📜 About Idris (A.S)
Prophet Idris (AS) holds a distinguished position as the third prophet in Islam, coming after Adam (AS) and his son Seth (AS) . He is generally identified by Islamic scholars with the biblical Enoch . He was born during a time when people had begun to deviate from the pure monotheism taught by Adam and Sheeth, with some accounts mentioning the worship of fire . He lived during the early Generations of Adam and is considered the great-grandfather of Prophet Nuh (AS) .
📖 Praise in the Quran
Though his story is not detailed in the Quran, Allah mentions him by name twice, honoring him with the highest praise:
“And mention in the Book ˹O Prophet, the story of˺ Idris. He was surely a man of truth and a prophet. And We raised him to an honourable station.” (Quran 19:56-57)
In the second instance, Allah groups him with other great prophets:
“And ˹remember˺ Ismail, Idris, and Dhul-Kifl. They were all steadfast. We admitted them into Our mercy, for they were truly of the righteous.” (Quran 21:85-86)
✨ His Life and Contributions
Islamic literature and books on the Stories of the Prophets (Qisas al-Anbiya) provide more context about his blessed life :
- A Scholar and Teacher:His name, “Idris,” is derived from the Arabic word dars (to study), reflecting his deep devotion to studying the scriptures revealed to Adam and Seth . He was a man of great wisdom and knowledge.
- Pioneer of Civilization:He is credited with being the first person to write with a pen . He was also knowledgeable in astronomy and mathematics, and is said to be the first to sew garments and wear stitched clothing (before this, people wore animal skins) .
- Migration for the Sake of Allah:Idris (AS) was born in Babylon (in present-day Iraq) . When many of his people disobeyed his call to worship Allah alone, he advised his followers to migrate. They traveled to the land of Egypt, where they saw the Nile River. There, he continued to preach, teaching people about politics, urban planning, and good moral habits in addition to worship .
🔭 The "Lofty Station" and His Ascension
The Quranic verse stating that Allah “raised him to a lofty station” (19:57) is understood in two complementary ways :
- His High Rank:It refers to the high honor and status granted to him by Allah .
- The Event of His Passing:A famous tradition, narrated by Ka’ab al-Ahbar and reported by Ibn Abbas, provides a beautiful story of how this “lofty station” was manifested. Desiring to increase his good deeds, Idris (AS) asked a trusted angel to speak to the Angel of Death on his behalf. The angel carried him up to the heavens. Upon reaching the fourth heaven, they met the Angel of Death, who said he had been commanded to take Idris’s soul in the fourth heaven. The angel then took his soul, and thus he passed away in the heavens, fulfilling the meaning of “And We raised him to a lofty station” .
This story is further corroborated by the authentic hadith of the Isra and Mi’raj, where Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) encountered Idris (AS) in the fourth heaven during his journey through the celestial spheres .
Prophet Idris (AS) stands as a towering figure of truth, patience, and knowledge. His story highlights the importance of seeking knowledge, being steadfast in faith, and the immense mercy of Allah in honoring His righteous servants.
“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will receive one good deed as ten. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is one letter, but rather Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.”
At-Tirmidhi · Graded Sahih
Subḥānallāhi wa biḥamdih
"Glory be to Allah and His is the Praise" · 100×
NoorWay Editorial
Islamic Content TeamOur editorial team researches, writes and reviews all content to ensure it is grounded in authentic Islamic scholarship. All articles are reviewed before publishing.
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