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From the first prophet Adam AS to the present day. For the life of the Prophet ﷺ, see Seerah.
The 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Quran, in chronological order.
25 prophets mentioned by name in the Quran
النبي آدم عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Adam (peace be upon him) is the first human being and the first prophet sent by Allah. He was created from clay — Allah fashioned him with His own hands and breathed His spirit into him. When Allah commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam in honor of this creation, all obeyed except Iblis, who refused out of arrogance and was thus expelled from the mercy of Allah. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30): "And when your Lord said to the angels: 'I am going to place a successive authority on earth.' They said: 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?' Allah said: 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'" This verse establishes Adam's role as the first khalifah — a vicegerent entrusted with inhabiting and tending the earth. Allah taught Adam the names of all things, a sign of the special knowledge and intellect granted to humanity above other creation. Adam and his wife Hawwa (Eve) were placed in a garden of Paradise and were permitted to enjoy all its fruits except one tree. Deceived by the whispering of Iblis, they ate from it. Recognizing their error, they turned in sincere repentance: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers" (Surah Al-A'raf 7:23). Allah forgave them and sent them to earth as a test, with the promise that guidance would come. On earth, Adam and Hawwa became the parents of all humanity. Adam continued to receive revelation and call his descendants to the worship of Allah alone. He lived approximately 1,000 years — a long and blessed life during which he established the foundations of human civilization, family, and worship. His two sons Habil (Abel) and Qabil (Cain) are mentioned in the Quran in connection with the first act of murder in human history (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:27–31). Adam is honored in Islam as Abu al-Bashar — the father of humanity — and as a prophet who received direct revelation from Allah. His story is a lesson in the mercy of Allah, the danger of arrogance as exemplified by Iblis, the importance of sincere repentance, and the dignity bestowed by Allah upon the human being.
النبي إدريس عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Idris (peace be upon him) is among the earliest prophets mentioned in the Quran. He lived in the generations after Adam and Nuh — classical scholars identify him with the figure known as Enoch in the Abrahamic tradition — though the Quran does not give extensive narrative detail about his mission. Allah praises Idris in two passages of the Quran with remarkable concision. In Surah Maryam (19:56–57), Allah says: "And mention in the Book Idris. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. And We raised him to a high station." The phrase 'raised to a high station' has been interpreted by scholars as referring either to his exceptional spiritual rank, to his physical elevation to the heavens during his lifetime, or to both. The hadith literature includes a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, during the Night Journey, met Idris in the fourth heaven. Idris is also mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:85–86) among a list of praised prophets: "And Ismail and Idris and Dhul-Kifl — all were of the patient. And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous." His inclusion in this list alongside great prophets underscores his high standing. Classical scholars such as Ibn Kathir note that Idris was among the first people to write with a pen, to tailor garments, and to study the science of the celestial bodies — practical knowledge placed in the service of worship and civilization. He is said to have been a student in the prophetic tradition of Adam and to have called his people to the pure monotheism that Adam had established. The life of Idris is a reminder that Islam's prophetic tradition stretches across all of human history, and that Allah never left a people without guidance. Though little detail is given about his specific mission or the people he was sent to, his elevation to a 'high station' and his inclusion among the patient and righteous prophets affirms his rank in the prophetic lineage.
النبي نوح عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Nuh (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest prophets in Islam and is known by the title "the second father of humanity." He was sent by Allah to a people who had fallen into widespread idol worship, and he called them patiently and persistently to the worship of Allah alone for an extraordinary 950 years. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Nuh 71:5-6): "He said: 'My Lord, I have called my people night and day. But my call only increased them in flight.'" Despite his tireless efforts — calling in public and in private, openly and in secret — only a small number believed. The vast majority mocked and rejected him, covering their ears and wrapping themselves in their garments to avoid hearing his message. After centuries of preaching, Allah revealed to Nuh that no more of his people would believe, and He commanded him to build a great ark. Nuh built the ship under divine instruction, and whenever the chiefs of his people passed by, they mocked him. Nuh remained steadfast in his task. When the command came, water gushed forth from the earth and fell from the sky. The Great Flood covered the entire earth, destroying all who had rejected the message of Allah. Nuh loaded onto the ark a pair from every species of animal, along with those who believed with him. One of the most poignant moments in the Quran is the drowning of Nuh's own son, who refused to board the ark (Surah Hud 11:42–43). Nuh called out to his Lord in grief, and Allah reminded him that the disbeliever was not among his true family — the bond of faith supersedes the bond of blood. After the flood receded, the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. Nuh and his followers disembarked and repopulated the earth. The Quran says (Surah As-Saffat 37:77–78): "And We made his descendants the ones who survived. And We left for him favorable mention among later generations." The story of Nuh is a profound lesson in patience, perseverance in calling to truth, the certainty of divine justice, and the reality that nearness of blood does not guarantee salvation — only faith and righteousness do. An entire surah of the Quran (Surah Nuh, 71) is named after him.
النبي هود عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Hud (peace be upon him) was sent by Allah to the people of 'Ad — a powerful and prosperous Arab civilization that lived in the region of Ahqaf in southern Arabia (present-day Yemen). The 'Ad were known for their remarkable physical strength, their tall stature, and their impressive construction of fortresses and palaces. Yet despite their worldly power and civilization, they fell into the worship of idols and arrogance, forgetting Allah who had bestowed all these blessings upon them. Allah sent Hud from among the 'Ad themselves — a man of their own people — to call them back to the worship of Allah alone and to abandon their idols. Hud addressed his people with clarity and sincerity, as recorded in the Quran (Surah Al-A'raf 7:65): "And to the 'Ad We sent their brother Hud. He said: 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Then will you not fear Him?'" The chiefs and elders of the 'Ad rejected Hud's message, mocking him and accusing him of foolishness. They said they would not abandon the gods of their ancestors and challenged Hud to bring upon them the punishment he threatened. They asked: "O Hud, you have not brought us clear evidence, and we will not leave our gods on your word. We are not believers in you" (Surah Hud 11:53). Hud remained patient and steadfast, calling them to repentance and warning them of Allah's punishment. When the 'Ad refused to heed the warning, Allah sent upon them a devastating wind — a fierce, howling, relentless storm that lasted for seven nights and eight days. The Quran describes it vividly (Surah Al-Haqqah 69:7): "Which He unleashed against them for seven nights and eight days in succession, so you would see the people fallen within it as if they were hollow trunks of palm trees." The once-mighty civilization of 'Ad was utterly destroyed, reduced to ruins. Hud and the small group of believers were saved by Allah. An entire surah (Surah Hud, 11) carries the name of his father, and Hud himself is revered in Islamic tradition as one of the Arab prophets — alongside Salih, Shuaib, and Muhammad ﷺ — who brought the message of tawhid to the Arabian Peninsula.
Ahqaf (Southern Arabia)
النبي صالح عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Salih (peace be upon him) was sent by Allah to the people of Thamud — an ancient Arab civilization that inhabited the region of Al-Hijr (Mada'in Salih) in northwestern Arabia, between the Hejaz and Greater Syria. The Thamud succeeded the 'Ad in inhabiting the land, and like their predecessors they became prosperous and powerful, carving magnificent dwellings into the faces of mountains and cliffs. Yet they too fell into polytheism and arrogance. Allah sent Salih from among the Thamud to call them to the worship of Allah alone. Salih reminded them of the lessons of the 'Ad who had come before them, warning that the same fate could befall them if they rejected the truth. The Quran records his appeal (Surah Hud 11:61): "He said: 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask forgiveness of Him and then repent to Him.'" The people of Thamud demanded a miraculous sign to prove Salih's prophethood. By the permission and power of Allah, a she-camel emerged from a rock — a clear, undeniable miracle. Allah designated this camel as a sign and commanded the Thamud to let her graze freely and drink from the water. Salih warned them: "O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah — a sign for you. So let her graze freely in the land of Allah and do not touch her with harm, lest a near punishment seize you" (Surah Hud 11:64). Despite the miracle, the Thamud defied the command. Their leaders incited the killing of the she-camel — a defiant act of rejection of both the sign of Allah and the warning of His prophet. Salih gave them three days to repent, after which Allah's punishment would come. On the fourth day, a mighty blast (al-sayhah) struck the Thamud, and the entire civilization was destroyed. Only Salih and the believers were saved. The ruins of the Thamud civilization survive to this day in the archaeological site of Mada'in Salih in Saudi Arabia — a tangible reminder of what befalls those who reject the message of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, when passing through that area during the Tabuk expedition, instructed his Companions to pass through quickly and not to drink from its water, out of respect for the divine punishment that had struck there.
Al-Hijr (Mada'in Salih, Arabia)
النبي إبراهيم عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) holds one of the most exalted ranks among all the prophets and messengers. He is known by the title Khalil Allah — the intimate friend of Allah — a distinction mentioned explicitly in the Quran (Surah An-Nisa 4:125). He is also called Abu al-Anbiya — the father of the prophets — as the prophetic lineage of both Banu Isra'il (through his son Ishaq) and the Arabs (through his son Ismail) traces back to him, including the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Ibrahim was born into a family of idol-makers in the region of ancient Iraq. From his youth, he used his intellect and the sound nature (fitrah) to reject the worship of idols, stars, the moon, and the sun, declaring: "I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah" (Surah Al-An'am 6:79). He confronted his father and his people with clarity and wisdom, and when they refused to listen, he smashed their idols. This act infuriated the king Nimrod, who ordered Ibrahim thrown into a massive fire. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:68–69): "We said: 'O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim.'" He emerged unharmed. Ibrahim then migrated across the ancient world. He was commanded to leave his wife Hajar and his infant son Ismail in the barren valley of Mecca — an act of trust in Allah that led, by divine provision, to the discovery of the spring of Zamzam and the establishment of what would become the holiest city on earth. The greatest test of Ibrahim's life came when Allah commanded him in a dream to sacrifice his son. Both father and son submitted with complete willingness — Ibrahim raised the knife, and at that moment Allah substituted a ram. This supreme act of surrender is commemorated every year by Muslims during Eid al-Adha. Ibrahim and his son Ismail later raised the foundations of the Ka'bah in Mecca, praying: "Our Lord, accept this from us" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127). The Ka'bah remains the qiblah — the direction of prayer — for over a billion Muslims to this day.
Mecca / Palestine
النبي لوط عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Lut (peace be upon him) was the nephew of Ibrahim and was among those who believed with him and migrated with him from Iraq. Allah then sent Lut as a prophet to the people of Sodom and Gomorrah — cities whose inhabitants had committed an act of indecency so grave and widespread that it was unprecedented in the history of humanity. The people of Sodom committed homosexual acts openly and without shame, and they had made this a defining characteristic of their society, such that when strangers came to Lut's city, the men would seek to violate them. This is described in the Quran (Surah Al-A'raf 7:80–81): "Indeed, you approach men with desire instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people." Lut called his people with patience and sincerity, warning them of the punishment of Allah. He reminded them that they were among the first people to commit such acts, and he called them to repentance. His people responded with mockery and threats, saying they would expel Lut and his family if he did not stop calling them to abandon what they practiced. Angels in the form of young men came to Lut as his guests, sent to deliver the punishment of Allah. When the men of the city came to Lut's home demanding his guests, Lut stood at the door trying to protect them, in anguish at what his people intended. The angels revealed their true identity and told him to take his family and leave before dawn, not looking back. Only Lut and his daughters were saved; his wife was among those who remained and was destroyed. Allah then overturned the cities, raining down upon them stones of layered clay (Surah Hud 11:82–83). The complete destruction of the civilization of the people of Lut is mentioned in the Quran in multiple surahs as a lesson and a warning for all who come after. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "What I fear most for my nation is the deed of the people of Lut" — emphasizing the gravity of this sin.
Sodom (Dead Sea region)
النبي إسماعيل عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Ismail (peace be upon him), the firstborn son of Ibrahim and his wife Hajar, holds a uniquely honored place in Islamic history as the forefather of the Arabs and the ancestor through whom the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ descends. His life was marked from infancy by extraordinary tests of faith and divine provision. When Ismail was still an infant, Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to take Hajar and their child to the barren, waterless valley that would become Mecca. Ibrahim left them there, trusting in Allah's provision. When Hajar asked if this was Allah's command, she accepted without hesitation. With the infant crying in thirst and Hajar running desperately between the hills of Safa and Marwa, Allah caused the spring of Zamzam to burst forth from the earth — a spring that has never ceased flowing to this day. This story is commemorated in the ritual of sa'y (walking between Safa and Marwa) performed by every Muslim during Hajj and Umrah. As Ismail grew, Ibrahim returned periodically. The greatest test came when Ibrahim saw in a dream that he must sacrifice his son. The Quran records the profound conversation between father and son (Surah As-Saffat 37:102): "He said: 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you, so see what you think.' He said: 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.'" Both submitted willingly, and at the moment of sacrifice, Allah substituted a ram, announcing: "You have fulfilled the vision." This is the event commemorated by Eid al-Adha. Ismail and his father Ibrahim then raised the foundations of the Ka'bah, praying: "Our Lord, accept this from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127). Ismail was himself a prophet who continued to call the people of Mecca and Arabia to the worship of Allah alone. The Quran praises him (Surah Maryam 19:54–55): "And mention in the Book Ismail. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet. And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing."
Mecca
النبي إسحاق عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Ishaq (peace be upon him), the son of Ibrahim and his wife Sarah, was given by Allah as a miraculous gift. Sarah was elderly and had never conceived children throughout her long life. The angels who came to Ibrahim with tidings of the destruction of the people of Lut also brought glad tidings of a son: Sarah, in astonishment, said: "Woe to me! Shall I give birth while I am an old woman and this, my husband, is an old man? Indeed, this is a strange thing" (Surah Hud 11:72). But Allah's will transcends all human limitation. Ishaq was born as promised — a son from whom would spring the prophetic lineage of Banu Isra'il, the Children of Israel. The Quran records Allah's blessing (Surah As-Saffat 37:112–113): "And We gave him good tidings of Ishaq, a prophet from among the righteous. And We blessed him and Ishaq. But among their descendants are those who do good and those who clearly wrong themselves." This blessing encompassed the entire prophetic tradition of the Israelites — from Yaqub (Jacob) to Yusuf (Joseph), Musa, Harun, Dawud, Sulayman, and Isa. Ishaq continued the prophetic calling of his father Ibrahim, maintaining the message of tawhid in the land of Canaan (Palestine and Syria). He fathered Yaqub (Jacob), whose twelve sons became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Quran mentions Ibrahim's gratitude upon the births of both Ismail and Ishaq (Surah Ibrahim 14:39): "Praise to Allah, who has granted to me in old age Ismail and Ishaq. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplication." Ishaq represents a pivotal link in the chain of prophethood — the son through whom the entire Israelite prophetic tradition was born, a blessing that culminated in the mission of Isa ibn Maryam before the final prophet Muhammad ﷺ arose from the other son, Ismail. Together, the two sons of Ibrahim represent the two great branches of the Abrahamic prophetic mission.
Canaan (Palestine)
النبي يعقوب عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Yaqub (peace be upon him), also known as Isra'il (from which the name Banu Isra'il — Children of Israel — derives), was the son of Ishaq and the father of twelve sons who became the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was a prophet of Allah who continued the mission of his grandfather Ibrahim and father Ishaq, maintaining the covenant of tawhid in Canaan. The story of Yaqub in the Quran is most prominently connected to his relationship with his beloved son Yusuf. Yaqub recognized the spiritual signs in Yusuf's dream early on, warning him not to tell his brothers lest they envy him. His worst fears came to pass when Yusuf's jealous brothers threw him into a well and presented his blood-stained shirt to their father, claiming a wolf had devoured him. Yaqub recognized the deception but exercised beautiful patience: "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe" (Surah Yusuf 12:18). For years, Yaqub endured the grief of separation from Yusuf. His sadness was so profound that he wept until he lost his sight (Surah Yusuf 12:84). Yet he never lost faith in Allah or gave up hope of reunion, saying: "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know. O my sons, go and find out about Yusuf and his brother and despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people" (Surah Yusuf 12:86–87). Allah reunited Yaqub with Yusuf after long years of separation, restoring his sight through Yusuf's shirt. The family was reunited in Egypt, and Yusuf fulfilled his dream of his parents and brothers prostrating before him in honor. Yaqub's story is an exemplary lesson in patient endurance, constant hope in Allah, and the certainty that divine plans operate beyond what human eyes can see.
Canaan (Palestine)
النبي يوسف عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Yusuf (peace be upon him) is honored in the Quran with an extraordinary distinction — Allah describes his story as "the best of stories" (Surah Yusuf 12:3). An entire surah (Surah Yusuf, chapter 12) is devoted to his narrative, presenting the full arc of his life from his prophetic dream as a child to his reunion with his family as the second most powerful man in Egypt. Yusuf was gifted with extraordinary beauty and was granted the interpretation of dreams — a rare form of divine knowledge. His jealous brothers, unable to tolerate their father's love for him, threw him into a well and sold him into slavery in Egypt. Yet at every stage, Allah was with him. He entered the household of the chief minister of Egypt (Al-Aziz) and, when the minister's wife tried to seduce him, chose prison over sin — one of the most celebrated moments of moral steadfastness in all prophetic history (Surah Yusuf 12:23–24). He said: "My Lord, prison is more to my liking than that to which they invite me." Allah answers that one who is sincere will be protected from evil. In prison, Yusuf interpreted the dreams of his fellow prisoners with accuracy, then went years forgotten. When the king of Egypt had a dream that none could interpret, a former prisoner recalled Yusuf. Yusuf correctly interpreted the king's dream as seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, and was immediately appointed to oversee Egypt's agriculture and grain reserves — rising from slave to minister in a single day. When the famine struck, Yusuf's brothers came to Egypt seeking grain, not recognizing their brother. Over several visits, Yusuf gradually revealed his identity. His reunion with his father, who had wept himself blind, and the fulfillment of his childhood dream (Surah Yusuf 12:100) is one of the most emotionally resonant passages in the Quran. Yusuf's response to his brothers' guilt is a model of forgiveness: "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful" (Surah Yusuf 12:92). Yusuf's story is a comprehensive lesson in patience, chastity, reliance on Allah, forgiveness, and the certainty that divine planning is always at work even in the most desperate circumstances.
Egypt / Canaan
النبي شعيب عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Shuaib (peace be upon him) was sent by Allah to two peoples: the people of Madyan (a prosperous trading community in the Hejaz-Sinai region near the Gulf of Aqaba) and the companions of the Aiykah (the People of the Thicket). Both peoples were engaged in grave commercial corruption — cheating in weights and measures, defrauding customers, robbing travelers, and practicing every form of economic injustice. Shuaib's mission focused specifically on economic and commercial ethics in addition to the call to tawhid. He is sometimes called the "Khatib al-Anbiya" — the orator of the prophets — due to his eloquence in debate. The Quran records his call (Surah Al-A'raf 7:85): "And to Madyan We sent their brother Shuaib. He said: 'O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and do not cause corruption upon the earth after its reformation.'" Shuaib's people responded with contempt. They mocked him, saying his prayers made him want them to abandon what their fathers worshipped, and implying that without their clan's protection he would be stoned. Shuaib replied that he relied on Allah, not on their clan. After the people of Madyan persisted in rejecting the message and refusing to abandon their fraudulent practices, Allah sent upon them the punishment of "the Day of the Shade" — an oppressive cloud that grew over them and then poured down upon them a devastating heat, or in some accounts a thunderous punishment. The Quran says (Surah Hud 11:94): "And when Our command came, We saved Shuaib and those who believed with him by mercy from Us. And the shriek seized those who had wronged, and they became within their homes corpses fallen prone." The Prophet Musa is noted to have worked for Shuaib for ten years as part of his marriage agreement, spending his years in Madyan in preparation before returning to Egypt for his prophetic mission. This connection makes Shuaib the father-in-law of one of the greatest prophets in Islam.
Madyan (near Gulf of Aqaba)
النبي أيوب عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Ayyub (peace be upon him) is the supreme example of patience and gratitude in the face of prolonged and severe affliction. He was a prosperous and blessed man — with family, wealth, and health — and was known for his deep piety, gratitude to Allah, and generosity to others. His story, told in the Quran, is one of the most profound accounts of trial, endurance, and divine mercy in all of prophetic tradition. Ayyub was tested with an extraordinary degree of hardship. He lost his wealth, his children died, and he suffered a severe illness that affected his body for an extended period — classical scholars mention eighteen years, though this is from tafsir literature rather than the Quran itself. Through all of this, Ayyub maintained his patience, remembrance of Allah, and gratitude. The Quran praises him (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:83–84): "And recall Our servant Ayyub, when he called to his Lord: 'Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.' So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We restored his family to him and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers of Allah of divine worship." Ayyub's supplication is one of the most beautiful prayers in the Quran — expressing distress while attributing all mercy to Allah, making no complaint but simply stating his condition. He did not curse his fate or abandon worship. Allah answered his prayer and healed him, restored his family, multiplied his blessings, and praised him: "Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back to Allah" (Surah Sad 38:44). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that among the most severely tested are the prophets, then the most pious, then those similar to them. Among the prophets, Ayyub stands as the greatest embodiment of endurance through suffering, patient gratitude, and unwavering trust in Allah's mercy. His name is invoked in Islamic tradition whenever Muslims face hardship — a reminder that the beloved of Allah are tested the most, and that patient endurance is itself a form of worship.
النبي موسى عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Musa (peace be upon him) is the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Quran, appearing in over seventy passages across dozens of surahs. He is one of the five great Messengers of firm resolve (Ulu al-'Azm) — alongside Nuh, Ibrahim, Isa, and Muhammad ﷺ — and his story contains some of the most detailed and powerful narratives in all of Islamic scripture. Musa was born during the reign of Fir'awn (Pharaoh) in Egypt, at a time when the Banu Isra'il (Children of Israel) were enslaved and oppressed, and Fir'awn had decreed the killing of all newborn Israelite males. Allah inspired Musa's mother to place him in a basket on the river, and the infant was carried by the current directly into the palace of Fir'awn, where he was raised by Fir'awn's own household. After inadvertently causing the death of an Egyptian man during a confrontation, Musa fled to Madyan, where he lived for years, married, and worked as a shepherd. On his return journey, he received his prophethood at the blessed valley of Tuwa when Allah spoke to him directly from a burning bush. He was given two great signs: his staff that could turn into a serpent, and his hand which could become radiantly white. Allah commanded him: "Go to Fir'awn — indeed, he has transgressed" (Surah Ta-Ha 20:24). Musa and his brother Harun confronted Fir'awn and his sorcerers. When the sorcerers cast their ropes and staffs to create the illusion of serpents, Musa's staff swallowed them all. The sorcerers fell in prostration and declared their faith. Despite nine clear miracles, Fir'awn and his people refused to submit. Finally, Allah commanded Musa to lead the Israelites out of Egypt by night. When Fir'awn's army pursued them to the sea, Musa struck the water with his staff. The sea parted, the Israelites crossed to safety, and the sea closed over Fir'awn and his army. Musa received the Torah (Tawrah) on Mount Sinai in direct speech with Allah — an honor that earned him the title Kalim Allah, the one to whom Allah spoke. He led the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years. His story is a timeless lesson in trusting Allah when all worldly means seem exhausted.
Egypt / Sinai
النبي هارون عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Harun (peace be upon him), the brother of Musa, was appointed by Allah as a prophet and assistant to Musa in one of the most touching examples of fraternal support in the Quran. When Musa received his prophethood at the valley of Tuwa, he immediately made a heartfelt supplication for his brother (Surah Ta-Ha 20:29–32): "And appoint for me a minister from my family — Harun, my brother. Increase through him my strength and let him share my task — that we may exalt You much and remember You much. Indeed, You are of us ever Seeing." Allah granted this request and made Harun a prophet alongside Musa. Harun was known for his eloquence and gentleness of speech — qualities that complemented Musa's more direct approach. Together they were sent to Fir'awn as a united front of prophethood, with Allah assuring them: "Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see" (Surah Ta-Ha 20:46). Harun remained with the Israelites when Musa ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. In Musa's absence, a man named al-Samiri crafted a golden calf for the people, who fell into worshipping it. Harun had strenuously opposed this, warning the people against it, but they were too numerous and threatening for him to stop by force (Surah Ta-Ha 20:90–92). When Musa returned and confronted him in anger, Harun explained his helplessness: "O son of my mother, do not seize me by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say: 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe my word.'" Musa accepted this explanation, and both prayed for Allah's forgiveness. Harun died before Musa on the journey through the wilderness, before the entry into the Promised Land. He was a prophet of compassion and measured wisdom, whose life demonstrates that prophethood sometimes requires sharing the burden and supporting the mission of another, with sincerity and patience even when outnumbered by opposition.
Egypt / Sinai
النبي ذو الكفل عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Dhul-Kifl (peace be upon him) is mentioned twice in the Quran, grouped with other praised prophets. In Surah Al-Anbiya (21:85–86), Allah says: "And Ismail and Idris and Dhul-Kifl — all were of the patient. And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous." He also appears in Surah Sad (38:48): "And remember Our servants Ismail, Alyasa, and Dhul-Kifl, and all are among the outstanding." The name Dhul-Kifl means "the possessor of kifl" — scholars have differed over its exact meaning. Some interpret kifl as a portion, a guarantee, or a double reward. Others suggest it refers to a land or region named Kifl. The exact identity of Dhul-Kifl and the people to whom he was sent is not specified in the Quran. Classical scholars have offered various identifications, with some suggesting he may correspond to the prophet Ezekiel or the righteous king Dhul-Kifl mentioned in Jewish tradition, while others caution against such identifications without clear textual evidence. Ibn Kathir discusses him in his book on the prophets' stories (Qisas al-Anbiya') but notes the scarcity of definitive information. What is certain from the Quran is that Dhul-Kifl was a prophet of Allah, counted among the patient, admitted into Allah's mercy, and regarded as among the outstanding servants of Allah. His mention alongside Ismail, Idris, and Alyasa in the context of praising prophets of exceptional patience and righteousness is itself a testimony to his rank. The brevity of his Quranic mention is itself instructive — it reminds us that the full knowledge of the prophets' stories belongs to Allah alone, and that the Quran mentions what is needed for guidance, not exhaustive historical record. We affirm his prophethood and his virtue while acknowledging that the details of his mission remain known primarily to Allah.
النبي داود عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Dawud (peace be upon him) was both a prophet of Allah and a mighty king of the Children of Israel. His story is a testament to the fact that divine favor, extraordinary gifts, and political authority can be combined with deep personal piety and constant remembrance of Allah. Dawud's rise to prominence began on the battlefield when, as a young man among the Israelite forces, he stepped forward to face the fearsome giant warrior Jalut (Goliath). While the seasoned soldiers of the army were too afraid to confront Jalut, Dawud — armed with faith and a sling — struck Jalut and killed him. Allah says in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:251): "So Dawud killed Jalut, and Allah gave him the kingdom and prophethood and taught him from that which He willed." Allah blessed Dawud with an extraordinary combination of gifts unlike any other prophet. He was given the Zabur (Psalms), revealed scripture in which he praised Allah with words of profound beauty. His voice in dhikr and tasbih was uniquely powerful — the mountains and birds would join him in glorifying Allah (Surah Saba 34:10). Allah also made iron pliant and soft in his hands, teaching him the craft of weaving coats of armor (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:80). Dawud used this craft to support himself and his family rather than rely on the treasury of the state — a model of principled self-sufficiency. As a ruler and judge, Dawud was known for his wisdom and discernment. He fasted every other day — the most demanding voluntary fast — and prayed the first half of every night. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "The most beloved fast to Allah is the fast of Dawud, and the most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of Dawud" (Sahih al-Bukhari). Dawud's son Sulayman (Solomon) succeeded him as both prophet and king, and together their reigns represent the pinnacle of the Israelite prophetic civilization.
Jerusalem
النبي سليمان عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Sulayman (peace be upon him), son of the prophet Dawud, was granted by Allah a kingdom of unparalleled power and scope — one that has never been matched before or since. Yet he was simultaneously a deeply devout prophet who combined worldly authority with sincere servitude to Allah, and who prayed: "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower" (Surah Sad 38:35). Among the extraordinary gifts given to Sulayman was command over the wind (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:81). The jinn were subjected to his authority — they built for him great structures, dived into the sea to retrieve treasures, and carried out whatever tasks he commanded (Surah Saba 34:12–13). Sulayman was also granted the remarkable ability to understand and speak the language of animals and birds. The Quran records him hearing an ant warn its colony as his vast army marched — and Sulayman smiled, grateful to Allah (Surah An-Naml 27:18–19). The story of Sulayman and the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) is one of the most celebrated narratives in the Quran (Surah An-Naml 27:20–44). His hoopoe bird brought news of a great queen who worshipped the sun. Sulayman sent her a message calling her to Islam. Before she arrived, her throne was transported to his court in the blink of an eye. When she saw the magnificent crystal court, she recognized the truth and submitted to Allah along with Sulayman. Sulayman oversaw the construction of Bayt al-Maqdis (the Temple in Jerusalem) — one of the great architectural and spiritual achievements of the prophetic era. His story is a lesson in using worldly power and divine gifts in the service of Allah and maintaining gratitude for extraordinary blessings.
Jerusalem
النبي إلياس عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Ilyas (peace be upon him) was sent by Allah to the Children of Israel in the northern kingdom of Israel after the era of Dawud and Sulayman. He is identified by most classical scholars as corresponding to the prophet Elijah in the biblical tradition. His mission was to call the Israelites back to the worship of Allah alone and away from the worship of the idol Ba'l (Baal), to which they had fallen. The Quran records his mission in Surah As-Saffat (37:123–125): "And indeed, Ilyas was among the messengers. When he said to his people: 'Will you not fear Allah? Do you call upon Baal and leave the best of creators — Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers of old?'" The Israelites of his time rejected him and denied his prophethood. Despite their rejection, Ilyas persisted in his calling, warning them of the consequences of their idolatry. The Quran mentions that his people denied him while a small group of believers accepted his message. Allah praises Ilyas and affirms his rank among the prophets. The Quran says (Surah As-Saffat 37:129–132): "And We left for him favorable mention among later generations: 'Peace upon Ilyas.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants." In the Islamic tradition, Ilyas holds a particularly revered place. Some scholars, based on hadith literature, suggest that he may still be alive — like Isa (who was raised to the heavens) and Khidr — fulfilling a special divine role until the Day of Judgment. However, these reports are the subject of scholarly discussion and are not matters of creed. What is confirmed by the Quran is his rank among the praised prophets, his steadfast mission against idolatry, and Allah's preservation of his honorable mention for generations to come.
Northern Israel
النبي اليسع عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Alyasa (peace be upon him) is among the prophets mentioned in the Quran with high praise, identified by classical scholars as corresponding to the prophet Elisha. He is mentioned alongside other great prophets in two passages of the Quran, affirming his rank and virtue. In Surah Al-An'am (6:85–87), Allah lists Alyasa among a series of honored prophets: "And Zakariyya and Yahya and Isa and Ilyas — all were of the righteous. And Ismail and Alyasa and Yunus and Lut — and all We preferred above the worlds." The phrase "preferred above the worlds" is a remarkable elevation — indicating these prophets were chosen above all creation in their time. Alyasa is also mentioned in Surah Sad (38:48): "And remember Our servants Ismail and Alyasa and Dhul-Kifl — and all are among the outstanding." The term "outstanding" (akhyar) places him among the best of Allah's servants. In the biblical tradition, Elisha was the successor and disciple of Elijah. He performed miracles and continued the prophetic mission of calling Israel back to the worship of the one God. Islamic tradition does not provide detailed narrative about Alyasa's specific mission or the miracles he performed, as the Quran focuses on establishing his rank rather than narrating his story in detail. The mention of Alyasa in the Quran is a reminder that Allah's guidance has been present throughout all of human history — through a long chain of prophets sent to different peoples and times. Each of these prophets carried the same essential message: worship Allah alone, avoid associating partners with Him, and live righteously. Alyasa's high praise in the Quran ensures his place among the honored prophets of Allah, even though the details of his mission are known more fully to Allah than to us.
النبي يونس عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Yunus (peace be upon him), also known by his title Dhul-Nun (the Companion of the Whale), is among the most uniquely tested prophets in Islamic history. He was sent to the people of Nineveh — a great city in what is now northern Iraq — and his story contains one of the most extraordinary lessons in patience, accountability, and the encompassing mercy of Allah. Yunus called his people to Allah for a long period, but they persistently rejected his message. Frustrated and without Allah's express permission to leave, Yunus departed from his people prematurely. He boarded a ship, and when the sea became rough the sailors cast lots to determine who should be thrown overboard to lighten the load — the lot fell on Yunus three times. He was cast into the sea and swallowed by a great whale. Inside the belly of the whale, in the darkness upon darkness upon darkness, Yunus called upon Allah in an extraordinary supplication that the Quran preserves (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:87): "And he called out within the darknesses: 'There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.'" This prayer — combining absolute tawhid, glorification of Allah, and admission of one's own error — is known in Islamic tradition as Ayat al-Karim, and scholars consider it among the most powerful supplications a Muslim can make in distress. Allah answered Yunus, commanding the whale to cast him onto the shore. Yunus emerged sick and weak, sheltered by a plant that Allah caused to grow over him. Then Allah sent him back to his people — one hundred thousand or more — who had already repented and believed after a sign of the coming punishment appeared. The Quran notes this as a unique event: a people who believed after seeing the signs of punishment and were spared (Surah Yunus 10:98). An entire surah (Surah Yunus, 10) bears the name of his people. Yunus is also called Sahibul Hut (Companion of the Fish). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Do not prefer me above Yunus ibn Matta" — indicating the high rank of Yunus despite the nature of his trial.
Nineveh (northern Iraq)
النبي زكريا عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Zakariyya (peace be upon him) was a prophet of the Children of Israel who served as the guardian of Maryam (Mary), the mother of Isa. His story is intimately connected to one of the greatest miracles recorded in the Quran — the birth of his son Yahya (John the Baptist) in old age to an infertile wife. Zakariyya was deeply moved when he tended to Maryam and observed that she was provided with miraculous food — whenever he entered her place of prayer, he found fresh provisions, and when he asked where it came from she said: "It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account" (Surah Aal Imran 3:37). This encounter inspired Zakariyya to make a heartfelt supplication for an heir, even though he was old and his wife was barren (Surah Aal Imran 3:38–40; Surah Maryam 19:3–6). His supplication in Surah Maryam is particularly moving: "My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy. And indeed, I fear the successors after me, and my wife has been barren, so give me from Yourself an heir who will inherit me and inherit from the family of Yaqub. And make him, my Lord, pleasing to You" (Surah Maryam 19:4–6). Allah answered his prayer and announced through the angels that Zakariyya would have a son named Yahya — a name not given to anyone before. When Zakariyya asked for a confirming sign, he was told that he would not speak to people for three days except by gesture. This was not a punishment but a divine token to mark the beginning of the miracle. Zakariyya's life exemplifies the power of sincere supplication, the importance of hope in Allah's mercy even against all worldly probability, and the connection between prophets as a family of guided believers throughout history. The Quran honors him among the patient and the righteous.
Jerusalem / Palestine
النبي يحيى عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Yahya (peace be upon him), son of Zakariyya, is one of the prophets born through a miraculous divine gift — his father was very old and his mother was barren, yet Allah willed his creation. His birth was announced in advance through revelation, and Allah gave him his name directly — a name not given to any person before him (Surah Maryam 19:7). Allah honored Yahya with one of the most comprehensive collections of praise in the Quran. In a single concentrated passage (Surah Maryam 19:12–15), Allah says: "O Yahya, take the Scripture with determination. And We gave him judgement while still a child. And affection from Us and purity, and he was righteous. And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant. And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive." This verse describes Yahya as being given wisdom (hukm) from childhood — an extraordinary honor that placed him among the prophets despite his young age. He was noted for his purity, his compassion, his obedience to his parents, and his abstinence from the worldly distractions of his time. Classical scholars highlight his extreme asceticism: he wore rough garments, ate simple food, wept abundantly from the fear of Allah, and avoided the amusements and distractions that occupied those around him. Yahya's mission was to call the Children of Israel to repentance and righteousness before the arrival of Isa ibn Maryam — and the Quran records that he confirmed the word from Allah about Isa (Surah Aal Imran 3:39). He is thus a prophet who served as a forerunner and supporter of the penultimate prophet before Muhammad ﷺ. The verse that ends his Quranic passage — "peace upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive" — is nearly identical to the words Isa speaks about himself in the Quran (Surah Maryam 19:33), underscoring the deep spiritual kinship between these two prophets of the final era before Muhammad ﷺ.
Palestine / Jordan
النبي عيسى عليه السلام
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary, peace be upon him) is one of the greatest prophets and messengers in Islam — a word and spirit from Allah, sent to the Children of Israel as the penultimate messenger before the final Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His birth, mission, miracles, and ultimate fate are described in the Quran in remarkable detail, and an entire surah is named after his mother (Surah Maryam, 19). Isa's birth was one of the greatest miracles in history. His mother Maryam was a chaste and devout woman, chosen above all the women of her time. The angel Jibril announced that she would bear a son by the command of Allah alone, without a father. The creation of Isa without a father is compared in the Quran to the creation of Adam: "Indeed, the example of Isa to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust; then He said to him, 'Be,' and he was" (Surah Aal Imran 3:59). Allah gave Isa extraordinary miracles: he spoke as an infant in the cradle to defend his mother's honor; he fashioned the form of a bird from clay and breathed life into it by Allah's permission; he healed the blind and the leper; and he raised the dead — all by the permission of Allah alone (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:110). Isa was given the Injeel (Gospel) — divine revelation calling humanity to the worship of Allah alone. He foretold the coming of the final prophet, referred to in the Quran as Ahmad (Surah As-Saff 61:6). Islam firmly rejects the Christian doctrine of crucifixion and divinity. The Quran is explicit: "They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them" (Surah An-Nisa 4:157). Rather, Allah raised Isa to Himself — he is alive in the heavens and will return before the Day of Judgment to confirm the truth of Islam and restore justice on earth. His return is among the major signs of the Hour. Isa is honored in Islam as Ruh min Allah — a spirit from Allah — and as the Masih (Messiah), but he is a human prophet and servant of Allah, not divine, not a son of God.
Palestine
النبي محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم
Pre-Islamic Prophets
Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the Seal of the Prophets, is the final messenger sent by Allah to all of humanity and jinn until the Day of Judgment. His prophethood is the culmination of the entire prophetic chain stretching from Adam through all the prophets of Banu Isra'il and the Arab prophets — the completion of the religion of tawhid that began with the first human being. Muhammad ﷺ was born in Mecca around 570 CE, in the Year of the Elephant, into the noble clan of the Banu Hashim of the Quraysh. His father Abdullah died before his birth, and his mother Aminah died when he was six years old. He was raised by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib and then by his uncle Abu Talib. In a society marked by idolatry, tribalism, injustice, and ignorance, the young Muhammad ﷺ was known as Al-Amin — the Trustworthy — for his honesty and character. At the age of forty, while engaged in spiritual retreat in the Cave of Hira, the first revelation descended: "Read in the name of your Lord who created — Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous — Who taught by the pen — Taught man that which he knew not" (Surah Al-Alaq 96:1–5). The prophethood had begun. Over the next twenty-three years, the Quran was revealed to him in stages — a complete way of life addressing every dimension of human existence. The Prophet ﷺ spent thirteen years in Mecca calling to tawhid, enduring persecution, torture of his followers, boycotts, and loss. He then migrated to Medina (the Hijrah), which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. In Medina he established the first Muslim community — a model of governance, brotherhood, and justice unlike anything the world had seen. In the remaining ten years of his life, Islam spread across the Arabian Peninsula, the Quran was completed and preserved, and over one hundred thousand Companions gathered for the Farewell Hajj. Allah describes him in the Quran (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107): "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds." The Prophet ﷺ said: "I was sent to perfect noble character." His Sunnah — his words, actions, and tacit approvals — forms the second source of Islamic law alongside the Quran and is preserved in the great hadith collections. He died in Medina in 11 AH / 632 CE at the age of sixty-three, having fulfilled his trust completely.
Mecca / Medina
These are the 25 prophets and messengers mentioned by name in the Quran. Islamic tradition holds that Allah sent 124,000 prophets throughout history — these are those whose names are preserved in the final revelation. All were human beings sent to call their people to the worship of Allah alone.