth lived 912 years and his burial place is mentioned to be in Abu Qubays mountain. In Baalbek region in the east of Lebanon, there is a town called Nabi Shayth, where there is a great tomb attributed to Shayth.

Shayth was the third son of Adam (a) and the small brother of Habil and Qabil. Based on historical reports, after the griefs and complaints of Adam (a) about Habil’s murder, God gave him a son called Shayth instead of Habil. Thus, the kunya of Shayth is Hibat Allah. He was born when Adam (a) was 130 years old.

Like other children of Adam (a) and Eve, Shayth was born together with his twin sister whose name was ‘Azura. However, based on some sources, he was born alone.

Historical sources considered Shayth’s wife a Houri, the marriage of the two was due to the request of Adam (a). The result of this marriage was four children, the first of whom was Enosh, who became Shayth’s vicegerent. Shayth was 105, when Enosh was born.

Some sources have spoken about the marriage of Shayth with Eklima, Qabil’s sister.

== Continuation of Human’s Lineage through Shayth ==

An attribute of Shayth is that the human’s lineage reaches back to him; as the children and descendants of Qabil were all lost. Based on historical sources, Qabil’s family committed sins such as adultery, drinking alcohol, fire-worshipping and using the instruments of play and dissipation and were perished by the storm of Noah and only the family of Shayth survived.

== Adam’s (a) Vicegerency and Prophethood ==

By the order of God, Shayth became the vicegerent of Adam (a) and received all the knowledge Adam (a) was given. After Adam (a) passed away, Shayth reached prophethood and began his leadership and government among people. Shayth administered Adam’s (a) law including the rules and punishments of the corrupt and ordered people to piety and good deeds.

In order that Shayth does not end in the same destiny as of Habil because of Qabil’s envy, Adam (a) advised Shayth to conceal his knowledge and position from Qabil. Therefore, Shayth practiced taqiyya for a while. There are also reports mentioning the threatening of Shayth by Qabil after Shayth was chosen as Adam’s (a) vicegerent.

It is transmitted from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that when Adam (a) passed away, Shayth asked angel Gabriel to lead the prayer upon Adam’s body. Gabriel said, “God ordered us to prostrate to your father and we do not get ahead of his righteous children and you are the best of his children.”

Like Adam (a) and other prophets, Shayth had several tablets from God. 50 is the highest number, sources have mentioned for the number of the tablets of Shayth.

Mecca is mentioned as the place Shayth lived and preached. During his prophethood, he was in contact with Gabriel and other angels. Based on some reports, he was the first person who invented writing.

Tabari mentioned his lifetime 930 years, but other sources mentioned his lifespan 912 years. Some sources considered Shayth’s burial place, Ganj [treasure] cave in Abu Qubays mountain, where Adam (a) and Eve are buried. However, in Nabi Shayth [locally called Nabi Chit] town in Baalbek region, east of Lebanon, there is a grave attributed to Prophet Shayth. In Mosul, north of Iraq, too there is a grave attributed to Shayth, which was demolished by ISIS in 2014.

== Shayth’s Vicegerent ==

Upon his death, Shayth appointed his son, Enosh as his vicegerent. He advised Enosh to have God-weariness and asked him to order his people to God-wariness and good worship.

Also before his demise, Shayth asked his household to swear not to marry the children of Qabil.

== Sabaeans’ Belief in Shayth ==

Some Sabaeans consider their holy book, the tablets of Shayth. Some historians believe that Sabaeans are from Syriac people, the most ancient people on earth who claim that their lineage reaches back to Sabi, a child of Shayth.