There are many prophets mentioned in the Qur’an, out of the 25 mentioned. Idris (AS) is one of them, he is mentioned two times in the Qur’an. First in Surah Maryam, then in Surah Ambiya. Allah Ta’ala says in Surah Maryam,
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا
“Mention in the book the story of Idris, indeed he was a truthful prophet.”
(Maryam:56)
In Sura Ambiya Allah Ta’ala says,
وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّابِرِينَ
“Mention the story of Ismail, Idris and Dhul Kifl, all of them were from the patient ones.” (Al-Ambiya:85)
These verses show the great place of Idris (AS) in Islam. Today, we will be learning about the life of Idris (AS) and what we can take from it.
Life of Idris:
Idris (AS) was born in Babylon, Iraq, during the prophethood of Nabi Sheeth (AS). Idris (AS) was known to be a righteous person. It is said that he was very built, handsome, and spoke with a low voice. He was from amongst the curious ones, always pondering on the creation of Allah and how Allah created these things with such precision. He would ponder about the sky, moon and the stars. Some say that his name Idris, comes from the word Dars, which means to study, and he was given the name Idris because of his constant study of the creation and the books given to Adam and Sheeth (AS).
Idris (AS) was from amongst the followers of Sheeth (AS), and after the death of Sheeth (AS) Allah (SWT) chose him from amongst his servants as his successor and he became a prophet. He was sent with 30 Saheefahs (scrolls) as revelation as narrated from the Hadith of Abu Dharr. He was also the first person to write with a pen, stitch clothes and do mathematics. During his prophethood, the people of Qaabil became misguided and began to do evil acts. So Idris (AS) was commanded to wage war against them to cleanse the earth of their evil. And Idris (AS) was given victory.
One day, Idris (AS) was shown the deeds of the Children of Adam and that he was to get their deeds, and Idris (AS) wanted to perform more good deeds. So he asked one of his friends from the angels to go to the angel of death to delay his death so he could perform more good deeds. When the angel went to ask, Idris (AS) flew on the back of that angel. When they reached the 4th heaven, the Angel of Death was waiting for them. The angel asked for Idris (AS)’s respite when the Angel of Death asked where was Idris (AS), he replied that Idris (AS) was on his back. The Angel of Death then praised Allah and said that Allah (SWT) commanded him to take the soul of Idris (AS) in the fourth heaven, he (Angel of Death) wondered how he would do so, but Allah (SWT) made it happen. So Idris (AS)’s soul was taken. This is the end of the story of Idris (AS).
Conclusion:
We’ve learned many things from the story of Idris (AS), whether it be his bravery in defending the people against the evil of the nation of Qaabil, his expertise in mathematics and study of the books of Allah, his curiosity in observing the creation and his zeal to perform good deeds. All of these qualities are amongst the good qualities. May Allah (SWT) give us the Tawfiq to have such qualities. Ameen