Idris (إِدْرِيس) — Stories of the Prophets

Idris (peace be upon him) is mentioned briefly in the Qur'an, where Allah commands the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to remember him in the Book, describing him as a man of truth and a prophet (19:56).

Allah states that He raised him to a high station (19:57), a mark of the honour and closeness Idris attained with his Lord. He is also listed among the patient and righteous whom Allah admitted into His mercy (21:85-86).

The Qur'an does not provide a detailed narrative of his life or mission, and much of what circulates about him in later traditions is unverified. In keeping with authenticity, only what the Qur'an affirms is retained: that he was truthful, patient, a prophet, and raised in rank by Allah.

From the authentic Sunnah

The Quran raises Idris to a high station (19:56-57). The authentic Sunnah shows the Prophet ﷺ meeting him on the Night Journey.

Hadith — Idris in the fourth heaven on the MiʿrajSahih

On the Night Journey (Isra and Miʿraj), the Prophet ﷺ was taken up through the heavens. In the fourth heaven he met Idris, who welcomed him and prayed for good for him — a living confirmation of Allah's words, "And We raised him to a high station."

Narrated by Anas ibn Malik, Sahih al-Bukhari 3887 & Sahih Muslim 162

Key lessons

Truthfulness (sidq) is a defining quality of the prophets

Patience and righteousness draw a person into Allah's mercy

Allah elevates the sincere to high stations

Where the Qur'an is brief, we restrain ourselves from unverified detail

Stories are drawn from the Quran and authentic hadith; unverified narrations (isra'iliyyat) and folk embellishments are avoided. For deeper study, consult the tafsir and a qualified scholar.