The death of the Lord Adam occurred on a Friday, in the holy city of Mekkah. Eve departed this life one, and according to other reports seven, years after him; she was buried by the side of Adam, who did not die before he had seen four thousand of his children and descendants. The number of his own progeny amounted to twenty males and as many females; but, according to more prevalent traditions, the latter were only nineteen. In the preface to the ‘Zafar-nâmah’ it is related that he had twenty-one sons and twenty daughters. It is well known that Sheth was born alone; Sheth is a Syriac word, and means ‘gift of God.’ Sheth is also called the first Uriah; in Syriac he is called a teacher, because he was the first who engaged in teaching religious law and philosophy. It is said that Adam greatly deplored the loss of Habil, whereon Jebrâil descended and said: ‘God will soon present thee with an intelligent son, from whose seed the prince of the sons of men will be born.’ Five years after the murder of Habil— from a regard for the light of Muhammad—Sheth was born alone. A number of historians have related that he was a grandson of Adam, and that his father’s name was Supha, but this opinion we reject. Muhammad Bin Jarir Tabari says that all the genealogies of the sons of men terminate in him, because the seed of man was totally cut off in the time of Nûh (Noah), u. w. b. bl. Sheth perfectly resembled Adam in the beauty of his countenance and in his many virtues. He was his favourite son, and it is said that some time before his decease Adam appointed him his successor, and taught him the hours of the day and of the night, so that man may know what worship is required during each. He also admonished him not to have intercourse with the children of Qabil, and informed him of the impending deluge, ordering him, in case he should survive till that time, to take care of Adam’s bones, or to enjoin his children to do so. Sheth reigned over men and genii, his religion agreed with that of Adam, and the Almighty—w. n. b. ex.—sent him fifty pages, but according to others twenty-nine; they contained mathematical, philosophical, and theological sciences, alchemy and others. He spent most of his life in Syria, and, according to some, he was even born in that country. It is related that most of the sons of Sheth were addicted to solitude; avoiding the society of men, and striving after higher things, they engaged in the service of God. In Sheth’s time the inhabitants of the world were split into two sections, one following him and the other the sons of Qabil, whom he admonished; some of them followed his advice, but others continued in sin; and when nine hundred and twelve years of his age had elapsed, his spirit fled to the throne of grace. The following are some of his sayings: The relation of a king to his subjects is like the relation of the soul to the body; in the same way as the soul does not neglect the body for a single moment, so the king must not forget the care of his subjects even during the twinkling of an eye, in order that they may remain obedient to him. A king who hoards wealth by tyranny acts unrighteously, because the accumulation of treasures can become possible only by keeping the country in a state of prosperity. If a sovereign is even during one day negligent in caring for his subjects, so much detriment will accrue that he will be unable to make it good in one month; indeed, sometimes such mischief ensues that it can never be remedied. It is incumbent on a king to cherish scholars, because this will be an occasion of increase to his virtues; he must also be distinguished by polite manners, adorned with foresight and with patience in his misfortunes; he must abstain from all improper acts; and, lastly, he must remember that an intimate friend is more valuable than even a brother, who covets his inheritance.