How authentic is the widespread information which includes: that the first to wish for death was Yusuf (Joseph), peace be upon him; that the first to give the call to prayer in the heavens was Jibril (Gabriel), peace be upon him; that the first to estimate the twelve hours was Nuh (Noah), peace be upon him; that the first to ride horses was Isma'il (Ishmael), peace be upon him; that the first to name Friday was Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy; that the first to say "Subhana Rabbi al-A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) was Israfil, peace be upon him; that the first to write with a pen was Idris (Enoch), peace be upon him; that the first thing revealed from the Torah was "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful); that the first to strive in the way of Allah was Idris, peace be upon him; that the greatest verse in the Qur'an is Ayat al-Kursi (the Verse of the Throne); and that whoever says "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil 'Aliyil 'Azim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and there is no might nor power except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great) seven times after the Fajr and Maghrib prayers will be written among the blissful?
It is difficult to rule on the authenticity of matters related to the 'firsts' (Awa'il)—with the exception of what is mentioned in Ayat al-Kursi—due to the lack of evidence from revelation to substantiate most of them. Rather, historical narrations have been transmitted concerning them, some of which are taken from Isra'iliyyat (Judeo-Christian traditions) whose authenticity cannot be definitively ascertained. Furthermore, what they narrate should not be wholly believed due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Do not believe the People of the Book, nor disbelieve them, but say: 'We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us...'"
It is advisable to focus on the Qur'an and Sunnah, studying them, being certain of what they contain, acting upon them, and teaching them to people. This is more worthy than these matters, the knowledge of which yields little benefit and the ignorance of which causes no harm.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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