Prophet Stories in Quran

The Holy Quran is considered to be the Holy book for Muslims all around the world and it comprises various stories of the Prophets of Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) sent 124,000 Prophets to preach the message of Islam and to lead humanity to the right path but only 25 of them are mentioned in the Holy Quran.

The task of spreading Islam and guiding people to the right path was a very difficult one. Each Prophet sent by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) experienced difficulties and faced numerous hardships but they remained steadfast throughout all of them. The Prophets are exceptional individuals and are considered to be role models for all Muslims.

The life of every Prophet in Islam serves as an important lesson for Muslims all around the world because it depicts their devotion to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Delivering the message of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to the people, all these Prophets have stories that have been mentioned in the Quran. This blog will discuss the lives of the Prophets, their stories, and their love for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that enabled them to remain steadfast in their Prophetic missions.

1. Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Adam

Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) is considered to be the first man to descend to Earth along with his wife Bibi Hawwa (Eve). He lived for 1000 years after his birth and the offspring of this couple were born in pairs, meaning that each baby boy was born with a baby girl. Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was sent to Earth as per Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)’s command and you can read more about this story here.

2. Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Enoch

Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in 3382 BC in Iraq and lived for 856 years before departing in 2517 BC. Belonging to the sixth generation of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام), his name is mentioned twice in the Holy Quran. Prophet Idris (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was a righteous follower of Sheath (Seth) and assumed leadership over Adam’s descendants after Sheath’s demise.

He was known for his patience and his virtuous qualities and he is known for introducing the art of reading and writing to mankind. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) appointed him as a messenger and a Prophet because of his virtuous qualities. If you are interested in learning more about his story, you can read it here.

3. Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Noah

Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born 1056 years after the birth of Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and was the third Prophet of Islam. He is the first Ulu al-Azm Prophet and he is mentioned multiple times in the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) had decided to send Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) to guide people back to the righteous path. Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was constantly mocked by the disbelievers while he preached Islam. When this continued, Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) prayed for the disbelievers’ eradication, and Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) instructed him to build an ark. Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and his believers and pairs of animals boarded the ark while floodwaters drowned the disbelievers that mocked Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام). You can read more about this story here.

4. Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Hud

While the precise date of Prophet Hud’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) birth remains uncertain, it is said that he was born between 300-600 B.C. and lived in the Yemeni province of Hadramawt. Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) is also mentioned several times in the Quran. He was sent by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to guide the people of ‘Ad, who were known for being arrogant about their wealth and for participating in idolatry. Prophet Hud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) warned them, but the disbelievers continued to ridicule him and did not pay heed to his message. You can read more about this story here.

5. Prophet Salih (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Saleh

Prophet Salih (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) lived in a region called Al Hajar. He is also recognized as a descendant of Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and was sent to the region of Thamud, which was known to be materialistic and for worshiping their wealthy leaders as Gods. He preached the message of Islam, but the majority rejected him and accused him of madness. Prophet Salih (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) prayed for a miraculous she-camel to emerge from a rock, but most disbelievers ridiculed him for that and accused him of performing magic. They killed the she-camel as a punishment and faced the consequences of their actions. You can read more about this story by clicking this link.

6. Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Abraham

Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in 1996 BC in Babylonia to a family of idolaters and he passed away in 1821 BC at the age of 175 years. He was known as ‘Khalilullah,’ which means ‘the friend of Allah’, and he is acknowledged by three major religions: Muslims, Jews, and Christians. He is also known for the construction of the Kaaba in Makkah. Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) faced a great trial when he received a divine command in a dream to sacrifice his son, Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام). You can find more details about this story here.

7. Prophet Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Ishmael

Born in 1800 BC to Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام), Prophet Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was the first child of the couple. He built the Holy Kaaba with his father and his birth is considered to be a miracle. Both Prophet Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and his mother (Hajra) were left in the barren valley in the Arabian Peninsula by Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام). You can read more about it here.

8. Prophet Ishaaq (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Isaac & Prophet Yaqub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Jacob

Prophet Ishaaq (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was as the second son of Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and he was born in 1896 BC in Palestine. He died at the age of 180 years in Hebron in 1716 BC and he is mentioned 17 times in the Holy Quran. Prophet Yaqub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was the son of Prophet Ishaaq (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and Rekebah. You can find more details about their story here.

9. Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Lot

Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in 1980 BC in Iraq and was raised by his uncle (Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام). Even though he faced numerous trials, Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) remained steadfast and continued to preach the message of Islam. He was appointed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to guide the corrupt city of Sodom which promoted and indulged in homosexuality. He tried to guide all the people to the right path but they continued to engage in immoral acts. You can find more details about this story here.

10. Prophet Shuaib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Shuaib

Prophet Shuaib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in Madyan and the people of this town would participate in idolatry, cheating and various other bad deeds. They would also worship trees so Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) sent Prophet Shuaib (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) to guide them to the right path. You can find more details about this story here.

11. Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Joseph

Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was the son of Prophet Yaqub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and Rachel. Born in Canaan and being one of the twelfth children, Prophet Yaqub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) faced many trials in his life. His story serves as a stark reminder that one must not lose hope during difficult times. You can find the details here if you want to read more about his story.

12. Prophet Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Job

Prophet Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was a descendant of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and Ayyub’s mother was the granddaughter of Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام). Prophet Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) shared his life with his beloved wife Rahma and their fourteen children in Rome. He had great wealth but also faced losing wealth and his loved ones. He did not lose faith and hope in Allah; he continued to believe in him, and Allah gave him blessings again. You can read more about this here.

13. Prophet Dhul-Kifl (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Dhu al-Kifl

Prophet Dhul-Kifl’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) name is mentioned in the Quran in the verse:

“And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient” (Quran, Surah Sad,

38:48)”.

Prophet Dhul-Kifl (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) is known for his patience and virtue.  You can read more about his story here.

14. People of Ar-Rass – Ar-Rass أهل الرس

The People of Ar-Rass are also known as the People of the Well and they were an ancient community that have been mentioned in the Quran. You can read the full story about them here.

15. People of Antioch – Antioch شعب أنطاكية

We possess limited knowledge about the people of Antioch, and that has been conveyed to us by Almighty Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) in the Holy Quran. A similitude is presented to them: the narrative of the town’s inhabitants are believed to be Antioch (Antakiya). They rejected the messengers sent to them, and you can find more details about their story here.

16. Prophet Yunus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) Jonah

Prophet Yunus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was sent by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to Nineveh which is a city located in Northern Iraq. People in this city committed sins and also participated in idol worship. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) sent Prophet Yunus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) to guide them to the right path. After facing rejection by the people of Nineveh, Prophet Yunus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) decided to leave Nineveh. One of the most significant aspects of this story was that when he was traveling, Prophet Yunus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was swallowed by a whale. He prayed to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), the most-merciful ordered the whale to leave Yunus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) at the nearest shore. You can find more details about the story here.

17. Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Moses

Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in Egypt and is known as ‘Kaleem Allah’ the one who has the honor of directly speaking with Allah. His birth is known to be remarkable because he was born at a time when Firaun had ordered the killing of newborn baby boys, but Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was kept alive by the will of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). To find out more about his story, click here.

18. Prophet Hisqeel (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Ezekiel

Prophet Ezekiel (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in 622 BC in present-day Palestine, and he passed away in 570 BC. He is also recognized as Prophet Hizqeel (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) or Ezekiel in some religions and is known to have a revered standing as one of the prophets in the Islamic faith. There is very limited information available regarding him, but you can find more details here.

19. Prophet Ilyas (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Elisha

Prophet Ilyas (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) is also known as Elisha in English and was a Prophet known for his patience and strong faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). His legacy serves as a reminder for Muslims to remain steadfast in difficult times and to encourage them to lead purposeful lives. You can find more about his story here.

20. Prophet Shammil (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Samuel

Prophet Shammil (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was chosen by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) to guide people towards faith and justice. He is held in high regard for his extraordinary qualities of wisdom and his role as a judge within his community. You can read more about his story here.

21. Prophet Dawud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – David

Prophet Dawud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in the 10th century in Jerusalem and belonged to the tribe of Judah. Prophet Dawud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) is known for his bravery – defeating Goliath with just a single stone. This event in history depicts Prophet Dawud’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) faith and courage. He is also known for the Psalms, sacred hymns, and all the prayers attributed to him. You can find the complete story here.

22. Prophet Sulaiman (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Solomon

Prophet Sulaiman (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was the son of Prophet Dawud (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) and was born in the city of Jerusalem. A significant event in Sulaiman’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) life includes his encounter with the Queen of Sheba. He invited her to Islam and showcased his abilities during this meeting. He swiftly transported her throne to Jerusalem in a remarkable display. More details about this story are available here.

23. Prophet Isaiah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Shia

Prophet Isiah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was a Prophet appointed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and the Quran acknowledges his status as a Prophet of Islam. He spent his life teaching and spreading the message of Islam, and more information about his story can be found on this link.

24. Prophet Aramaya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Jeremiah

Prophet Aramaya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was considered to be a Prophet, but his name has not been mentioned in the Quran. Details and information about his life in sources are comparatively less than in the other prophets’ stories but his life highlights the values of faith and morality. You can read his story here.

25. Prophet Daniyal (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Daniel

Prophet Daniyal (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was one of the Prophets who was sent to the children of Israel. Even though he is not mentioned in the Quran, some Hadiths and Islamic narrations refer to him. A significant event in his life involved an encounter with a lion, during which divine intervention by Allah played a pivotal role in ensuring his protection. You can find more details about the story here.

26. Prophet Uzair (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Ezra

Prophet Uzair (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was a Prophet sent by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and his story emphasizes the importance placed on safeguarding sacred text. This reflects concerns about preserving faith and religious guidance within Islam. You can find more about his story here.

27. Prophet Zakariya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Zechariah

Born in the city of Jerusalem, Prophet Zakariya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was well-known for his commitment and faithful devotion towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). He constantly preached the message of Islam and guided Muslims to the right path.  The birth of his son Yahya has been mentioned multiple times in the Quran and Islamic traditions. You can find out more about this story here.

28. Prophet Yahya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – John

Prophet Yahya (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in Jerusalem, and his birth story is mentioned in the Quran and many Islamic traditions. He is well-known for his sincerity towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and he abstained from worldly pleasures, leading a life dedicated solely to God. You can read more about the story here.

29. Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) – Jesus

Prophet Isa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was born in Bethlehem and he was appointed as a prophet and messenger of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Prophet Isa’s birth is considered to be a very remarkable event that has been highlighted in the Quran and Islamic traditions. Born to the Virgin Mary and born without a father, his birth was considered to be a miracle, and he could also perform many miracles, such as bringing back the dead to life, healing the injured, and many others, all with Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) permission. You can find more about his story here.

30. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) – Muhammad

Born in 570 CE, the Year of the Elephant, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last Prophet of Islam. Throughout his Prophethood, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) received various relevance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), which eventually led to the revelation of the Quran. The Holy Quran is considered to be a sacred text for all Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) passed away in Media. You can read more about his story here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many Prophet Stories are mentioned in the Quran?

25 Prophets are mentioned in the Quran, along with their stories. There is a total of six Surahs in the Holy Quran that are in the name of the Prophets.

Which Prophet’s story is mentioned the most in the Quran?

The Prophet’s story, mentioned most in the Quran, is Prophet Musa (A.S.). His name appears 136 times in the Holy Quran, and his life has been extensively narrated and recounted in the Quran.

Who is believed to be the father of humanity in the Islamic tradition?

Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) is believed to be the father of humanity.

Which Prophet built an Ark for people to be saved from the floods?

Prophet Nuh, also known as Noah, built an ark to save his people and all the animals from the floods.

Are there stories about Muhammad in the Quran?

Yes, the Quran refers to the early life of Muhammad (ﷺ), along with biographical details and his prophetic mission.

Which Prophet has believed in surviving after being swallowed by a huge fish?

Prophet Yunus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) believed in surviving after being swallowed by a whale.

What was the main sin of the people of the Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام)?

The main sin of the people of Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَام) was homosexuality.

Conclusion

The stories of the Prophets of Islam serve as important lessons for Muslims worldwide. These stories teach us bravery, courage, strength, and determination and guide us toward the right path.