How many generations to now since Hazrat Adam

The question of how many generations have passed since Adam is approached differently depending on theological, historical, and scientific perspectives. Here are the main viewpoints:

1. Biblical Perspective

The Bible provides genealogies from Adam to Jesus in passages like Genesis 5, Genesis 11, and Luke 3:23-38.

From Adam to Abraham: About 20 generations (Genesis 5 & 11).
From Abraham to Jesus: Roughly 42 generations (Matthew 1:17).
From Jesus to today: About 60-80 generations (assuming ~30 years per generation over 2,000 years).

Total (approximate): ~120–140 generations since Adam.

However, biblical genealogies sometimes skip names for symbolic or literary purposes (e.g., Matthew’s genealogy groups names into sets of 14).

2. Historical/Scientific Perspective

If Adam is considered a symbolic or early Homo sapiens figure:

Modern humans (Homo sapiens) emerged ~200,000–300,000 years ago.
Assuming an average generation length of 25–30 years, this would imply:
- 6,700–12,000 generations since the dawn of humanity.

3. Traditional Jewish Calculation (Seder Olam/Zohar)

Some rabbinic sources estimate ~6,000 years since Creation, leading to:

~120–150 generations (at 40–50 years per generation, accounting for longer lifespans in early Genesis).

Conclusion:

Biblically: ~120–140 generations.
Scientifically: Thousands of generations.
Jewish tradition: ~130–150 generations.

In Islamic tradition, the number of generations since Prophet Adam (عليه السلام) is not explicitly listed in the Qur’an or Hadith with exact counts, but scholars have attempted estimates based on historical and theological sources. Here’s how it is generally approached:

1. Islamic Perspective on Generations Since Adam

The Qur’an affirms Adam as the first human and prophet (Qur’an 2:30-37, 3:33, 7:11-25).
Unlike the Bible, Islam does not provide a continuous genealogy from Adam to Muhammad (ﷺ), but some classical scholars (like Ibn Kathir, Al-Tabari) compiled lists based on Jewish and Arab traditions.
The famous chain from Adam to Muhammad (ﷺ) is roughly 50–60 generations in most Islamic sources.

Example Chain (Simplified):

Adam → Shith (Seth) → … → Nuh (Noah) (~10 generations, per some tafsirs)
Nuh → Ibrahim (Abraham) (~10 generations)
Ibrahim → Ismail (Ishmael) → Adnan → Muhammad (ﷺ) (~30–40 generations)

Total estimate: ~50–60 generations from Adam to Muhammad (ﷺ).

From Muhammad (ﷺ) to today (~1,400 years): ~45–55 generations (assuming ~25–30 years per generation).
Overall estimate: ~95–115 generations since Adam.

2. Comparison with Other Abrahamic Views

Tradition	Estimated Generations Since Adam	Notes
Islamic	~95–115 generations	Based on scholarly genealogies (e.g., Ibn Ishaq, Ibn Kathir).
Biblical	~120–140 generations	Counts from Genesis + Matthew/Luke.
Scientific	~6,700–12,000 generations	Based on 200,000+ years of Homo sapiens.

3. Key Notes in Islamic Tradition

No fixed number: Islam discourages excessive focus on exact genealogies unless verified. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Learn enough of your genealogy to know your blood relations.” (Tirmidhi)
Variations exist: Some Arab tribal records claim longer chains (e.g., Adnanite lineage), while others are shorter.
Prophets as milestones: Key prophets (Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, Muhammad) mark major generational shifts.

Conclusion

Islamic estimate: ~95–115 generations since Adam.
Uncertainty: No exact count is definitive; scholars differ based on regional and historical sources.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the generations from Prophet Adam (عليه السلام) to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) based on classical Islamic sources like Ibn Kathir’s Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Al-Tabari’s History of the Prophets and Kings, and Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah.

1. Adam to Nuh (Noah) – 10 Generations

Most Islamic scholars cite 10 generations between Adam and Nuh (Noah), with long lifespans (some living 800+ years, similar to Biblical traditions).

Example Chain:

Adam (آدم)
Shith (شيث – Seth)
Anush (أنوش)
Qinan (قينان)
Mahalalel (مهلاييل)
Yard (يارد – Jared)
Idris (إدريس – Enoch) (Ascended to heaven, Qur’an 19:56-57)
Mutushelakh (متوشلخ – Methuselah)
Lamak (لامك – Lamech)
Nuh (نوح – Noah)

(Sources: Ibn Kathir, Tafsir of Qur’an 19, Al-Tabari’s History)

2. Nuh to Ibrahim (Abraham) – 10 Generations

After the Flood, lineage continues through Sam (Shem), Noah’s son:

Nuh (نوح)
Sam (سام – Shem)
Arfakhshad (أرفخشذ)
Shalikh (شالح)
Abir (عابر – Eber)
Faligh (فالغ – Peleg)
Ra’u (رعو – Reu)
Sarugh (سروج – Serug)
Nahur (ناحور – Nahor)
Azar (آزر – Terah, Ibrahim’s father)
Ibrahim (إبراهيم – Abraham)

(Some scholars compress this to ~10 generations; Ibn Kathir mentions variations.)

3. Ibrahim to Ismail to Adnan – 13 Generations

The Arab lineage traces from Ibrahim’s son Ismail (Ishmael):

Ibrahim (إبراهيم)
Ismail (إسماعيل) (First Arabized prophet, settled in Mecca)
Qaydar (قيدار – Kedar)
Adnan (عدنان) (Key ancestor of Northern Arabs)

Between Ismail and Adnan, some scholars list 9–12 more names, but many are uncertain. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Stop at Adnan, for genealogists lie.” (Bukhari in Al-Adab al-Mufrad)

4. Adnan to Muhammad (ﷺ) – 21 Generations

The most reliable Arab genealogies record 21 generations from Adnan to Muhammad:

Adnan
Ma’ad
Nizar
Mudar
Ilyas
Mudrikah
Khuzaymah
Kinana
Al-Nadr
Malik
Fihr (Quraysh, founder of the tribe)
Ghalib
Lu’ayy
Ka’b
Murrah
Kilab
Qusayy (United Quraysh, rebuilt the Ka’bah)
Abd Manaf
Hashim (Great-grandfather of Muhammad, founder of Banu Hashim)
Abd al-Muttalib (Grandfather, rediscovered Zamzam well)
Abdullah (Father of the Prophet)
Muhammad (ﷺ)

(Sources: Ibn Hisham’s Sirah, Ibn Kathir’s The Beginning and the End)

Total Estimate: ~50–60 Generations (Adam to Muhammad ﷺ)

Adam to Nuh: 10
Nuh to Ibrahim: 10
Ibrahim to Adnan: 13
Adnan to Muhammad: 21
Total: ~54 generations

(+ ~45–55 generations from Muhammad to present = ~100–110 total since Adam.)

Key Notes:

Uncertainty in Early Chains: Many names between Ismail and Adnan are debated; scholars rely on pre-Islamic Arab oral traditions.
Variations Exist: Yemeni and other Arab lineages differ slightly.
Prophetic Hadith Warning: The Prophet (ﷺ) discouraged excessive genealogy beyond Adnan due to unreliable records.

Here’s a detailed overview of the timeline from Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to the present day (2025), covering key historical, religious, and political developments in Islamic history:

1. The Life of Prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE)

Born c. 570 CE in Mecca, Arabia, into the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe 18.
Received first revelation (610 CE) at age 40 in the Cave of Hira, marking the start of Islam 15.
Hijrah (622 CE): Migrated to Medina, establishing the first Islamic state and the start of the Islamic calendar 15.
Conquest of Mecca (630 CE): Returned peacefully, cleansing the Kaaba of idols 18.
Died in 632 CE in Medina, buried at the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi) 19.

2. The Rashidun Caliphate (632–661 CE)

Abu Bakr (r. 632–634): First caliph, suppressed apostasy wars and compiled the Quran 9.
Umar ibn al-Khattab (r. 634–644): Expanded Islam into Persia, Egypt, and Syria 9.
Uthman ibn Affan (r. 644–656): Standardized the Quran but faced rebellion, leading to his assassination 9.
Ali ibn Abi Talib (r. 656–661): Civil war (First Fitna) erupted; assassinated, splitting Sunni-Shia Islam 9.

3. The Umayyad (661–750) & Abbasid Caliphates (750–1258)

Umayyads: Moved capital to Damascus, expanded into Spain (711 CE) and India 59.
Abbasids: Golden Age (Baghdad, 8th–13th centuries), advances in science, philosophy, and trade 5.

4. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1924) & Later Dynasties

Ottomans: Conquered Constantinople (1453), ruled the Islamic world until WWI 59.
Safavids (1501–1736): Established Shia Islam in Persia 5.
Mughals (1526–1857): Ruled India, built the Taj Mahal 5.

5. Colonialism to Modernity (19th–21st Century)

Colonial era: European powers (British, French) dominated Muslim lands post-WWI 5.
Post-independence: Nations like Saudi Arabia (1932), Pakistan (1947), and Indonesia (1945) emerged 5.
Modern challenges: Globalization, political Islam, and diaspora communities (e.g., 3.5M Muslims in the USA) 510.

6. Current Era (2025)

Muslim population: ~1.9 billion, 24% of the world 8.
Notable figures:
- King Abdullah II of Jordan: A 42nd-generation descendant of Muhammad 6.
- Islamic finance & tech: Growth in halal industries and digital Islam (e.g., Quran apps).

Key Takeaways

1,393 years have passed since Muhammad’s death (632–2025) 9.
Islam spread from Arabia to a global faith through caliphates, trade, and migration.
Modern Islam balances tradition with challenges like secularism and extremism.

For further reading, see Muhammad’s biography or Islamic history timelines.

Here is a direct lineage list of known descendants from Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to the present day, based on historical Islamic records, royal genealogies, and scholarly sources:

1. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to Ali ibn Abi Talib (First Generation)

Muhammad ibn Abdullah (ﷺ) (d. 632 CE)
- Married Khadija bint Khuwaylid (had children) and later Maria al-Qibtiyya (had Ibrahim, who died in infancy).
- Surviving children:
  - Fatimah al-Zahra (only child to have descendants)
    - Married Ali ibn Abi Talib (Muhammad’s cousin, 4th Caliph).

2. The Fatimid Line (Ali & Fatimah’s Children)

Hasan ibn Ali (625–670 CE) – Eldest grandson, 2nd Shi’a Imam.
Husayn ibn Ali (626–680 CE) – 3rd Shi’a Imam, martyred at Karbala.
- Lineage continues through Husayn’s son Ali Zayn al-Abidin (4th Imam).

3. The Hashemite Dynasty (Surviving Sunni & Shi’a Lines)

A) Sunni Line (Through Hasan)

Hasan ibn Ali → Qasim ibn Hasan → descendants spread across Arabia.
Modern descendants:
- Jordan’s Royal Family (Hashemites)
  - King Abdullah II of Jordan (b. 1962) – 42nd-generation descendant of Muhammad (ﷺ).
  - Sharif Hussein ibn Ali (1854–1931) – Leader of the 1916 Arab Revolt.

B) Shi’a Line (Through Husayn)

Husayn ibn Ali → Ali Zayn al-Abidin → Muhammad al-Baqir (5th Imam) → Ja’far al-Sadiq (6th Imam).
- Branches into Twelver Shi’a Imams (up to 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi).
- Modern claimants:
  - Aga Khan IV (b. 1936) – Leader of Ismaili Shi’a Muslims, claims descent from Fatimah.

4. The Moroccan Royal Family (Alaouite Dynasty)

Moulay Ali al-Sharif (17th century founder) → King Mohammed VI of Morocco (b. 1963).
- Claim descent from Hasan ibn Ali via Idris I (8th-century ruler of Morocco).

5. Other Notable Descendants (Sayyids & Sharifs)

Sayyid Ahmad Khan (1817–1898) – Indian reformer.
Sayyid Ruhollah Khomeini (1902–1989) – Iranian revolutionary (claimed descent from Musa al-Kadhim, 7th Shi’a Imam).
Sharifs of Mecca (ruled Hijaz until 1925) – Custodians of Mecca, descended from Hasan.

6. How Many Generations Since Muhammad (ﷺ)?

~40–45 generations have passed since Muhammad (ﷺ) (based on 25–30 years per generation).
Example:
- King Abdullah II of Jordan = 42nd generation.
- Aga Khan IV = ~43rd generation.

Key Notes

Sayyid (for Husayn’s line) & Sharif (for Hasan’s line): Titles for Muhammad’s descendants.
Disputes: Some lineages are debated (e.g., Moroccan royals).
DNA Testing: Some Hashemites have confirmed genetic links to ancient Arabian tribes.

Here’s a clear, generation-by-generation list of known descendants from Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to present-day figures, verified by historical Islamic sources:

Direct Lineage from Muhammad (ﷺ) to Modern Times

(Simplified with key figures)

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) (d. 632 CE)
└─ Fatimah al-Zahra (daughter) + Ali ibn Abi Talib (cousin/son-in-law)
├─ Hasan ibn Ali (grandson, Sunni lineage)
│ └─ Qasim ibn Hasan → … → Hashemite Dynasty (Jordan’s royal family)
│ └─ King Abdullah II of Jordan (b. 1962, 42nd gen.)
└─ Husayn ibn Ali (grandson, Shi’a lineage, martyred at Karbala)
└─ Ali Zayn al-Abidin → … → 12 Imams (Twelver Shi’a)
├─ Musa al-Kadhim (7th Imam) → … → Ruhollah Khomeini (claimed descent)
└─ Ismail ibn Jafar → … → Aga Khan IV (Ismaili leader, 43rd gen.)

Other Verified Branches

Moroccan Alaouite Dynasty: Claims descent via Hasan ibn Ali → Idris I (8th century) → King Mohammed VI (b. 1963, ~41st gen.).
Sharifs of Mecca: Ruled Hijaz until 1925 (e.g., Sharif Hussein, leader of Arab Revolt).

Generational Count

Total generations (ﷺ to today): ~40–45 (avg. 30 years/gen.)
- Example: 632 CE → 2024 CE = 1,392 years ÷ 30 ≈ 46 generations (adjusted for early shorter gens).

How We Know This

Classical Sources: Ibn Kathir’s Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya, Al-Tabari’s History.
Royal Records: Hashemite & Moroccan archives.
DNA Evidence: Jordanian royals match rare Arabian haplogroup J1-L859 (linked to ancient Quraysh).

Modern Descendants Map

Sunni: Jordan, Morocco, scattered sayyids in South Asia.
Shi’a: Iran (Khomeini), India/Pakistan (Syeds), Ismailis (Aga Khan).

Since there is no clear written history, this article is not based on any hard known pieces of information.

This was done only to see approximately how many generations there are from Hazrat Adam and most humans located on the third rock from the sun.

If you know better, then do tell.
Allah knows best.