Table of Contents

Explore the pivotal roles of the top 10 prophets in Islam, their teachings, miracles, and lasting impact on the faith. Dive into Islamic history.

Introduction:

In Islam, prophets are sent by Allah as messengers to humanity. Their primary task is to convey the word of Allah and guide people towards righteousness. From Adam, the first human and prophet, to Muhammad (SA), the last messenger, the Qur’an mentions 25 prophets by name, although it’s believed there were 124,000 prophets sent to different nations and tribes throughout history. These prophets, irrespective of their time or the challenges they faced, delivered a unified message: the oneness of God and the importance of living a life of righteousness, compassion, and faith. Among these, certain prophets are given a distinct importance due to their significant contributions and the major events that occurred during their prophethood.

1. Prophet Adam (A.S)

Brief Introduction: First human created by Allah and the first prophet.
Miracles: Given knowledge and wisdom.
Born and Death: Not specified.
Holy Books: None mentioned.
Ruling Area: Not applicable.
Ruling Period: Not applicable.
Followers: Early humans.
Prophecy: To live and propagate on Earth.
Wife and Children: Eve (Hawwa) and they had many children. Habil and Kabil were one of them.
Challenges: Being tempted by Satan and eating from the forbidden tree.
Parents: First human, no parents.
Number of Followers: Early humans.
Main Enemy: Satan (Iblis) due to his refusal to bow to Adam.

2. Prophet Nuh (Noah) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: Warned his people of divine wrath and built an ark.
Miracles: Built a huge ark with divine guidance.
Born and Death: Lived 950 years.
Holy Books: None mentioned.
Ruling Area: Specific region not named.
Ruling Period: Preached for 950 years.
Followers: Few; those who boarded the ark with him.
Prophecy: To warn his people to worship only Allah.
Wife and Children: Had children; one of them didn’t board the ark.
Challenges: Mockery and opposition from his people.
Parents: Not specified in Islamic sources.
Number of Followers: Few; those who boarded the ark.
Main Enemy: The leaders and elite of his community who opposed him.

3. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: Patriarch of monotheism.
Miracles: Survived being thrown into a fire.
Born and Death: Dates unspecified.
Holy Books: Scrolls of Abraham.
Ruling Area: Mesopotamia and Canaan.
Ruling Period: Unspecified.
Followers: His family and some people.

Prophecy: Worship one God.
Wife and Children: Sarah, Hajar; sons: Isma’il and Ishaq.
Challenges: Opposition from idol worshippers
Parents: His father’s name was Azar.
Number of Followers: Mainly his family initially, and later many more.
Main Enemy: Nimrod, a tyrant king, and the idol worshipers of his time..

4. Prophet Musa (Moses) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: Led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Miracles: Parted the Red Sea, his staff turned into a snake.
Born and Death: Approx. 1300–1200 BC.
Holy Books: Tawrat (Torah).
Ruling Area: Egypt to Sinai.
Ruling Period: Unspecified.
Followers: Israelites.
Prophecy: Worship Allah and follow the commandments.
Wife and Children: Wife Zipporah; children unspecified.
Challenges: Pharaoh’s oppression, Israelites’ disobedience.
Parents: Amram (father) and Jochebed (mother).
Number of Followers: Israelites.
Main Enemy: Pharaoh of Egypt and his magicians

5. Prophet Dawud (David) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: A king and prophet.
Miracles: Given the Psalms, ability to mold iron.
Born and Death: Dates unspecified.
Holy Books: Zabur (Psalms).
Ruling Area: United Kingdom of Israel.
Ruling Period: Unspecified.
Followers: Israelites.
Prophecy: Worship Allah.
Wife and Children: Multiple wives; son: Prophet Sulayman.
Challenges: Battles, family discord.
Parents: His father’s name was Jesse.
Number of Followers: Israelites.
Main Enemy: Goliath (Jalut) and internal opposition from some Israelites.

6. Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: Wise king and prophet.
Miracles: Control over jinn, animals, and wind.
Born and Death: Dates unspecified.
Holy Books: None specific.
Ruling Area: United Kingdom of Israel.
Ruling Period: Unspecified.
Followers: Israelites.
Prophecy: Worship Allah.
Wife and Children: Many wives; children unspecified.
Challenges: Maintaining justice.
Parents: Prophet Dawud (father) and an unnamed mother.
Number of Followers: Israelites and jinn.
Main Enemy: No specific enemy, but he faced challenges, including from the Queen of Sheba until she embraced the monotheistic faith.

7. Prophet Yunus (Jonah) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: Swallowed by a large fish.
Miracles: Survived inside the fish.
Born and Death: Dates unspecified.
Holy Books: None mentioned.
Ruling Area: Nineveh.
Ruling Period: Unspecified.
Followers: People of Nineveh (eventually).
Prophecy: Worship Allah.
Wife and Children: Not specified.
Challenges: Initially rejected by his people.
Parents: Not specified in Islamic sources.
Number of Followers: Initially very few, but after his ordeal, the entire city of Nineveh repented.
Main Enemy: The disbelief and stubbornness of the people of Nineveh.

8. Prophet Isa (Jesus) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: Born to Virgin Mary, performed miracles.
Miracles: Raised the dead, healed the blind.
Born and Death: Birth around 4–6 BC. In Islam, he wasn’t crucified but was raised up to heaven.
Holy Books: Injil (Gospel).
Ruling Area: Palestine.
Ruling Period: Short prophetic mission.
Followers: Early Christians.
Prophecy: Confirm previous scriptures, herald the coming of Muhammad.
Wife and Children: None.
Challenges: Opposition from religious leaders.
Parents: Virgin Mary (Maryam) (mother); miraculously conceived without a human father.
Number of Followers: His disciples and early Christians.
Main Enemy: Some Jewish authorities of the time who conspired against him.

9. Prophet Isma’il (Ishmael) (A.S)

Brief Introduction: Abraham’s son, ancestor of Arabs.
Miracles: None specific.
Born and Death: Dates unspecified.
Holy Books: None mentioned.
Ruling Area: Arabia.
Ruling Period: Unspecified.
Followers: Ancient Arab tribes.
Prophecy: Worship Allah.
Wife and Children: Had children; details unspecified.
Challenges: Survival in the desert.
Parents: Prophet Ibrahim (father) and Hajar (mother).
Number of Followers: Ancient Arab tribes.
Main Enemy: No particular enemy as he is more known for his submission to Allah and role in building the Kaaba.

10. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)

Brief Introduction: Last prophet, brought Islam.
Miracles: Night journey, splitting of the moon.
Born and Death: 570–632 AD.
Holy Books: Quran.
Ruling Area: Arabia.

Ruling Period: Prophetic mission from 610–632 AD.
Followers: Muslims.
Prophecy: Worship one God, follow the Quran.
Wife and Children: Multiple wives (Khadija, Aisha, etc.); children: Fatima, Hassan, Hussain, etc.
Challenges: Persecution, battles, boycotts.
Parents: Amina (mother) and Abdullah (father).
Number of Followers: Few in the beginning, but by the end of his life, the majority of the Arabian Peninsula had accepted Islam.
Main Enemy: Quraysh leaders like Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab, and other Arab tribes opposing Islam.

Conclusion

The stories and lessons from the lives of the prophets in Islam serve as timeless examples of steadfastness, faith, and submission to God’s will. Despite the diverse challenges and enemies they faced, their lives depict an unwavering commitment to convey the message of monotheism. They highlight the essence of resilience, sacrifice, and moral integrity. Prophet Muhammad, the final messenger, culminated this line of prophethood, confirming the teachings of his predecessors and delivering the complete message of Islam. The narratives of these prophets not only provide historical insight but also offer moral and ethical guidance for all believers, serving as beacons of light in navigating the challenges of life.

Top 10 Prophets in Islam