The 25 Prophets in the Quran — names and references

The Quran names 25 prophets. Allah says there were others too: “Messengers We have told you about, and messengers We have not told you about” — An-Nisa 4:164. Muslims believe in all of them without distinction — Al-Baqarah 2:285.

آدم

Adam

The first human and first prophet; Allah taught him the names of all things, and he repented and was forgiven.

Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:30–37; Al-A‘raf 7:11–25

إدريس

Idris

A truthful prophet whom Allah raised to a high station.

Quran: Maryam 19:56–57; Al-Anbiya 21:85

نوح

Nuh (Noah)

Called his people for many centuries; Allah saved him and the believers in the Ark.

Quran: Nuh 71; Hud 11:25–48; Al-‘Ankabut 29:14

هود

Hud

Sent to the people of ‘Ad, who rejected him and were destroyed by a fierce wind.

Quran: Hud 11:50–60; Al-Ahqaf 46:21–25

صالح

Salih

Sent to Thamud with the she-camel as a sign.

Quran: Hud 11:61–68; Ash-Shams 91:11–15

إبراهيم

Ibrahim (Abraham)

The friend of Allah (Khalil); he rejected idols and raised the Ka‘bah with Isma‘il.

Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:124–131; Ibrahim 14:35–41; An-Nisa 4:125

لوط

Lut (Lot)

Warned his people against their sins; Allah saved him and his family, except his wife.

Quran: Hud 11:77–83; Al-Hijr 15:57–77

إسماعيل

Isma‘il (Ishmael)

Son of Ibrahim, true to his promise, who helped build the Ka‘bah.

Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:127–129; Maryam 19:54–55; As-Saffat 37:101–107

إسحاق

Ishaq (Isaac)

Son of Ibrahim, given as glad tidings to him and Sarah.

Quran: As-Saffat 37:112–113; Hud 11:71

يعقوب

Ya‘qub (Jacob)

Son of Ishaq, father of Yusuf; he advised his sons to die as Muslims.

Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:132–133; Yusuf 12:4–18, 83–98

يوسف

Yusuf (Joseph)

His story, “the best of stories”, is told in full in the surah named after him.

Quran: Yusuf 12:3–101

أيوب

Ayyub (Job)

Patient through long illness and loss; Allah restored him.

Quran: Al-Anbiya 21:83–84; Sad 38:41–44

شعيب

Shu‘ayb

Sent to Madyan to call them to honest weights and measures.

Quran: Hud 11:84–95; Al-A‘raf 7:85–93

موسى

Musa (Moses)

Spoke with Allah, was given the Tawrah and led the Children of Israel out of Egypt.

Quran: Ta-Ha 20:9–98; Al-Qasas 28:3–46; An-Nisa 4:164

هارون

Harun (Aaron)

Brother and helper of Musa.

Quran: Ta-Ha 20:29–36; Maryam 19:53

ذو الكفل

Dhul-Kifl

Counted among the patient and the best.

Quran: Al-Anbiya 21:85–86; Sad 38:48

داود

Dawud (David)

King and prophet, given the Zabur; the mountains and birds glorified Allah with him.

Quran: An-Nisa 4:163; Saba’ 34:10–11; Sad 38:17–26

سليمان

Sulayman (Solomon)

Son of Dawud, given knowledge, the speech of birds and power over the wind and jinn.

Quran: An-Naml 27:15–44; Saba’ 34:12–14

إلياس

Ilyas (Elijah)

Called his people away from the idol Ba‘l.

Quran: As-Saffat 37:123–132; Al-An‘am 6:85

اليسع

Al-Yasa‘ (Elisha)

Named among the chosen and the best.

Quran: Al-An‘am 6:86; Sad 38:48

يونس

Yunus (Jonah)

Swallowed by the great fish; he glorified Allah and was saved.

Quran: As-Saffat 37:139–148; Al-Anbiya 21:87–88; Yunus 10:98

زكريا

Zakariyya (Zechariah)

Guardian of Maryam; Allah answered his prayer for a son in old age.

Quran: Al ‘Imran 3:37–41; Maryam 19:2–11

يحيى

Yahya (John)

Son of Zakariyya, given wisdom as a child; peace upon him the day he was born.

Quran: Maryam 19:12–15; Al ‘Imran 3:39

عيسى

‘Isa (Jesus)

Born to Maryam without a father, given the Injil; he was not killed but raised up by Allah.

Quran: Maryam 19:16–36; Al ‘Imran 3:45–59; An-Nisa 4:157–158

محمد ﷺ

Muhammad ﷺ

The Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets, sent as a mercy to the worlds; the Quran was revealed to him.

Quran: Al-Ahzab 33:40; Al-Anbiya 21:107; Al-Fath 48:29

The 25 Prophets named in the Quran