Prophets in Islam: the 25 names and their Quranic accounts

How many prophets are there in Islam?

The Quran names prophets and also refers to messengers whose accounts were not related. Al-Nisa 4:163 to 164 therefore gives a reason to distinguish a list of named figures from the total number sent.

Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim, on Al-Nisa 4:164, under a heading on the prophets the Quran explicitly names, lists Dhu al-Kifl, peace be upon him, and says that many commentators include him 2.

His status needs that qualification. Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Azim, on Al-Anbiya 21:85, reasons from the context that Dhu al-Kifl was not mentioned alongside the prophets unless he was one of them. It reports the view that he was only a righteous man, and records that Ibn Jarir withheld judgement 3.

Below are 25 names: our count of the names in that teaching list, including Dhu al-Kifl. Each one is named in the Quran text. They are not a claim that every figure's status is undisputed, or that Allah sent only 25 prophets.

What are the 25 names and their Quran references?

This is our alphabetical reading list, not a timeline. The table uses the Arabic forms of the names; the translation quoted above uses English forms, such as Noah for Nuh, Abraham for Ibrahim and Jonah for Yunus. Each reference is a place to begin; it is not necessarily the person's only mention. Al-An'am 6:83 to 89 names a group of 18 of them. Verse 89 says that those in this passage were given the Book, judgement and prophethood. The other seven names are listed separately below.

Seven names fall outside the Al-An'am passage: Adam, Dhu al-Kifl, Hud, Idris, Muhammad, Salih and Shuʿayb. This is a way to check our arithmetic, not a separate classification from the Quran.

Can the prophets be put in order?

Some relative sequences have a source. A numbered chart placing every name into a precise sequence needs more evidence than the alphabetical list provides.

If you are making revision cards, keep a name and its reference together. Add a chronological claim only when you can attach its own source. An alphabetical index can help you find an account without asking you to memorise dates the sources do not give.

What did the prophets call people to?

Al-Nahl 16:36 describes messengers being sent to every community with the call to worship Allah and to avoid false worship. This common foundation connects accounts that take place among different peoples.

Each account can then be read in its own setting. Hud's address (Al-A'raf 7:65) names 'Ad; Salih's (Al-A'raf 7:73) names Thamud; Shuʿayb's (Al-A'raf 7:85) names Madyan and addresses fair measure and weight. Those details belong to their cited passages, not to an interchangeable story about an unnamed community.

Who is the final prophet in Islam?

Al-Ahzab 33:40 calls the Prophet Muhammad the seal of the prophets. The hadith below also says there is no prophet after him.

A report narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, in Sahih al-Bukhari 3455 also records the Prophet, peace be upon him, saying that there would be no prophet after him. The report is graded sahih (authentic) by the collection's convention.

1AuthenticSahih al-Bukhari 3455

The report also begins with the Children of Israel being ruled by prophets, and goes on to speak of caliphs after the Prophet. This page does not take up those clauses, and draws no conclusion about later rulers from them.

Where can I start reading the accounts?

Try this reference route. It is a learning sequence chosen for this lesson, not a historical order.

1. Read Al-Nisa 4:163 to 164 to connect revelation with the distinction between named prophets and messengers whose accounts were not related.
2. Read Al-An'am 6:83 to 89 alongside the names table, and notice how many names appear within one connected passage.
3. Read the separate addresses in Al-A'raf 7:65, 7:73 and 7:85, and keep each named community with its own account.
4. Read Al-Ahzab 33:40 for the reference concerning the final prophet.

Individual accounts for some of the other names are listed on the prophets hub. The account of Isa, peace be upon him, is linked from the names table.