Nabi Nuh (As), Nabi Hud (as), Nabi Saleh, Nabi Ibrahim (as)

 

The Timeline of Prophets After Nabi Nuh (Noah, AS):

After the great flood during the time of Nabi Nuh (Noah, peace be upon him), humanity was renewed through his descendants. As humanity spread and developed, Allah sent prophets as guides to ensure the preservation of monotheism and divine teachings. Nabi Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) holds a pivotal place in this timeline, often referred to as the "Father of the Prophets." Here's how his mission fits into the historical scheme after Nabi Nuh (AS).

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1. Nabi Nuh (Noah, AS):

• Nabi Nuh (AS) was sent as a Warner to a corrupt and disobedient people. The Qur'an describes his long and tireless efforts to guide them:

  “Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people, saying, ‘Warn your people before there comes to them a painful punishment.’”
  (Surah Nuh, 71:1)

• Following the flood, humanity was repopulated through his three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. This marked a new era of human civilization.

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2. Nabi Hud (AS):

• Sent to the people of 'Ad, a mighty tribe living in Al-Ahqaf (modern-day Yemen/Oman). They were known for their arrogance, rejecting Allah and oppressing others. Nabi Hud (AS) reminded them of Allah’s blessings, but their refusal to heed his warnings led to their destruction by a fierce wind:

  “And to 'Ad [We sent] their brother Hud. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.’”
  (Surah Hud, 11:50)

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3. Nabi Saleh (AS):

• Sent to the people of Thamud, who succeeded 'Ad and became renowned for their architectural skills, carving homes into mountains. Nabi Saleh (AS) was sent with clear signs, including the miraculous she-camel, as a test of their obedience. However, their arrogance led to their downfall:

  “And to Thamud [We sent] their brother Saleh. He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.’”
  (Surah Hud, 11:61)
  “So the earthquake seized them, and they became within their home [corpses] fallen prone.”
  (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:78)

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4. Nabi Ibrahim (AS):

• Generations after the destruction of Thamud, Nabi Ibrahim (AS) was born into the polytheistic society of Ur (modern-day Iraq). His father, Azar, was an idol-maker. Despite this, Ibrahim (AS) rejected idolatry, questioning his people’s worship of lifeless idols:

  “And when Ibrahim said to his father Azar, ‘Do you take idols as gods? Surely I see you and your people in manifest error.’”
  (Surah Al-An’am, 6:74)

• Universal Mission: Ibrahim’s (AS) role extended far beyond his immediate community. He is regarded as the Khalilullah (Friend of Allah) and the progenitor of many prophets, including Nabi Musa (AS), Nabi Isa (AS), and Nabi Muhammad (SAW):

  “Surely Ibrahim was a model of virtue, obedient to Allah, upright, and he was not among the polytheists.”
  (Surah An-Nahl, 16:120)

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Nabi Ibrahim (AS) in Shia Traditions:

1. His Devotion to Allah’s Will:

• Shia traditions emphasize the submission and unwavering faith of Nabi Ibrahim (AS). He is praised in Dua Abu Hamza Thumali for his steadfastness in recognizing Allah as the sole Lord, even when his people opposed him.

  “Ibrahim was the one who called his people to Allah's oneness, bore immense trials, and left a legacy of submission that is praised in the Qur'an.”

2. Building of the Kaaba:

• With his son Nabi Ismail (AS), Ibrahim (AS) rebuilt the sacred Kaaba as a place of monotheistic worship. Imam Ali (AS) highlights this in Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 1:

  “The Kaaba is a sign of submission and an axis for worship established by Ibrahim and Ismail by the command of Allah.”

3. His Legacy in Karbala:

• Shia scholars draw a connection between Nabi Ibrahim’s (AS) sacrifices and Imam Husayn’s (AS) stance in Karbala. Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (AS), is seen as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Husayn (AS) for Islam.

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Historical Placement of Nabi Ibrahim (AS):

• Timeline: Shia historians place Nabi Ibrahim (AS) around 2000–1900 BCE, making him a central figure after Nabi Nuh (AS), Nabi Hud (AS), and Nabi Saleh (AS).
• His mission was not limited to his immediate community. Ibrahim’s (AS) spiritual and familial legacy reshaped human history, paving the way for both Prophethood and Imamate.

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Sources:

1. The Qur'an:
   • Surah Nuh (71:1)
   • Surah Hud (11:50, 11:61)
   • Surah An-Nahl (16:120)
   • Surah Al-An’am (6:74)
2. Nahjul Balagha – Sermon 1 and other relevant passages.
3. Dua Abu Hamza Thumali – On the virtues of Ibrahim (AS).
4. Tafsir Al-Mizan by Allama Tabatabai – Explanation of the lives of the prophets.
5. Kitab al-Irshad by Shaykh Al-Mufid – Historical insights into prophets and Imams.
6. Al-Bihar al-Anwar by Allama Majlisi – Compilation of prophetic traditions.