FoundationsEnglish guideUpdated

The Prophets in the Qur'an: All 25 Named Prophets and Their Stories

The 25 prophets named in the Qur'an, from Adam to Muhammad, with verses for each, how a prophet differs from a messenger, and lessons from their stories.

DIRECT SUMMARY

What this guide covers

The Qur'an names twenty-five prophets, from Adam to Muhammad, a total that Ibn Kathir reaches by adding Dhul-Kifl, whom several commentators counted among them. The Qur'an also says that Allah sent messengers it does not name, so twenty-five is a teaching count rather than a limit. Muslims believe in all the prophets without distinction, regard Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets, and read their stories for lessons in patience, trust in Allah and forgiveness.

Scope: An introduction for beginners to the prophets named in the Qur'an, using verses from the site's verified corpus, identified hadith and attributed scholarly explanations. It does not retell every story, settle questions on which scholars differ or give any ruling or fatwa; study the stories with a qualified teacher and a recognised tafsir.

Key takeaways

  • The Qur'an names twenty-five prophets, from Adam to Muhammad; eighteen appear together in 6:83-86.
  • Qur'an 40:78 and 4:164 say some messengers were not named, so twenty-five is a teaching count, not a total.
  • Muslims believe in every prophet and make no distinction between them in faith (2:285, 2:136).
  • A common scholarly explanation is that every messenger (rasul) is a prophet (nabi), but not every prophet is a messenger.
  • Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets (33:40), and five are commonly named as the messengers of firm resolve.
  • The prophets' stories teach patience, trust in Allah and forgiveness.
A line of small stone cairns across a desert plain under a starry sky, leading towards a glow on the horizon.

A line of stone markers across the desert, each pointing the way to the next, recalls how messengers were sent to people one after another. The guide below lists the prophets named in the Quran and what their stories teach.

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Editorial status: Prepared by MyDeenPath Editorial with AI-assisted drafting and source checks under our published policy. Independent scholarly review is pending. It does not provide a personalised religious ruling.

Who are the 25 prophets named in the Qur'an?

The Qur'an names twenty-five prophets, from Adam to Muhammad. In his commentary on Qur'an 4:164, Ibn Kathir lists twenty-four of them by name and adds that several scholars of tafsir also counted Dhul-Kifl, which gives the familiar total of twenty-five. Eighteen of them appear together in one passage, Qur'an 6:83-86, from Abraham to Lot.

The other seven, Adam, Idris, Hud, Salih, Shu'ayb, Dhul-Kifl and Muhammad, are named elsewhere. The table gives each name as it is usually transliterated from Arabic, the common English form where one exists, and two verses where the English translation used on this site names him. Some translations, including the one shown on Quran.com, render Idris as Enoch.

Name in the Qur'anCommon English nameWhere the Qur'an names him
AdamAdam2:31; 3:33
IdrisRendered Enoch in some translations19:56; 21:85
NuhNoah71:1; 6:84
HudNo agreed English equivalent11:50; 7:65
SalihNo agreed English equivalent11:61; 7:73
IbrahimAbraham19:41; 4:125
LutLot6:86; 37:133
IsmailIshmael19:54; 2:127
IshaqIsaac19:49; 37:112
YaqubJacob19:49; 2:132
YusufJoseph12:4; 6:84
AyyubJob21:83; 38:41
Shu'aybNo agreed English equivalent11:84; 7:85
MusaMoses19:51; 4:164
HarunAaron19:53; 6:84
Dhul-KiflNo agreed English equivalent21:85; 38:48
DawudDavid4:163; 38:17
SulaymanSolomon27:15; 6:84
IlyasElijah (Elias)6:85; 37:123
Al-Yasa'Elisha6:86; 38:48
YunusJonah10:98; 37:139
ZakariyyaZechariah (Zachariah)19:2; 6:85
YahyaJohn19:12; 6:85
IsaJesus3:45; 6:85
MuhammadMuhammad33:40; 48:29

Sources: [1] [14] [19] [15] [16] [17] [20] [32]

Were there prophets besides the 25 named in the Qur'an?

Yes. The Qur'an says plainly that it does not name every messenger: Qur'an 40:78 and 4:164 say that Allah told the Prophet about some messengers and not about others. Qur'an 35:24 adds that every nation has had a warner, and 16:36 that a messenger was raised in every nation to call people to serve Allah. Twenty-five is therefore a teaching count of the prophets the Qur'an names, not a total.

Scholars also differ over some figures the Qur'an mentions. The views below are attributed to the sources cited, and a teacher can explain the evidence each side relies on.

  • Dhul-Kifl is praised among the steadfast and the chosen (21:85, 38:48); Ibn Kathir mentions him after his list, noting that several commentators counted him among the prophets.
  • Luqman, after whom Surah 31 is named, was given wisdom (31:12); Ibn Kathir reports that the early generations differed and that most held he was a righteous servant, not a prophet.
  • Al-Khidr, the servant of Allah whom Musa meets in Surah Al-Kahf (18:65), is not named in the Qur'an; a SeekersGuidance answer reports that scholars differed, with Ibn Hajar citing Ibn Atiyya that most held he was a prophet and others, such as al-Qushayri, calling him a saint.
  • Dhul-Qarnayn, the ruler in Surah Al-Kahf (18:83), is described in a SeekersGuidance article as a righteous ruler whom most scholars did not consider a prophet.

Sources: [21] [20] [22] [23] [1] [19] [5] [8] [9]

Why do Muslims believe in all the prophets?

Belief in all of Allah's messengers is part of Muslim faith, and the Qur'an rules out accepting some while rejecting others. Qur'an 2:285 describes the Messenger and the believers as believing in Allah, His angels, His scriptures and His messengers, saying that they make no distinction between any of His messengers. Qur'an 2:136 tells Muslims to affirm what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the tribes, and what Moses, Jesus and the prophets received from their Lord.

Ibn Kathir explains the phrase in his commentary on 2:285: believers do not differentiate between the prophets by believing in some and rejecting others, but hold all of them to be truthful and rightly guided. This does not mean every prophet had the same rank, since Qur'an 2:253 says Allah caused some messengers to excel others. In Sahih al-Bukhari 3443 the Prophet described the prophets as brothers with one father and different mothers, whose religion is one.

Sources: [24] [25] [2] [26] [11]

What is the difference between a prophet (nabi) and a messenger (rasul)?

Scholars have differed over whether the two words mean different things, and those who distinguish them explain the difference in more than one way. An IslamQA answer, which holds that there is a difference, gives the best-known view in the words of al-Khattabi: both receive revelation, but the messenger (rasul) is the one commanded to convey it, so every messenger is a prophet (nabi) but not every prophet is a messenger.

The same answer cites other scholars who say that a messenger brings a book or a new law, often to a people who reject the truth, while a prophet calls people to the law of an earlier messenger, as the prophets of the Children of Israel judged by the Torah. Qur'an 22:52 speaks of both a messenger and a prophet being sent, and Qur'an 19:51 and 19:54 describe Musa and Ismail as each being a messenger and a prophet.

Sources: [7] [27] [28]

Who are the messengers of firm resolve (ulu al-'azm)?

They are five messengers commonly singled out for their patience and determination: Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Muhammad. Qur'an 46:35 tells the Prophet to be patient as the messengers of firm resolve were patient, without naming them; Ibn Kathir, commenting on that verse, identifies these five and notes that the Qur'an names them together in 33:7 and 42:13.

Qur'an 33:7 describes the solemn covenant Allah took from the prophets, naming the Prophet, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus son of Mary, and 42:13 says the religion ordained for the believers is the one commended to Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. Ibn Kathir's commentary on 33:7 calls them the five mighty messengers with strong resolve.

Sources: [29] [3] [30] [31] [4]

What does it mean that Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets?

It means he is the last of the prophets, completing the line that began with Adam. Qur'an 33:40 says that Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. In Sahih al-Bukhari 3535 he compared the prophets before him to a fine house with one brick missing from a corner, and said: I am that brick, and I am the last of the prophets.

Britannica's article on Islam likewise explains that Muslims regard Muhammad as the last of a series of prophets, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon and Jesus, whose message completes the earlier revelations. Qur'an 61:6 records Jesus giving good tidings of a messenger who would come after him, whose name, Ahmad, is rendered as the Praised One in the translation used on this site.

Sources: [32] [12] [10] [33]

What lessons do the prophets' stories teach?

The Qur'an tells these stories to guide and strengthen its readers. Qur'an 12:111 says there is a lesson in their history for people of understanding, and 11:120 says the stories of the messengers are told to make the Prophet's heart firm. The examples below show some of the qualities the stories teach.

Ibn Kathir, commenting on Ayyub, says he was made an example so that people beset by trials would not think Allah had stopped caring for them, and so that they could take him as a model of patience in accepting what Allah decrees.

  • Patience: Ayyub called on his Lord, the Most Merciful, in his affliction and was restored (21:83-84), and Allah says, We found him steadfast (38:44).
  • Forgiveness: when the brothers who had wronged Yusuf stood before him, he told them they had nothing to fear that day and prayed that Allah would forgive them (12:92).
  • Trust: when Ibrahim was thrown into the fire, Allah commanded it to be coolness and peace for him (21:69), and Ibn Abbas reports that his words were: Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs (Sahih al-Bukhari 4563).
  • Turning back to Allah: Yunus, called Dhu'n-Nun in 21:87, cried out in the darkness that there is no god but Him and confessed his wrong, and Allah saved him (21:87-88).
  • Perseverance: Nuh remained among his people for a thousand years less fifty, calling them to Allah (29:14).

Sources: [34] [35] [36] [6] [37] [38] [13] [39] [40]

Which surahs of the Qur'an are named after prophets?

Six chapters carry a prophet's name: Yunus (10), Hud (11), Yusuf (12), Ibrahim (14), Muhammad (47) and Nuh (71). Surah Maryam (19) is named after Maryam, the mother of Isa, and tells of Zakariyya, Yahya, Isa, Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, Musa, Harun, Ismail and Idris, while Surah Al-Anbiya (21), whose title means the Prophets, gathers many of their stories in one chapter.

Reading one of these surahs from beginning to end is a good way to meet the prophets in the Qur'an's own words. Surah Yusuf, which the Qur'an introduces as the best of narratives (12:3), follows Yusuf from his childhood dream (12:4) to his reunion with his family (12:100).

Sources: [17] [18] [16] [41]

VERIFIED QURAN CORPUS

Quran passages in this guide

Read each complete verse below in Arabic and the identified English interpretation. Follow the context link before drawing conclusions from an isolated verse.

Al-An'aam 6:83. Abraham given Allah's argument against his people.

6:83Page 138 · Juz 7

وَتِلْكَ حُجَّتُنَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ ۚ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَـٰتٍ مَّن نَّشَآءُ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ ۝٨٣

That is Our argument. We gave it unto Abraham against his folk. We raise unto degrees of wisdom whom We will. Lo! thy Lord is Wise, Aware.

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Al-An'aam 6:84. Isaac, Jacob, Noah, David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses and Aaron named.

6:84Page 138 · Juz 7

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۚ كُلًّا هَدَيْنَا ۚ وَنُوحًا هَدَيْنَا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِۦ دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَـٰنَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ۝٨٤

And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided; and Noah did We guide aforetime; and of his seed (We guided) David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good.

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Al-An'aam 6:85. Zachariah, John, Jesus and Elias named.

6:85Page 138 · Juz 7

وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ۝٨٥

And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elias. Each one (of them) was of the righteous.

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Al-An'aam 6:86. Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah and Lot named.

6:86Page 138 · Juz 7

وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَٱلْيَسَعَ وَيُونُسَ وَلُوطًا ۚ وَكُلًّا فَضَّلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ۝٨٦

And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot. Each one (of them) did We prefer above (Our) creatures,

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Al-Ghaafir 40:78. Messengers told about and messengers not told about.

40:78Page 476 · Juz 24

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ قُضِىَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ ٱلْمُبْطِلُونَ ۝٧٨

Verily We sent messengers before thee, among them those of whom We have told thee, and some of whom We have not told thee; and it was not given to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by Allah's leave, but when Allah's commandment cometh (the cause) is judged aright, and the followers of vanity will then be lost.

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An-Nisaa 4:164. Messengers mentioned and not mentioned; Allah spoke to Moses.

4:164Page 104 · Juz 6

وَرُسُلًا قَدْ قَصَصْنَـٰهُمْ عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَرُسُلًا لَّمْ نَقْصُصْهُمْ عَلَيْكَ ۚ وَكَلَّمَ ٱللَّهُ مُوسَىٰ تَكْلِيمًا ۝١٦٤

And messengers We have mentioned unto thee before and messengers We have not mentioned unto thee; and Allah spake directly unto Moses;

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Al-Baqara 2:285. Belief in all His messengers, making no distinction between them.

2:285Page 49 · Juz 3

ءَامَنَ ٱلرَّسُولُ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۚ كُلٌّ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦ ۚ وَقَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۖ غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ۝٢٨٥

The messenger believeth in that which hath been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believeth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers - We make no distinction between any of His messengers - and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Thy forgiveness, our Lord. Unto Thee is the journeying.

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Al-Baqara 2:136. Affirming what was revealed to Abraham, Moses, Jesus and the prophets.

2:136Page 21 · Juz 1

قُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ ۝١٣٦

Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.

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Al-Hajj 22:52. A messenger or a prophet sent before the Prophet.

22:52Page 338 · Juz 17

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ وَلَا نَبِىٍّ إِلَّآ إِذَا تَمَنَّىٰٓ أَلْقَى ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ فِىٓ أُمْنِيَّتِهِۦ فَيَنسَخُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يُلْقِى ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ ثُمَّ يُحْكِمُ ٱللَّهُ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ ۝٥٢

Never sent We a messenger or a prophet before thee but when He recited (the message) Satan proposed (opposition) in respect of that which he recited thereof. But Allah abolisheth that which Satan proposeth. Then Allah establisheth His revelations. Allah is Knower, Wise;

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Maryam 19:51. Moses described as a messenger and a prophet.

19:51Page 308 · Juz 16

وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ مُوسَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مُخْلَصًا وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا ۝٥١

And make mention in the Scripture of Moses. Lo! he was chosen, and he was a messenger (of Allah), a prophet.

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Al-Ahqaf 46:35. Be patient as the messengers of firm resolve were patient.

46:35Page 506 · Juz 26

فَٱصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعَزْمِ مِنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ وَلَا تَسْتَعْجِل لَّهُمْ ۚ كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمْ يَلْبَثُوٓا۟ إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِّن نَّهَارٍۭ ۚ بَلَـٰغٌ ۚ فَهَلْ يُهْلَكُ إِلَّا ٱلْقَوْمُ ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ ۝٣٥

Then have patience (O Muhammad) even as the stout of heart among the messengers (of old) had patience, and seek not to hasten on (the doom) for them. On the day when they see that which they are promised (it will seem to them) as though they had tarried but an hour of daylight. A clear message. Shall any be destroyed save evil-living folk?

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Al-Ahzaab 33:7. The covenant taken from the prophets, naming Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

33:7Page 419 · Juz 21

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِيثَـٰقَهُمْ وَمِنكَ وَمِن نُّوحٍ وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًا ۝٧

And when We exacted a covenant from the prophets, and from thee (O Muhammad) and from Noah and Abraham and Moses and Jesus son of Mary. We took from them a solemn covenant;

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Ash-Shura 42:13. The same religion commended to Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

42:13Page 484 · Juz 25

۞ شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِۦ نُوحًا وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِۦٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰٓ ۖ أَنْ أَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ ۚ ٱللَّهُ يَجْتَبِىٓ إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىٓ إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ ۝١٣

He hath ordained for you that religion which He commended unto Noah, and that which We inspire in thee (Muhammad), and that which We commended unto Abraham and Moses and Jesus, saying: Establish the religion, and be not divided therein. Dreadful for the idolaters is that unto which thou callest them. Allah chooseth for Himself whom He will, and guideth unto Himself him who turneth (toward Him).

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Al-Ahzaab 33:40. Muhammad, the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.

33:40Page 423 · Juz 22

مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًا ۝٤٠

Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah is ever Aware of all things.

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As-Saff 61:6. Jesus gives good tidings of a messenger to come after him.

61:6Page 552 · Juz 28

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَـٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ ۖ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَـٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ ۝٦

And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when he hath come unto them with clear proofs, they say: This is mere magic.

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Al-Anbiyaa 21:85. Ishmael, Idris and Dhul-Kifl among the steadfast.

21:85Page 329 · Juz 17

وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ۝٨٥

And (mention) Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhu'l-Kifl. All were of the steadfast.

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Luqman 31:12. Luqman given wisdom.

31:12Page 412 · Juz 21

وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا لُقْمَـٰنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ ٱشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ ۝١٢

And verily We gave Luqman wisdom, saying: Give thanks unto Allah; and whosoever giveth thanks, he giveth thanks for (the good of) his soul. And whosoever refuseth - Lo! Allah is Absolute, Owner of Praise.

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Al-Anbiyaa 21:83. Job calls on the Most Merciful in his affliction.

21:83Page 329 · Juz 17

۞ وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ ۝٨٣

And Job, when he cried unto his Lord, (saying): Lo! adversity afflicteth me, and Thou art Most Merciful of all who show mercy.

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Al-Anbiyaa 21:84. His prayer answered and his household restored.

21:84Page 329 · Juz 17

فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِۦ مِن ضُرٍّ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَـٰبِدِينَ ۝٨٤

Then We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave him his household (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them, a mercy from Our store, and a remembrance for the worshippers;

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Saad 38:44. We found him steadfast.

38:44Page 456 · Juz 23

وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَـٰهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ ۝٤٤

And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath. Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).

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Yusuf 12:92. Joseph forgives his brothers.

12:92Page 246 · Juz 13

قَالَ لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ يَغْفِرُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ ۝٩٢

He said: Have no fear this day! May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

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Al-Anbiyaa 21:69. O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham.

21:69Page 327 · Juz 17

قُلْنَا يَـٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًا وَسَلَـٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۝٦٩

We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham,

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Al-Anbiyaa 21:87. Dhu'n-Nun cries out in the darkness.

21:87Page 329 · Juz 17

وَذَا ٱلنُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَـٰضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ أَن لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ۝٨٧

And (mention) Dhu'n-Nun, when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no power over him, but he cried out in the darkness, saying: There is no God save Thee. Be Thou Glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong-doer.

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Yusuf 12:111. A lesson in their history for people of understanding.

12:111Page 248 · Juz 13

لَقَدْ كَانَ فِى قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَـٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ ۝١١١

In their history verily there is a lesson for men of understanding. It is no invented story but a confirmation of the existing (Scripture) and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guidance and a mercy for folk who believe.

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FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

Questions readers often ask

How many prophets are there in Islam?

The Qur'an does not give a total. It names twenty-five, says in 40:78 and 4:164 that there were other messengers it does not mention, and says in 35:24 that every nation had a warner. Muslims believe in all of them, named and unnamed.

Link to this question

Sources: [21] [20] [22] [24]

Do Muslims believe in Moses and Jesus?

Yes. Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) are among the twenty-five named prophets and among the five messengers of firm resolve. Qur'an 2:136 tells Muslims to affirm what Moses and Jesus received, and in Qur'an 19:30 Jesus says that he is the servant of Allah, given the Scripture and made a prophet.

Link to this question

Sources: [25] [17] [3]

Is Adam considered a prophet?

Yes. Adam heads the list of named prophets in Ibn Kathir's commentary on 4:164, and Britannica's article on Islam begins the series of prophets with him. The Qur'an says Allah taught Adam all the names (2:31) and chose Adam and Noah, with the families of Abraham and Imran, above His creatures (3:33).

Link to this question

Sources: [1] [10] [15]

Why do some prophets have different names in English?

The Qur'an uses Arabic forms of names that English readers often know in other forms, so Ibrahim is Abraham, Musa is Moses and Isa is Jesus. Hud, Salih and Shu'ayb, sent to the peoples of Ad, Thamud and Midian (11:50, 11:61, 11:84), have no agreed English equivalent.

Link to this question

Sources: [10] [16]

Did all the prophets bring the same message?

In its core, yes. Qur'an 16:36 says a messenger was raised in every nation with the call to serve Allah and shun false gods, and Sahih al-Bukhari 3443 describes the prophets as brothers whose religion is one. Ibn Kathir notes that their laws could differ, as some later laws replaced earlier ones by Allah's leave.

Link to this question

Sources: [23] [11] [2]

Where should I start reading about the prophets?

Start with Surah Yusuf (12), which tells one story from beginning to end, then read Surah Maryam (19) and Surah Al-Anbiya (21). A recognised tafsir, such as Ibn Kathir's in English on Quran.com, and a qualified teacher will help.

Link to this question

Sources: [41] [17] [18] [1]

CHECK THE EVIDENCE

Sources

  1. Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Qur'an 4:164 (Quran.com) Commentary

    Under the heading Twenty-Five Prophets Are Mentioned in the Qur'an, names twenty-four and adds that several scholars of tafsir also listed Dhul-Kifl.

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  2. Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Qur'an 2:285 (Quran.com) Commentary

    Believers do not differentiate between the prophets by believing in some and rejecting others, even though some laws abrogate others by Allah's leave.

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  3. Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Qur'an 46:35 (Quran.com) Commentary

    Names those of determination among the messengers as Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Muhammad, mentioned together in 33:7 and 42:13.

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  4. Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Qur'an 33:7 (Quran.com) Commentary

    The covenant of the prophets and the five mighty messengers with strong resolve.

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  5. Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Qur'an 31:12 (Quran.com) Commentary

    The early generations differed over whether Luqman was a prophet; the majority held he was a righteous servant without prophethood.

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  6. Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Qur'an 21:83-86 (Quran.com) Commentary

    Ayyub's trials and patience, and why he was made an example for those who are tested.

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  7. IslamQA: The Difference Between a Nabi (Prophet) and a Rasul (Messenger) Scholarly guidance

    Sets out the scholars' views, including al-Khattabi's best-known explanation that every rasul is a nabi but not every nabi is a rasul.

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  8. SeekersGuidance: What Do We Know About Khidr (Musa's Companion)? Scholarly guidance

    Scholars differed on whether Khidr was a prophet or a saint; Ibn Hajar cites Ibn Atiyya that most held he was a prophet.

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  9. SeekersGuidance: The Story of Dhul Qarnain Article

    Imam Yama Niazi: the majority of scholars held that Dhul-Qarnayn was a righteous ruler rather than a prophet.

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  10. Encyclopaedia Britannica: Islam Reference work

    Muhammad regarded as the last of a series of prophets including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Solomon and Jesus.

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  11. Sahih al-Bukhari 3443 Primary text

    The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers differ, but their religion is one.

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  12. Sahih al-Bukhari 3535 Primary text

    The parable of the house and the missing brick: I am the last of the prophets.

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  13. Sahih al-Bukhari 4563 Primary text

    Ibn Abbas: Allah is sufficient for us, said by Abraham when he was thrown into the fire.

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  14. Qur'an 6:83-86 Primary text

    Eighteen prophets named in one passage; rendered on this page from the verified local corpus.

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  15. Qur'an 2:31 Primary text

    Allah taught Adam all the names.

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  16. Qur'an 11, Surah Hud Primary text

    The accounts of Noah, Hud, Salih, Abraham, Lot and Shu'ayb.

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  17. Qur'an 19, Surah Maryam Primary text

    Zachariah, John, Jesus, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Ishmael and Idris mentioned in turn.

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  18. Qur'an 21, Surah Al-Anbiya Primary text

    The chapter titled The Prophets.

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  19. Qur'an 21:85 Primary text

    Ishmael, Idris and Dhul-Kifl among the steadfast; Quran.com's translation renders Idris as Enoch.

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  20. Qur'an 4:163-164 Primary text

    Revelation to Noah and the prophets after him, and messengers mentioned and not mentioned.

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  21. Qur'an 40:78 Primary text

    Some messengers were told about and some were not.

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  22. Qur'an 35:24 Primary text

    No nation without a warner.

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  23. Qur'an 16:36 Primary text

    A messenger in every nation: serve Allah and shun false gods.

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  24. Qur'an 2:285 Primary text

    No distinction between any of His messengers.

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  25. Qur'an 2:136 Primary text

    Affirming what was revealed to all the prophets.

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  26. Qur'an 2:253 Primary text

    Some messengers caused to excel others.

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  27. Qur'an 22:52 Primary text

    A messenger or a prophet sent before the Prophet.

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  28. Qur'an 19:51-54 Primary text

    Moses and Ishmael each described as a messenger and a prophet.

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  29. Qur'an 46:35 Primary text

    Patience like that of the messengers of firm resolve.

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  30. Qur'an 33:7 Primary text

    The covenant taken from the prophets, naming Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

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  31. Qur'an 42:13 Primary text

    The religion commended to Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

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  32. Qur'an 33:40 Primary text

    The Seal of the Prophets.

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  33. Qur'an 61:6 Primary text

    Jesus gives good tidings of a messenger after him.

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  34. Qur'an 12:111 Primary text

    A lesson in their history for people of understanding.

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  35. Qur'an 11:120 Primary text

    The stories of the messengers make the heart firm.

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  36. Qur'an 21:83-84 Primary text

    Job's prayer in affliction and its answer.

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  37. Qur'an 12:92 Primary text

    Joseph forgives his brothers.

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  38. Qur'an 21:69 Primary text

    The fire made coolness and peace for Abraham.

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  39. Qur'an 21:87-88 Primary text

    Dhu'n-Nun's cry in the darkness and his rescue.

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  40. Qur'an 29:14 Primary text

    Noah among his people a thousand years less fifty.

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  41. Qur'an 12:3 Primary text

    The best of narratives.

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