Idris (peace be upon him) is one of the prophets the Qur'an names. The Qur'an tells us very little about him: only a few lines. This guide gives you those lines, and what authentic reports from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) add, and nothing more.
Many later books tell long stories about Idris. We leave them out, because they do not come from the Qur'an or from an authentic saying of the Prophet (ﷺ). It is better to say little and be exact.
At a glance
- The Qur'an names him in two places: Surah Maryam and Surah al-Anbiya.
- It calls him a man of truth and sincerity, and a prophet.
- Allah (﷾) raised him to a lofty station.
- He is counted among those of constancy and patience, and among the righteous.
- On the night of his ascent through the heavens, the Prophet (ﷺ) met Idris in the fourth heaven.
What the Qur'an tells us
The Qur'an names Idris in two places. It does not say where he lived, who his people were, or what he taught. It tells us what he was like, and what Allah (﷾) gave him. In Surah Maryam, Allah (﷾) tells the Prophet (ﷺ) to mention him in the Book: Qur’an 19:56
He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet: And We raised him to a lofty station.
A man of truth and sincerity: the Arabic word is siddiq, a person who is deeply truthful. This is the first thing the Qur'an says of him. It also says he was a prophet. Qur’an 19:56
Then it says Allah (﷾) raised him to a lofty station. It does not say how, or where. We leave it as the Qur'an leaves it. Qur’an 19:57
In Surah al-Anbiya, Idris is named again, together with Isma'il and Dhul-Kifl: Qur’an 21:85
Isma'il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience; We admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones.
So the Qur'an counts Idris among those who were steady and patient, whom Allah (﷾) admitted to His mercy, and among the righteous. That is all it tells us. It is a short portrait, and a complete one. Qur’an 21:85–86
Meeting the Prophet (ﷺ) in the heavens
Authentic reports tell us a little more. On the night Allah (﷾) took the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) up through the heavens, he met earlier prophets on the way. In the fourth heaven he met Idris and greeted him, and Idris welcomed him as a brother and a prophet. Sahih al-Bukhari 3207
Another report of the same night names Idris among the prophets the Prophet (ﷺ) met: Adam, Idris, Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) and Ibrahim (Abraham). Idris welcomed him as a pious prophet and a pious brother. Sahih al-Bukhari 349
There is something beautiful in this meeting. Prophets who lived in different times and places greet each other as brothers, because they all called people to worship Allah (﷾) alone. Qur’an 21:25
How the Bible tells it differently
The Bible does not name Idris. Some scholars have identified him with Enoch, who appears briefly in Genesis, but the Qur'an does not say so, and scholars differ. So this guide does not compare the two. The Bible has no clear match for Idris, and we leave his story as the Qur'an tells it. Genesis 5:18–24 (KJV)Qur’an 19:56–57Which prophets are named in the Qur'an?
What we can learn
Idris is remembered for his truthfulness and his patience, and Allah (﷾) raised him to a lofty station.
- Be truthful. The first thing Allah (﷾) says about Idris is that he was a man of truth and sincerity.
- Be patient. The Qur'an names Idris among those of constancy and patience. Steadiness is a quality Allah (﷾) honours.
- Allah (﷾) honours His servants. He raised Idris to a lofty station, and He admitted him to His mercy.
- Say what we know, and no more. The Qur'an tells us little about Idris, and we do not fill the gap. A short account that is true is better than a long one that is not.
Allah's (﷾) praise of Idris is short, and it is complete: truth, patience, righteousness and a lofty station. The same road is open to everyone who turns to Him. Qur’an 19:56–57Qur’an 21:85–86