Reference
The prophets named in the Quran
Twenty-five are named. The Quran is explicit that others were sent whose accounts were not related (4:164), so this is the list of those named rather than a list of all the prophets.
Adam
آدمAdam
The first human being and the first prophet, taught the names of all things and tested by the whisper of Iblis.
Idris
إدريسEnoch
Described in the Quran as truthful, a prophet, and raised to a high station.
Nuh
نوحNoah
Called his people for centuries with almost no response, then built the ark on command.
Hud
هودEber
Sent to the people of ‘Ad, who were powerful and built monuments to themselves.
Salih
صالحSent to Thamud, who carved homes into the mountains and demanded a sign.
Ibrahim
إبراهيمAbraham
Called the friend of Allah, who reasoned his way past the stars and broke his people’s idols.
Lut
لوطLot
Sent to a people who had made public what every prior people kept hidden.
Isma'il
إسماعيلIshmael
The son who answered "do as you are commanded", and who raised the foundations of the Ka‘bah with his father.
Ishaq
إسحاقIsaac
Given as glad tidings to Ibrahim and Sarah in old age, and made a prophet.
Ya'qub
يعقوبJacob
Father of Yusuf, who lost his sight to grief and never lost his certainty.
Yusuf
يوسفJoseph
The subject of the most complete single narrative in the Quran, from the well to the treasury of Egypt.
Ayyub
أيوبJob
Tested in body, wealth and family, and praised for how he bore it.
Shu'ayb
شعيبJethro
Sent to Madyan, who cheated in weights and measures.
Musa
موسىMoses
Named more often than any other prophet in the Quran, sent to the most powerful ruler of his age.
Harun
هارونAaron
Brother of Musa, given as the helper Musa asked for, and more eloquent of speech.
Dhul-Kifl
ذو الكفلEzekiel (traditionally)
Named twice, among the patient and among the excellent.
Dawud
داودDavid
Given the Zabur, a kingdom, and the ability to soften iron in his hands.
Sulayman
سليمانSolomon
Given a kingdom unlike any other, and understanding of the speech of birds and ants.
Ilyas
إلياسElijah
Sent to a people worshipping Ba‘l, and greeted by name in the Quran.
Al-Yasa'
اليسعElisha (traditionally)
Named among the outstanding, alongside Isma‘il and Dhul-Kifl.
Yunus
يونسJonah
Left his people before permission was given, and called out from inside the whale.
Zakariyya
زكرياZechariah
Prayed quietly for an heir in old age, and was answered.
Yahya
يحيىJohn the Baptist
Given wisdom as a child, and a name no one had carried before him.
Isa
عيسىJesus
Born to Maryam without a father, who spoke from the cradle and was raised to Allah.
Muhammad
محمدThe final messenger, sent to all people, whose character the Quran calls exalted.
The stories, taught with their sources
Islamic studies lessons cover the prophets as the Quran tells them rather than as folklore.
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Questions about the prophets
How many prophets are named in the Quran?
Twenty-five are named. Muslims believe many more were sent, and the Quran states plainly that not every one has been mentioned.
Which prophet is mentioned most often?
Musa, peace be upon him, by a wide margin. Each entry here gives the surahs a prophet appears in so the count can be checked rather than taken on trust.
Are these stories suitable for young children?
Yes, and they are usually where Islamic studies starts, because a child remembers a narrative long before they remember a rule.
Do you teach this in lessons?
Yes, within Islamic studies for kids, alongside aqidah, the fiqh of worship and character.
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