AL ASHARI SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

 *Hazrat Nuh (Peace be upon him) – Part 3*

It has already been stated that between Adam (Peace be upon him) and Nuh (Peace be upon him) there were 10 generations, all of whom remained upon Islam. It has also been mentioned that by “generation” is meant a lineage or a century. After these people, such events occurred as a result of which people became involved in idol worship.

The reason for this change becomes clear from the narration that Imam Bukhari has mentioned in the commentary of this blessed verse: _“And they said, ‘Never leave your gods and never leave Wadd or Suwa or Yaghuth and Ya‘uq and Nasr.’”_

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas said: These were the names of righteous men from the people of Nuh (Peace be upon him). When they died, Satan put into the hearts of their people that they should set up idols at the places where those elders used to sit, and name them after those pious men. So they did that. At that time the idols were not worshipped. When those people died and knowledge was lost, then the idols began to be worshipped.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas said: These very idols of the people of Nuh (Peace be upon him) were later worshipped in Arabia.

Imam Ibn Jarir narrated in his Tafsir from Muhammad bin Qais (May Allah have mercy on him). He said: These were eminent scholars of the period between Hazrat Adam (Peace be upon him) and Nuh (Peace be upon him). They had some followers who followed their way. When they died, those devoted followers said, “If we make their pictures, remembering them will increase our zeal for worship.” So they made their pictures.

When those who made the pictures died and others came in their place, Iblis put a suggestion into their hearts: “Your forefathers used to worship these pious men, and because of them they received rain.” So those people started worshipping them.

It is narrated from Abd that Abu Ja‘far Muhammad Baqir was offering prayer when an attendant mentioned Yazid bin Muhallab. After finishing the prayer, he said: “You mentioned Yazid bin Muhallab. He was killed in the region where idols were worshipped for the first time.” About Wadd, he said: He was a righteous man who was beloved to everyone in the nation.

When he died, people sat at his grave in Babylon and were deeply grieved. When Iblis saw their grief, he came to them in the form of a man and said, “I see that you are very sorrowful over his death. Shall I not make for you a figure like him, to be kept in his place as a memorial to him?” They said, “Yes.” So he made an idol of Wadd. They placed it in the assembly place and began to remember him and talk about him.

When Iblis saw that people remembered Wadd a lot, he said, “Shall I not make for each one of you in his house a statue like this, so that by looking at it he may remember him?” They said, “Yes, make it.” So he made an idol for each person in his house. They would look at it and remember that saint of Allah, Wadd.

When their children grew up, they saw their elders giving importance to the idols, so they too continued to give them importance. Eventually, the next generations became unaware of why their elders used to remember them. Gradually, however, they started worshipping them. Thus, the first created being that was worshipped was that elder, Wadd.

_Source: Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, Imam Ibn Kathir_