Chapter on the Beginning of Marriage and Its Origin

Zurarah narrated from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام that Adam عليه السلام had a son named Sheeth, whose name means "Gift of Allah سبحانه وتعالى." He was the first successor appointed among humans on earth. After Sheeth, Adam عليه السلام had another son named Yafith. When both sons reached maturity, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, intended to continue human progeny and fulfill what was decreed by His سبحانه وتعالى command. To enforce the prohibition of marriage between brothers and sisters, Allah سبحانه وتعالى sent down, after the afternoon (Asr) on a Thursday, a heavenly woman from Paradise named Nazlah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى commanded Adam عليه السلام to marry her to Sheeth, and so he did. The next afternoon, on Friday, Allah سبحانه وتعالى sent down another heavenly woman from Paradise named Munzalah. Allah سبحانه وتعالى commanded Adam عليه السلام to marry her to Yafith, and so he did. Sheeth and Nazlah had a son, and Yafith and Munzalah had a daughter. When these children grew up, Allah سبحانه وتعالى commanded Adam عليه السلام to marry the daughter of Yafith to the son of Sheeth. Adam obeyed this command, and from their lineage came the chosen ones among the prophets and messengers. Far be it from Allah سبحانه وتعالى that human propagation occurred as some have claimed-through marriage between brothers and sisters. Instead, Allah سبحانه وتعالى ensured the preservation of purity and honor in the lineage through divine arrangements.