STORY OF IDRIS

Prophet Idris

Prophet Idris (Enoch) was the second Prophet in Islam after Adam. He was the first person to Jihad and fought against corruption of Qabil (Cain).

who isProphet Idrisعَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ?

Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known as Enoch in the Bible, is regarded as either the second or third Prophet in Islam. There are twenty-five Prophets mentioned by name in the Qur'an.

Some historians and scholars like Ibn Kathir consider Prophet Adam's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) third son, Seth (Sheeth), as being his successor and carrying on the responsibilities of Prophethood.

However, his prophetic status in Islam is not definitively confirmed. The details of his life come from older scriptures that have been distorted and corrupted. In Islamic tradition, it is allowed to read and learn about his story, provided that the lessons drawn do not contradict the teachings of the Qur'an. Still, we must be careful as it should not be regarded as truths or used on the basis of religious rulings.

What we can say about Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is that he was the forefather of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). We are told in two separate verses the qualities Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) possessed that made his position elevated in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).

وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَإِدۡرِيسَ وَذَا ٱلۡكِفۡلِۖ كُلّٞ مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

Wa Ismaa’eela wa Idreesa wa Zal Kifli kullum minas saabireen

"And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient."—(Qur'an 21:85)

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ إِدۡرِيسَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقٗا نَّبِيّٗا

Wazkur fil Kitaabi Idrees; innahoo kaana siddeeqan Nabiyyaa

"Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet: And We raised him to a lofty station."—(Qur'an 19:56-57)

Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was a well-built man with a strong, broad chest and spoke with a low voice.It is also said he was tall and handsome and always showed calmness in his demeanor.Beyond his physical attributes, he was also intellectually curious. He pondered the vastness of the universe that his creator made — from the sky, the earth, the moon, the stars, and the clouds. The Tafseer of Maariful Qur'an mentions Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) as the first man who learned how to write with a pen. He had knowledge of astrology and mathematics and was credited as an inventor of many things.

Birth and Prophethood:

He was born during the lifetime of Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). It is believed he was from amongst the followers of Sheeth and ruled the progeny of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) following the death of Sheeth.

Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was a sincere servant of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). Hence, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) chose him as a Prophet and Messenger and elected him as the ruler over the children of Adam.

What began after the death of Sheeth is the people of Cain (Qabil) lost guidance, and sin and corruption began increasing rapidly and spreading. Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) could not bear to watch his own people falling prey to the influence of shaitan.

So Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) instructed Prophet Idris to call for Jihad (holy war) against the corrupt followers of Qabil — Idris was the first Prophet and Messenger in the history of Islam to perform Jihad against corruption.

As commanded by Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), Idris gathered an army of men and battled in the name of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) against the transgressors and emerged victorious.

Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)Victory over Transgressors:

From a narration of the people of the book, which is also mentioned by many Quranic commentators, and Allah knows best — one day, Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was informed by Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) of a remarkable promise. He was told that he would receive the rewards of all the good deeds performed by each man until his last breath. This meant he would receive double the reward.

Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was overjoyed with the news and thanked Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) immensely for all His blessings. But Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was quite old, and he knew death was near. He was not ready to depart from this world as he enjoyed spreading goodness on Earth. He had a friend from the Angels whom he asked whether he could speak to the Angel of Death and see if it could be delayed. The Angel told him this was a matter with Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) but that there was no harm in trying. Thus, Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) got on the Angel's wing and ascended to heaven. He passed through the first, second, and third heaven. However, upon reaching the fourth level, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) commanded the Angel of Death to take his life.

However, upon reaching the fourth level, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) commanded the Angel of Death to take his life.

Idris's dear companion said to the Angel of Death,“Prophet Idris wants to know if you could prolong his life.”The Angel of Death was stunned; he replied,“And where is Idris?”“He is upon my back,”answered the Angel.The Angel of Death replied,“How astonishing! I was sent and told to cease Idris’s soul in the fourth heaven. I kept thinking how I could cease it in the fourth heaven when he was on earth. Subhanallah (glory be to God), He made it happen!”

Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) did not dispute; he simply accepted that if this is what Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) ordained, so be it.

And as Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) instructed, the Angel of Death took the soul of Idris in the fourth heaven.

This remarkable event of Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is confirmed as noted in Sahih Bukhari hadith number 7517 and At-Tirmidhi 3157. When the Prophet Muhammad ascended to the heavens during Isra and Mi'raj (the night journey), he was greeted by various Prophets who came before him. In the first heaven, he met Adam; in the second, Isa and Yahya; in the third, Yusuf; and in the fourth, Idris (may peace be upon them all).

This context brings deeper meaning to the verse where Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) says Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was elevated to a high station. This elevation refers not only to his moral character and righteousness but also to his literal ascension, where he was taken up to the fourth heaven.

Following the death of Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), corruption began to increase rapidly again. Several generations later, with no Prophetic guidance, Shaitan succeeded in influencing the children of Adam to commit their first act of shirk (polytheism).

Teachings of Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ):

Being the one who first wrote with a pen, there are some quotes and sayings that are attributed as being from the teachings of Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). And here they are: