Prophet Idris (AS)

Prophet Idris, known as Enoch in English, peace be upon him, holds a distinguished position in Islamic tradition... a prophet endowed with profound wisdom and unwavering devotion to Allah.

His narrative, though briefly mentioned in the Quran, is enriched by various Islamic traditions and scholarly interpretations.

Allah says in Surah Maryam: "And mention in the Book, Idris. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. And We raised him to a high station" (19:56-57).

This passage highlights his truthfulness... and the elevated status granted to him by Allah. He is also mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:85): "And [mention] Ismail and Idris and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient." This second reference places him among a select group of prophets distinguished by their extraordinary patience.

Born in Babylon — present-day Iraq — Idris, peace be upon him, was a direct descendant of Prophet Adam, being the fifth generation after him. His lineage traces through Seth, the righteous son of Adam, through a chain of pious ancestors who preserved the original monotheistic teachings.

He was among the followers of Prophet Seth, peace be upon him, and assumed leadership over the progeny of Adam after Seth's passing. The era following Seth was a critical juncture for humanity. The early generations who had lived close to Adam's time — who had heard firsthand accounts of Paradise, of the fall, of Allah's mercy and forgiveness — were gradually giving way to newer generations who felt less connected to those original teachings. Moral and spiritual decline was beginning to set in.

It was into this environment that Idris rose as a guiding light. He took upon himself the immense responsibility of not only preserving the knowledge that had been passed down from Adam and Seth but also expanding human understanding in ways that would forever change the course of civilization.

His era was marked by significant advancements... and Idris, peace be upon him, is credited with several pioneering contributions to human civilization that scholars regard as transformative milestones in human history.

Islamic tradition holds that Idris was the first human to write with a pen — marking a monumental step in human history! Before Idris, knowledge was transmitted purely through oral tradition, vulnerable to distortion and loss with each passing generation. By introducing writing, Idris created a permanent record of divine guidance, scientific observations, and human wisdom. This single innovation would prove to be one of the most consequential developments in all of human history.

His intellectual pursuits extended to various fields, including astronomy and mathematics. He is also credited with introducing the art of sewing, teaching people to stitch garments... a significant advancement from the primitive clothing methods of his predecessors. Before Idris, people covered themselves with animal skins and leaves. He taught them to use needles and thread, to cut fabric and join pieces together — creating proper clothing that was both functional and dignified. These were not mere technical achievements; they represented the elevation of human life from a state of survival to one of civilization and refinement.

In the field of astronomy, Idris observed the movements of the stars and planets with careful precision. He studied the celestial bodies not as objects of worship — as many later civilizations would — but as signs of Allah's magnificent creation. He calculated the cycles of time, understood the patterns of the heavens, and used this knowledge to benefit his community. His mathematical studies laid groundwork that would be built upon for millennia to come.

Physically, Idris was described as tall and handsome, with a dignified demeanor that reflected his inner wisdom and calmness. His speech was measured and thoughtful, embodying the serenity that comes from deep faith. He was known for his extensive fasting and frequent prayer, spending long nights in worship and contemplation.

During his prophethood, Idris observed the moral decline among his people. Despite his efforts to guide them back to righteousness... many persisted in their sinful ways. He preached tirelessly, calling them to worship Allah alone and to abandon the corruption that was spreading among them. But the people of Babylon had grown attached to their worldly pleasures and were unwilling to change.

In response, Idris, along with a group of devoted followers, migrated from Babylon to Egypt — seeking a place where they could worship Allah without hindrance. This migration was a momentous decision, one that established a precedent of hijrah — leaving one's homeland for the sake of preserving one's faith — that would be echoed by many prophets after him, including Ibrahim and Muhammad, peace be upon them all.

Upon reaching the Nile River, Idris praised Allah for the safe journey and the bounties they encountered. The fertile lands along the Nile provided his community with sustenance and stability. There, Idris continued his mission — teaching, writing, and guiding his followers in the worship of Allah. He established a community rooted in knowledge, faith, and moral integrity.

A remarkable episode in Idris's life involves his encounter with the Angel of Death. According to Islamic traditions, Idris had developed a friendship with an angel who would visit him. One day, Idris asked the angel if he could carry him up to the heavens so that he might taste death and then be restored to life — wishing to experience it so that he could worship Allah with even greater devotion, having understood the reality of the hereafter.

The angel carried Idris upward, and when they reached the fourth heaven, they encountered the Angel of Death. The Angel of Death was surprised, for he had been commanded to take the soul of Idris in the fourth heaven, and he had wondered how Idris — who was on earth — would come to be there. Yet here he was, brought by Allah's decree to the very place appointed for him. Idris's soul was taken, and then — as narrated in some traditions — he was restored and allowed to enter Paradise, from which he did not return.

This extraordinary account illustrates the special favor Allah bestowed upon Idris. The Quranic phrase "We raised him to a high station" takes on a literal meaning in this narrative — Idris was physically elevated to the heavens, a distinction shared by very few in all of prophetic history. During the Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj), Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, met Idris in the fourth heaven, confirming his elevated position.

Prophet Idris serves as a crucial bridge between the era of Adam and the later prophets. He preserved the monotheistic teachings of Adam and Seth during a time when humanity was drifting away from them, and he advanced human civilization through his innovations in writing, science, and craftsmanship. Without the foundation he laid — particularly the invention of writing — the preservation of divine guidance for future generations would have been immeasurably more difficult.

His legacy reminds us that faith and knowledge are not opposing forces but complementary ones. The man who first put pen to paper did so not in pursuit of worldly fame but in service of Allah and humanity. The man who studied the stars did so not to worship them but to better appreciate the One who created them. In Idris, we see a model of what it means to be a complete servant of Allah — one who worships with the heart, serves with the hands, and seeks understanding with the mind. Discover more about the stories of the Quran and the lessons they hold for our lives.