The Story of Prophet Idris: Raised to a High Station

The prophet Idris story is one of the briefest in the Quran, yet it carries a powerful message.

Idris (peace be upon him) is mentioned by name only twice, but Allah describes him as “a man of truth and a prophet” and says: “We raised him to a high station.”

Scholars say he lived in the early generations of humanity, after Adam and Shith and before Nuh.

Many early Muslim scholars reported that he was among the first to write with a pen and to sew clothing.

This guide covers what the Quran says about Idris, what the Sunnah reports, his place in the chain of prophets, what scholars narrated about his life and the lessons for us today.

Who Was Prophet Idris?

Idris in the Quran

Surah Maryam

“And mention in the Book, Idris. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. And We raised him to a high station” (Maryam 19:56–57).

Surah Al-Anbiya

“And Isma’il and Idris and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient. And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous” (Al-Anbiya 21:85–86).

From these verses we learn that Idris was:

1. Siddiq: truthful in word and complete in faith.
2. A prophet: chosen to receive revelation.
3. Raised to a high station: honoured by Allah.
4. Patient: listed among the patient.
5. Righteous: admitted into Allah’s mercy.

Idris in the Sunnah

The Night Journey

In the hadith of the Isra’ and Mi’raj, the Prophet ﷺ met Idris in the fourth heaven.

Idris greeted him saying: “Welcome to the righteous brother and the righteous prophet” (Bukhari and Muslim).

Many scholars connect this to the verse “We raised him to a high station.”

What Scholars Reported About His Life

Historians and commentators mentioned several reports, some of which come from earlier traditions and should be treated with caution:

• He was among the descendants of Shith, the son of Adam.
• He was among the first to write with a pen.
• He was among the first to sew and wear stitched clothing.
• He called his people to worship Allah alone and to be just.

Some scholars said he was the great-grandfather of Nuh, while others held different views. What is certain is what the Quran and authentic Sunnah state; the rest is supplementary.

Idris in the Chain of Prophets

Muslims believe in all the prophets without distinction: “We make no distinction between any of His messengers” (Al-Baqarah 2:285).

The Meaning of “A High Station”

Scholars offered several interpretations:

• Honour of prophethood and closeness to Allah.
• His position in the fourth heaven, as seen in the Mi’raj.
• His high reputation and remembrance among later generations.

All these meanings show that Allah honours those who are truthful and patient.

Lessons From the Story of Prophet Idris

1. Truthfulness raises a person

Allah described him first as “siddiq.”

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man keeps telling the truth until he is recorded with Allah as a siddiq” (Bukhari and Muslim).

2. Patience is a mark of prophets

He is listed with Isma’il and Dhul-Kifl as “of the patient.” Patience is not passivity; it is steadfast obedience.

3. Knowledge and skill are blessings

The reports that he was among the first to write show that learning and useful skills are valued in Islam.

The first revelation to Muhammad ﷺ also mentioned the pen: “who taught by the pen” (Al-Alaq 96:4).

4. Few words, great honour

The Quran mentions Idris briefly, yet his rank is high. Quality of faith matters more than fame.

5. Brotherhood of prophets

He greeted Muhammad ﷺ as “the righteous brother,” showing the unity of the prophets’ message.

Where This Story Appears in the Quran

The account of Idris is found mainly in Surahs Maryam and Al-Anbiya. The Quran does not tell prophetic stories in the style of a history book, with every date and detail.

Instead, it returns to the same figures in different surahs, each time highlighting a particular lesson suited to that surah’s theme.

Reading the verses in their surah context, rather than as isolated quotations, reveals why Allah chose to mention Idris at that point and what message He wanted the first listeners in Makkah and Madinah to take from it.

Why Allah Tells Us the Stories of the Prophets

Allah says: “In their stories there is truly a lesson for those of understanding. It is not a fabricated narration, but a confirmation of what was before it, a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe” (Yusuf 12:111).

He also told the Prophet ﷺ: “And each story We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart” (Hud 11:120).

These two verses give us the purpose of reading about Idris. First, the stories are true; they are not myths or legends.

Second, they strengthen the heart.

The Prophet ﷺ faced rejection, mockery, boycott and war, and Allah comforted him by showing him that earlier prophets had faced similar trials and that the outcome always belonged to the believers.

When we face our own difficulties, these same stories strengthen us.

Third, the stories show that all prophets brought one message: worship Allah alone.

“And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that there is no deity except Me, so worship Me” (Al-Anbiya 21:25).

Idris was part of this single chain of guidance that ended with Muhammad ﷺ.

Connecting the Story to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Allah told the Prophet ﷺ after mentioning many earlier prophets: “Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so from their guidance take an example” (Al-An’am 6:90).

The Prophet ﷺ embodied the best qualities of every prophet before him.

The truthfulness and patience we see in the life of Idris appears in his life too, in Makkah during persecution and in Madinah during leadership.

When you read about Idris, ask yourself how the same quality appeared in the Seerah.

This habit links the stories of the Quran together and deepens your love for the final Messenger ﷺ, who is the model we are commanded to follow: “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example” (Al-Ahzab 33:21).

Common Mistakes When Learning Prophet Stories

Scholars caution against adopting every detail found in old storytelling literature. Some details come from earlier scriptures or folklore and cannot be confirmed.

The safest approach is to build your understanding on the Quran and authentic Sunnah, and treat other reports as supplementary at most.

Teaching the Story of Idris to Children

Children love stories, and prophet stories are the best stories they can hear. A few practical ideas:

1. Tell it in short episodes. Break the story into three or four parts and tell one part each night.
2. Use the Quranic words. Teach them one short phrase from the verses, such as the honour of being called a man of truth, and its meaning.
3. Ask questions. “What would you have done?” “How did Idris feel?” “What did Allah do?”
4. Draw a timeline. Let children illustrate each stage of the story.
5. Link it to behaviour. When your child shows truthfulness and patience, remind them that they are following Idris.
6. Avoid images of prophets. Muslims do not draw or depict prophets; focus on words, places and events instead.

The goal is not only that children remember the story, but that they love the prophets and want to be like them.

Questions for Reflection

1. Which moment in the story of Idris moved me the most, and why?
2. Where in my life do I need more truthfulness and patience?
3. What does the honour of being called a man of truth teach me about my relationship with Allah?
4. How did Allah support Idris, and how has He supported me in hard times?
5. What is one thing I will change this week because of this story?

Write your answers in a notebook and return to them after a month. The stories of the prophets were revealed to change hearts, and reflection is how that change begins.

Memorising the Key Verses

One of the best ways to keep this story alive is to memorise the main verses about Idris and recite them in your prayers.

Choose a passage of three to five verses from Surahs Maryam and Al-Anbiya.

Listen to it several times from a skilled reciter, read it with correct tajweed, then memorise one verse a day.

Within a week you will carry the story in your heart, and every time you recite it in salah you will remember its lessons.

A qualified teacher can help you correct pronunciation and explain each word, so the verses become both a memorised text and a living guide.

A Four-Week Plan to Apply What You Learned About prophet idris story

Knowledge sticks when it is turned into a routine. Here is a simple four-week plan to build on this guide.

• Week one: Re-read this article slowly and write down the three points that were newest to you. Share one of them with a family member, because explaining an idea is one of the best ways to understand it.
• Week two: Connect the topic to your daily Quran reading. Each day, look for one verse or phrase in your portion that relates to prophet idris story, and note it in a small notebook.
• Week three: Ask questions. Bring anything that is still unclear to a qualified teacher, and correct any misunderstanding before it becomes a habit.
• Week four: Review your notebook, choose one practical change and commit to it for the next month. Small, consistent actions are more beloved to Allah than large efforts that do not last.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if they are small.”

Apply that principle here, and this topic will become part of your life rather than something you read once and forgot.

Idris and the Value of Writing

The reports that Idris was among the first to write with a pen connect beautifully to the first revelation given to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “Read in the name of your Lord who created… who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not” (Al-Alaq 96:1–5).

Allah also swears by the pen: “Nun. By the pen and what they inscribe” (Al-Qalam 68:1).

Writing preserved revelation, recorded knowledge and allowed guidance to pass from one generation to the next.

The companions wrote down the Quran as it was revealed, and later scholars recorded hadith, tafsir and fiqh with great care.

A Muslim who learns to read and write the Arabic of the Quran is taking part in this blessed tradition of knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times is Idris mentioned in the Quran?

Twice by name, in Surah Maryam and Surah Al-Anbiya.

Where did the Prophet ﷺ meet Idris?

In the fourth heaven during the Mi’raj.

Was Idris before Nuh?

Many scholars say yes.

What does “siddiq” mean?

A person of complete truthfulness and faith.

What skills are attributed to Idris?

Early reports say he was among the first to write with a pen and sew clothing.

Final Thoughts

The prophet Idris story shows that a few verses can carry a lifetime of guidance.

Be truthful, be patient and seek beneficial knowledge, and Allah can raise you too, in this life and the next.

Read Surah Maryam 19:56–57 tonight and reflect on what it means to be a “man of truth.”