Prophet Idris(pbuh) in the Quran
Prophet Idris (Enoch) (Peace be upon him) is mentioned in the Quran in a few places, and he is considered one of the prophets who were righteous and elevated to a high status.
- Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), Verse 56-57:
Arabic:
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا
وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا
Transliteration:
Wa-uthkur fil-kitaabi Idrees; innahu kaana siddeeqan nabiyyan
Wa rafa’naahu makaanan ‘aliyyaa
Translation:
“And mention in the Book (the story of) Idris (Enoch). Verily he was a man of truth (and) a Prophet.”
“And We raised him to a high station.”
This verse praises Prophet Idris (Enoch) for his truthfulness and prophethood. Allah also mentions that Idris was raised to a lofty position, which some scholars interpret as either a metaphorical or a physical ascension.
- Surah Al-Anbiya (Chapter 21), Verse 85-86:
Arabic:
وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّابِرِينَ
وَأَدْخَلْنَاهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِنَا ۖ إِنَّهُم مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
Transliteration:
Wa Ismaa’eela wa Idreesa wa Zal-Kifli; kullum minas-saabireen
Wa adkhalnaahum fee rahmatinaa; innahum minas-saaliheen
Translation:
“And (remember) Isma’il, Idris (Enoch), and Dhul-Kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience.”
“And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous.”
In this verse, Prophet Idris is mentioned along with Prophet Isma’il and Dhul-Kifl as men of patience and perseverance. Allah highlights their righteous conduct and His mercy towards them.
Mention of Prophet Idris (PBUH) in Hadith
While Prophet Idris (Enoch) is primarily mentioned in the Quran, there are also hadiths that reference him. One notable mention occurs during the Isra’ and Mi’raj (the Night Journey and Ascension) of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 162:
This hadith narrates the experience of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during his ascension to the heavens, where he meets various prophets.
“Then he ascended with me to the second heaven, and it was opened. Then I met Yahya (John) and ‘Isa (Jesus) who were cousins, and each of them said: ‘Welcome, O righteous brother and righteous Prophet.’ Then I was taken up to the third heaven, and I met Idris (Enoch), and he said: ‘Welcome, O righteous brother and righteous Prophet.'”
This hadith mentions that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) met Prophet Idris (PBUH) in the third heaven during his miraculous Night Journey. Prophet Idris greets him as a “righteous brother and Prophet.”
Through the Quran and Hadith, Prophet Idris is recognized for his truthfulness, patience, righteousness, and high status before Allah.
Life of Prophet Idris (PBUH)
Prophet Idris (Enoch), known as a great prophet and one of the earliest messengers sent by Allah, lived during the very early period of humanity, shortly after Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him). Though the Quran does not provide extensive details about his life, Islamic traditions, Hadith, and historical accounts give us a picture of his significance, his virtues, and the lessons we can derive from his story.
1. Ancestry & Period
Prophet Idris (Peace be upon him) is believed to be born several generations after Prophet Adam. According to some Islamic scholars, he is the great-grandfather of Prophet Noah (Nuh), which places him in a period between Adam and Noah. His lineage traces back to Adam, making him one of the first descendants of the human race.
Some traditions suggest that Prophet Idris lived in Babylon, while others mention that he later moved to Egypt, where he spent much of his life preaching Allah’s message.
2. Name and Attributes
Idris is believed to be the same person known as Enoch in the Biblical tradition. In Arabic, the name Idris comes from the root word “darasa” meaning “to study,” and it is said that Prophet Idris was given this name because of his deep love for knowledge and learning.
He was well-versed in various fields of knowledge, including astronomy, mathematics, and writing. Islamic tradition holds that Idris was the first human to write with a pen and introduce the art of writing to humanity.
3. Prophethood and Message
Prophet Idris was sent as a prophet during a time when the descendants of Prophet Adam had started to deviate from the path of righteousness. He called his people back to the worship of Allah and urged them to be obedient and righteous. He reminded them of the fate of those who had gone astray before them.
He is described as a man of truth, patience, and steadfastness. Idris (Peace be upon him) was renowned for his dedication to worship and righteousness. According to some traditions, he fasted every day and spent much of his night in worship, seeking closeness to Allah.
4. Wisdom and Contributions to Humanity
Islamic traditions mention that Prophet Idris was among the first people to receive divine knowledge about various sciences and disciplines. He was given wisdom in matters such as medicine, astronomy, and even the art of tailoring. He is said to have been the first person to invent the needle and teach people how to sew garments. Idris was also a great teacher and guide, imparting moral and practical knowledge to his people.
He taught his people how to read and write, making him one of the pioneers of civilization. His contributions laid the foundation for many skills and crafts that were essential for the growth of human societies.
5. Prophet Idris (Peace Be Upon Him) Ascension to Heaven
One of the most remarkable aspects of Prophet Idris’s life, as mentioned in the Quran, is his ascension to a “high station.” Allah says in Surah Maryam (19:57):
“And We raised him to a high station.”
Scholars interpret this verse to mean that Idris was physically raised into the heavens by Allah. Some Islamic traditions hold that Idris did not die a natural death but was taken up to the heavens, similar to Prophet Isa (Jesus) (Peace be upon him). This is further supported by the Hadith of the Isra’ and Mi’raj (Night Journey), where Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) meets Idris in the third heaven. (Allah Knows Best)
While the Quran does not give explicit details about the event, many Islamic scholars and historians view Idris’s ascension as a sign of his unique status before Allah and his righteousness.
6. Prophet Idris (Peace Be Upon Him) in Islam
While the Quran mentions Prophet Idris (Peace Be Upon Him) only briefly, his life is a source of inspiration for Muslims. His character, marked by patience, steadfastness, and knowledge, exemplifies the qualities that believers should aspire to have. He was a role model in worship, sincerity, and obedience to Allah.
Prophet Idris’s (Peace Be Upon Him) life story is a reminder of the importance of knowledge, hard work, and the pursuit of righteousness. His contributions to society in terms of both spiritual guidance and practical knowledge highlight the balanced nature of Islam, which encourages both devotion to Allah and the advancement of human civilization.
Also, read the Story of Prophet Adam (Pbuh)