The Mosque of Nabi Shiath, or al-Nabi Shith Mosque (مسجد النبي شيث), is a historical mosque and local Muslim shrine dedicated to Prophet Sheet, in the city of Mosul. The original building was commissioned by Ahmad Basha ibn Sulayman Basha al-Jalili in the early thirteenth century (circa 1231 CE).
The site originated as a modest 17th-century CE tomb over the purported burial site of the prophet Shiath (biblical Seth). Later on a small mosque was added sometime during the Ottoman period in the the 18th century CE. In 1815 CE, Ahmad Basha ibn Suleyman Basha al-Jalili replaced both structures with a large congregational mosque, a mausoleum of the prophet, a madrasa, and his own tomb. In 1977 CE, the entire complex, with the exception of the minaret, was demolished and a new concrete mosque was erected at its place. The minaret however was renovated in 1983 CE. This structre was destroyed by ISIL in 2014 CE, and was susequently rebuilt in 2022-23 CE.
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The al-Nabi Shith Mosque, located in Mosul, Iraq, is historically significant as it is believed to house the tomb of Prophet Seth (Shith), the third son of Adam. The mosque's origins trace back to 1647 CE (1057 Hijri) during the Ottoman era, when Mustafa Pasha al-Nishanji, then governor of Mosul, reportedly had a dream revealing the location of Prophet Seth's tomb. Following this vision, a local merchant named Ali ibn al-Numah constructed a domed shrine over the discovered grave, establishing it as a revered site.
In 1791 CE (1206 Hijri), a mosque was built adjacent to the shrine to accommodate daily prayers. Later, in 1815 CE, Ahmad Pasha ibn Suleyman Pasha al-Jalili, a prominent figure from the Jalili family, expanded the complex significantly. He reconstructed the mosque, added a large dome over the tomb, established a madrasa (Islamic school), and built accommodations for students. The complex also included a library housing various manuscripts, reflecting its role as a center for religious education.
A notable architectural feature of the mosque was its minaret, constructed in 1912 by Sa'id Effendi ibn Qasim Agha al-Si'arti. Built from Mosul's characteristic limestone, the minaret was considered one of the city's most beautiful, featuring intricate designs and serving as a prominent landmark.
Unfortunately, on July 24, 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) destroyed the al-Nabi Shith Mosque using explosives, as part of a broader campaign against cultural and religious sites. The demolition resulted in the loss of a significant historical and religious monument.
In response to this destruction, efforts to reconstruct the mosque commenced sometime around 2022 CE, led by local Mosul residents and supported by charitable organizations. The reconstruction was funded through community donations, reflecting the local population's commitment to restoring their cultural heritage. The mosque's rebuilding symbolizes resilience and the importance of preserving historical identity in the face of adversity.
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Interior
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Grave of Nabi Shiath
The newly built mosque also includes the "grave" or cenotaph of prophet Shiath.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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