The 25 Prophets of Islam
Discover the history, teachings, and spiritual legacy of Allah's messengers mentioned in the Holy Quran.
The Importance of Prophets in Islam
In Islam, prophets are men chosen by Allah to convey His divine message to humanity. They are models of virtue, piety, and righteousness, sent to guide people to the straight path.
The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, although Islamic tradition acknowledges that Allah sent many other messengers throughout history. Each prophet brought the same fundamental message: the oneness of Allah (Tawhid) and the call to worship Him alone.
Muslims believe in all prophets without distinction, as mentioned in the Quran:
"Say: 'We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we submit.'" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:136)
Each prophet was sent with specific miracles as proof of their divine mission. Their stories are narrated in the Quran to teach us valuable lessons about patience, perseverance, faith, and trust in Allah amidst life's trials.
The 25 Prophets and Their Detailed Stories
Adam
Period: The Creation
Adam was the first human created by Allah and the first prophet of Islam. Allah created him from clay with His own hands and breathed His spirit into him. He taught him the names of all things and placed him in the Garden of Eden with his wife, Hawwa (Eve). Allah permitted them to eat from all the fruits of the Garden except one specific tree. However, Iblis (Satan), who refused to prostrate before Adam out of pride and was banished from Paradise, deceived them into eating the forbidden fruit. Due to this disobedience, Adam and Hawwa were sent to Earth. Adam sincerely repented, and Allah accepted his repentance, making him the first prophet to guide his descendants. This story teaches the importance of repentance and divine mercy.
Idriss
Period: Antiquity
Idriss, known for his great piety and knowledge, is considered one of the earliest prophets after Adam. Allah granted him great wisdom, teaching him writing, astronomy, and other sciences. He invited his people to abandon idolatry and worship Allah alone, preaching with patience and devotion. Despite opposition from his people, Idriss remained steadfast in his mission. Allah raised him to a high station, and according to some traditions, he was taken to the heavens. His story teaches the importance of knowledge, patience, and commitment to divine truth, even in the face of adversity.
Nuh
Period: Antiquity
Nuh, also known as Noah, was sent to a people steeped in idolatry and corruption. For 950 years, he tirelessly called his people to worship Allah and abandon their unjust practices, but only a few responded. On Allah’s command, Nuh built an ark to save the believers and a pair of every animal species from an imminent flood. When the flood struck, those who rejected his message were drowned. Nuh and the believers were saved, and he continued to guide his descendants to Allah’s path. His story illustrates perseverance in preaching and trust in divine promise.
Hud
Period: Antiquity
Hud was sent to the people of Aad, a powerful and prosperous community living in grand cities. Despite their wealth and strength, the Aad were arrogant and worshipped idols. Hud urged them to turn to Allah, warning them of divine punishment if they persisted in disbelief. They mocked him, rejecting his warnings. As a result, Allah sent a fierce, destructive wind that annihilated the people of Aad, leaving only Hud and the believers alive. This story teaches humility before Allah’s greatness and the consequences of arrogance.
Salih
Period: Antiquity
Salih was sent to the people of Thamud, known for their skill in building grand dwellings in the mountains. Though prosperous, this people turned away from Allah to worship idols. Salih invited them to return to Allah’s oneness, and as a sign of his mission, Allah gave him a miraculous she-camel, ordering them not to harm it. However, the Thamud, in their arrogance, killed the camel. As punishment, a devastating earthquake struck them, leaving only Salih and the believers. This story emphasizes the importance of respecting Allah’s signs and the consequences of disobedience.
Ibrahim
Period: ~2000 BCE
Ibrahim, known as the father of prophets, grew up among idol-worshippers. From a young age, he rejected idolatry, recognizing Allah as the sole Creator. He challenged his people and their king, Nimrod, and was thrown into a fire, from which Allah miraculously saved him. Ibrahim migrated to Canaan and Egypt, and with his son Ismail, he rebuilt the Kaaba in Mecca. When Allah commanded him to sacrifice his son, Ibrahim obeyed without hesitation, but Allah replaced his son with a ram. This story teaches unwavering faith, submission to Allah, and the importance of sacrifice.
Lut
Period: ~2000 BCE
Lut was sent to the people of Sodom, a community immersed in immorality and unnatural practices. He urged them to abandon their sins and worship Allah, but they mocked him and continued their ways. Even his own wife refused to follow him. Allah ordered Lut to leave the city with the believers before a rain of stones destroyed Sodom and its inhabitants. Lut was saved, but his wife, who stayed behind, perished. This story teaches the severity of sin and the importance of following divine guidance to avoid punishment.
Ismail
Period: ~1900 BCE
Ismail, son of Ibrahim and Hagar, was left by his father in the barren valley of Mecca on Allah’s command. When water ran out, Hagar ran between Safa and Marwa seeking help, and Allah caused the Zamzam spring to gush forth. Ismail grew up and helped his father rebuild the Kaaba, becoming a prophet who called the Arab tribes to worship Allah. His and his mother’s submission are commemorated in the Hajj rites. This story teaches trust in Allah and the importance of perseverance in trials.
Ishaq
Period: ~1900 BCE
Ishaq, son of Ibrahim and Sarah, was born miraculously when his parents were very old. A pious prophet, he continued his father’s mission of preaching Allah’s oneness in Canaan. When Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice his son, Ishaq submitted willingly, but Allah replaced him with a ram, proving their faith. Ishaq became the ancestor of the Children of Israel through his son Yaqub. His story teaches submission to Allah’s will and the importance of passing faith to future generations.
Yaqub
Period: ~1800 BCE
Yaqub, also called Israel, was a wise prophet and father of the twelve tribes of Israel. He faced many trials, including the loss of his son Yusuf, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Despite his grief, Yaqub remained patient and trusting in Allah. Years later, he reunited with Yusuf, who had become a minister in Egypt, and his family was restored. Yaqub taught his descendants to worship Allah and uphold righteousness. His story teaches patience in trials and trust in divine wisdom.
Yusuf
Period: ~1700 BCE
Yusuf, son of Yaqub, was known for his beauty and piety. Out of jealousy, his brothers sold him into slavery, and he was taken to Egypt. Wrongly accused, he was imprisoned, but his gift of interpreting dreams gained him recognition. Freed, he became a minister to the king of Egypt, managing a famine with wisdom. He forgave his brothers and reunited his family. Yusuf preached Allah’s oneness, and his story teaches forgiveness, patience, and trust in Allah amidst injustice.
Shuayb
Period: Antiquity
Shuayb was sent to the people of Midian, known for their prosperous but dishonest trade. He urged them to practice justice in their dealings and worship Allah alone, abandoning their idols. The Midianites mocked him, threatening exile. Despite his warnings, they persisted in corruption. Allah sent a punishment in the form of an earthquake and intense heat, destroying the disbelievers. Shuayb and the believers were saved. This story teaches the importance of honesty and justice in daily life.
Ayyub
Period: Antiquity
Ayyub was a prosperous prophet blessed by Allah with wealth, health, and family. However, Allah tested him by taking all this away. Afflicted with a severe illness and abandoned by nearly all, Ayyub remained patient and continued to worship Allah, never complaining. His faithful wife supported him through his trials. After years of patience, Allah healed him and restored his wealth and a new family. Ayyub’s story teaches patience in trials and unwavering faith in Allah’s mercy.
Dhul-Kifl
Period: Antiquity
Dhul-Kifl is mentioned in the Quran as a just and patient man, though few details are known about his life. Some accounts describe him as a prophet who took on great responsibilities, guiding his people with righteousness and fairness. He was an example of steadfastness in worshipping Allah, even amidst challenges. His life, though less documented, shows the importance of patience and righteousness. His story teaches that faith and justice are essential qualities, even in obscurity.
Musa
Period: ~1400 BCE
Musa, one of the greatest prophets, grew up in Pharaoh’s palace after his mother placed him in a basket on the Nile to save him from a massacre. Allah spoke to him directly and tasked him with freeing the Children of Israel from slavery. With his miraculous staff and other signs, like the parting of the sea, Musa challenged Pharaoh. He received the Torah on Mount Sinai to guide his people. Despite their rebellions, he remained patient. His story teaches trust in Allah, courage against oppression, and the importance of divine guidance.
Harun
Period: ~1400 BCE
Harun, Musa’s elder brother, was a prophet and eloquent speaker. Allah appointed him to assist Musa in confronting Pharaoh, helping to convey the divine message. Harun supported Musa in guiding the Children of Israel, even when they worshipped the golden calf in Musa’s absence. He tried to bring them back to righteousness, showing patience and devotion. Harun died before entering the Promised Land. His story teaches the importance of brotherly support and perseverance in the divine mission.
Dawud
Period: ~1000 BCE
Dawud, a king and prophet, received the Psalms (Zabur) from Allah. As a young man, he defeated the giant Goliath with a slingshot, proving that faith triumphs over brute strength. His melodious voice moved even the mountains and birds. Dawud ruled with justice, rendering fair judgments. He sincerely repented after a mistake, and Allah accepted his repentance. His story teaches the importance of justice, repentance, and spiritual connection through worship and praise of Allah.
Sulayman
Period: ~970 BCE
Sulayman, son of Dawud, was a prophet-king endowed with unparalleled wisdom. Allah granted him control over the winds, animals, and jinn, which he used to establish a prosperous kingdom. He built a great temple for Allah’s worship. Despite his wealth, Sulayman remained humble and devoted. He judged with fairness, as in the story of two women claiming a child. His story teaches the importance of wisdom, humility, and using divine gifts for good.
Ilyas
Period: ~900 BCE
Ilyas was sent to the people of Israel, who had turned away from Allah to worship the idol Baal. With courage, he challenged Baal’s priests, proving Allah’s power through a miracle where fire descended from heaven to consume his offering. Despite persecution, Ilyas remained steadfast in his mission. Allah protected him, and according to some traditions, raised him to the heavens. His story teaches firmness in faith and the courage to defend truth against idolatry.
Al-Yasa
Period: ~900 BCE
Al-Yasa succeeded Ilyas in guiding the people of Israel. A pious prophet, he performed miracles, such as healing the sick and aiding the needy, strengthening his people’s faith. Though fewer details are known, Al-Yasa continued to call for Allah’s worship with patience and devotion. He faced the same challenges of idolatry as his predecessor, remaining faithful to his mission. His story teaches the importance of perseverance in divine guidance and the continuity of the prophetic message.
Yunus
Period: ~800 BCE
Yunus was sent to the people of Nineveh, who had turned away from Allah. Frustrated by their refusal to listen, he tried to flee but was swallowed by a giant fish. Inside the fish, Yunus sincerely repented, invoking Allah for salvation. Allah freed him, and Yunus returned to Nineveh, where his people repented en masse, averting divine punishment. Yunus continued to guide his people to righteousness. His story teaches the importance of repentance, perseverance, and Allah’s mercy toward those who turn to Him.
Zakariyya
Period: ~1st Century BCE
Zakariyya, a pious prophet, served as a guardian of the temple and guided his people to worship Allah. Despite his old age and his wife’s barrenness, he prayed to Allah for an heir. Allah granted his prayer by giving him a son, Yahya, a miracle that strengthened his faith. Zakariyya continued to preach with wisdom, even amidst challenges. According to some traditions, he was persecuted for his faith. His story teaches the power of prayer, trust in Allah’s mercy, and the importance of patience in awaiting divine blessings.
Yahya
Period: ~1st Century BCE
Yahya, son of Zakariyya, was a pure and devoted prophet known for his piety and asceticism. Born miraculously to elderly parents, he received wisdom from a young age and was tasked with confirming the mission of Isa (Jesus). Yahya preached righteousness and Allah’s worship, calling his people to repent. He was a model of humility and devotion, but according to some traditions, he was martyred for his faith. His story teaches the importance of spiritual purity, righteousness, and courage in the face of adversity.
Isa
Period: 1st Century CE
Isa, known as Jesus, was born miraculously to the virgin Maryam by Allah’s will. A prophet and messenger, he received the Gospel (Injil) and performed miracles, such as healing the blind and raising the dead, to prove his divine mission. Isa called his people to worship Allah alone, but some rejected him. Allah saved him from crucifixion by raising him to the heavens, and Muslims believe he will return before the end of times. His story teaches the importance of faith in Allah’s oneness and the power of divine miracles.
Muhammad
Period: 570-632 CE
Muhammad, the final prophet and messenger of Allah, received the Quran, the final revelation, at age 40. Born in Mecca, he preached Allah’s oneness in an idolatrous society, facing persecution and hostility. He migrated to Medina, where he established a Muslim community based on justice and brotherhood. Muhammad guided humanity with his perfect example, and the Quran remains a universal guide. His story teaches perseverance, compassion, and the importance of following Allah’s final message.