Prophets hold a central place in Islamic belief. Allah chose these individuals to guide humanity. They delivered divine messages. They taught people about monotheism. Therefore, they showed the path of righteousness. The Quran mentions twenty-five prophets by name, often referred to as Nabi Names in the Quran. Believing in them is a core pillar of faith.
This guide explores the lives of these prophets. We will list their names. We will discuss their roles. And, we will highlight their significance.
Who Are the Prophets in Islam?
A prophet in Islam is called a Nabi. A messenger is called a Rasul. Every messenger is a prophet. Not every prophet is a messenger. A messenger brings a new set of laws. A prophet follows the laws of previous messengers. Both receive revelation from Allah. They serve as role models. Their lives offer lessons for all times. They faced challenges. People often rejected them. They remained patient. They trusted Allah completely. Their stories teach resilience. They teach faith.
The First Prophet: Adam (AS)
The story of humanity begins with Adam. He was the first human. He was also the first prophet. Allah created him from clay. Angels bowed down to him. Iblis refused to bow. This refusal caused Iblis’s expulsion. Adam lived in Paradise. He dwelt there with his wife, Hawwa (Eve). They ate freely. One tree was forbidden. Shaytan whispered to them. They ate from the tree. Allah sent them to Earth. They sought forgiveness. Allah forgave them. Adam built the first house of worship. He taught his children about one God.
The Prophets of Perseverance
The Quran highlights specific prophets. They possessed a strong will. They faced immense difficulty. Therefore, they are the Ulul’Azm.
Nuh (Noah) (AS)
Nuh preached for centuries. His people worshipped idols. They mocked him. They refused to listen. Only a few believed. Allah commanded him to build an ark. A great flood came. The water covered everything. The ark saved the believers. This event marked a new beginning.
Ibrahim (Abraham) (AS)
Ibrahim is the father of the prophets. He searched for the truth. He rejected idol worship. His people tried to burn him. The fire became cool. He left his home. He built the Kaaba with his son Isma’il. And, he showed ultimate submission. And, he was willing to sacrifice his son. Allah replaced the boy with a ram. His legacy includes the Hajj pilgrimage.
Musa (Moses) (AS)
Musa faced the tyrant Fir’awn (Pharaoh). He grew up in Pharaoh’s palace. He fled to Madyan. Allah spoke to him at Mount Sinai. He returned to Egypt. He demanded the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh refused. Plagues struck Egypt. The sea parted for Musa. Pharaoh drowned. Musa received the Torah. He guided his people through the desert.
Isa (Jesus) (AS)
Isa had a miraculous birth. His mother was Maryam (Mary). He spoke as an infant. And, he healed the blind. He cured lepers. So, he raised the dead by Allah’s permission. He preached love. He preached humility. His people plotted against him. Allah raised him to the heavens. He will return before the Day of Judgment.
Muhammad (SAW)
Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets. He is the final messenger. He received the Quran. It is the final revelation. He preached in Makkah. He faced persecution. And, he migrated to Madinah. He established a just society. His message is for all mankind. He completed the religion of Islam.
Other Prophets Mentioned in the Quran
The Quran lists twenty-five prophets. We discussed the five major ones. Here are the others.
Idris (Enoch) (AS)
Idris lived after Adam. He was truthful. He was patient. The Quran mentions his high station.
Hud (AS)
Hud was sent to the people of ‘Ad. They were powerful. They built tall structures. Thus, they were arrogant. A fierce wind destroyed them.
Salih (AS)
Salih was sent to the people of Thamud. They carved homes in the mountains. Allah sent a she-camel as a sign. They killed the camel. A blast destroyed them.
Lut (Lot) (AS)
Lut was Ibrahim’s nephew. He preached to Sodom. His people practiced immorality. He warned them repeatedly. They ignored him. Stones of baked clay rained down on them.
Isma’il (Ishmael) (AS)
Isma’il was Ibrahim’s first son. He helped build the Kaaba. He was patient. Also, he was true to his promise.
Ishaq (Isaac) (AS)
Ishaq was Ibrahim’s second son. He was a gift from Allah. He was a prophet. So,he was righteous.
Ya’qub (Jacob) (AS)
Ya’qub was Ishaq’s son. He is also known as Israel. His twelve sons formed the tribes of Israel. He endured the loss of his son, Yusuf.
Yusuf (Joseph) (AS)
Yusuf faced betrayal by his brothers. They threw him in a well. He ended up in Egypt. He went to prison unjustly. However, he interpreted dreams. He became a powerful minister. He forgave his brothers.
Shu’ayb (AS)
Shu’ayb was sent to Madyan. His people cheated in trade. They weighed short. He warned them. An earthquake seized them.
Ayyub (Job) (AS)
Ayyub faced severe illness. He lost his wealth. And, he lost his family. He remained patient. Allah restored his health. Allah returned his family.
Dhul-Kifl (AS)
Dhul-Kifl is mentioned briefly. He was patient. He was righteous. Some scholars identify him as Ezekiel.
Yunus (Jonah) (AS)
Yunus left his people in anger. He boarded a ship. A whale swallowed him. He prayed in the darkness. Allah saved him. His people eventually believed.
Dawud (David) (AS)
Dawud defeated Jalut (Goliath). He became king. Allah gave him the Zabur (Psalms). Iron became soft in his hands.
Sulayman (Solomon) (AS)
Sulayman was Dawud’s son. He controlled the wind. He spoke to animals. Jinn worked for him. He was a wise king.
Ilyas (Elijah) (AS)
Ilyas preached against Baal worship. He called people to Allah. He was among the righteous.
Al-Yasa (Elisha) (AS)
Al-Yasa is mentioned twice. He guided the Israelites. He is praised in the Quran.
Zakariya (Zechariah) (AS)
Zakariya took care of Maryam. He prayed for a son in old age. Allah granted him Yahya.
Yahya (John) (AS)
Yahya was noble. He was chaste. He was a prophet. So, he confirmed the word of Allah.
Harun (Aaron) (AS)
Harun was Musa’s brother. He was eloquent. He supported Musa. However, he was a prophet.
The Role of Prophets
Prophets served specific purposes. They were not divine. They were human. Therefore, they ate food. They walked in markets. They married. Thus, they had families.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conveying the Message: They delivered Allah’s commands. They did not hide anything.
- Teaching Wisdom: They explained the revelations. They taught people how to live.
- Purifying Souls: They helped people overcome sins. They encouraged good character.
- Establishing Justice: They stood against oppression. They defended the weak.
- Warning and Bringing Glad Tidings: They warned of punishment. They promised a reward for good deeds.
Characteristics of Prophets
Allah protected prophets from major sins. They possessed impeccable character.
- Truthfulness: They never lied. Their integrity was unquestionable.
- Trustworthiness: People trusted them with secrets. They kept their promises.
- Intelligence: They were wise. They answered difficult questions. They debated effectively.
- Infallibility: Allah guarded them in delivering the message. They made no errors in revelation.
Why Do We Need Prophets?
The human mind has limits. We cannot know the unseen alone. We need guidance. Prophets answer fundamental questions. Why are we here? Who created us? What happens after death? They provide a practical example. Seeing a human practice faith is powerful. It shows that obedience is possible. It removes excuses. No one can say the law was too hard. A human like us followed it.
The Bond Between Prophets
All prophets preached Islam. Islam means submission to Allah. Their core message was identical. La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah). Laws changed over time. The theology remained constant.
Muslims do not differentiate between them. We believe in all of them. Denying one is denying all. They form a single brotherhood.
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.'” (Quran 2:285)
Conclusion
The stories of the prophets are not mere history. They are living lessons. They act as lighthouses in stormy seas. Their names echo through time. Their struggles mirror our struggles. Therefore, their patience inspires our patience. Studying these lives connects us to a divine legacy. We see the pattern of truth. We see the inevitable victory of faith. They remind us of our purpose. We are here to worship. We are here to do good.
The prophets were the best of humanity. They carried the heaviest burdens. Yet, they remained grateful. Their legacy is not gold or silver. Their legacy is knowledge. Thus, their legacy is guidance. We honor them by following their footsteps. We honor them by upholding the truth. This connection binds humanity together. It points us toward a shared destiny. It leads us back to our Creator. Their lives prove that righteousness is not impossible. It is a path walked by chosen men. It is a path open to us all.
