Prophet Idris

Idris, a man of truth

The Quran tells us about Prophet Idris (peace be upon him) in only a few gentle words — but each and every word is precious. Allah calls him a man of truth and a prophet, and Allah tells us that He raised him to a high place. When the Quran says only a little about someone, we say only a little too. We treasure exactly what Allah told us, and we are careful never to add stories of our own that Allah did not tell us.

Truthful and patient

Allah asked our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to mention Idris in the Quran and to remember him well, so that we would learn from him too. Idris was known for one shining quality above all: he always told the truth, and he always kept his promises. Being truthful means our words match what is real — we do not pretend, we do not make things up, and we do not change our story to look better. Idris shows us how beautiful, and how strong, a truthful heart really is, and how much Allah loves the people who are honest.

Raised to a high place

Allah honoured Idris and raised him to a high station. The scholars are careful and humble here: we simply believe what Allah said — that He raised Idris to a high place — without inventing any details that Allah did not tell us. His special nearness to Allah came from his truthfulness and his love of worship. Idris teaches us a wonderful lesson: when we are honest, and when we stay close to Allah through our prayers and good deeds, Allah raises our worth and our place in the very best of ways, in this life and the next.