Habil & Qabil — The First Murder

The Story of Habil and Qabil

Eve used to give birth to twins — a boy and a girl — in each pregnancy. The rule was that the son of one pregnancy could marry the daughter of another. It is said that Qabil wanted to marry the wife designated for Habil.

Adam ordered them both to offer a sacrifice to Allah. Allah accepted Habil's offering but not Qabil's.

«وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ابْنَيْ آدَمَ بِالْحَقِّ إِذْ قَرَّبَا قُرْبَانًا»

"And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice..." (Al-Ma'idah 5:27)

Habil said calmly: "Indeed I want you to bear my sin and your sin so you will be among the companions of the Fire." (Al-Ma'idah 5:29)

Qabil killed his brother while he slept. The Prophet ﷺ said: "No soul is killed unjustly except that there is upon the first son of Adam a share of its blood, because he was the first to establish the practice of murder." (Al-Bukhari)

The Crow Teaches Burial

Qabil did not know what to do with the body. A living crow placed a dead crow in the ground and covered it with soil. Qabil was consumed with regret and dug a grave for his brother.

Key Vocabulary