Islamic Knowledge
25 Prophets in Islam: Names, Order & Family Tree
Learn about the prophets in Islam, including the 25 prophets named in the Qur’an, their names and order, family tree, Nabi vs Rasul, and how many prophets Allah sent.
Belief in the prophets and messengers of Allah is one of the six fundamental pillars of Islamic faith (Iman). Muslims do not venerate only Prophet Muhammad ﷺ; we affirm, love, and honor every genuine prophet sent by Allah throughout human history to guide humanity to monotheism (Tawhid), moral righteousness, and the worship of the One True Creator.
The Holy Qur’an specifically mentions 25 prophets by name, forming an unbroken spiritual chain from Adam عليه السلام (the first human and prophet) to Muhammad ﷺ (the final messenger and Seal of the Prophets). However, Islamic theology emphasizes that thousands of other prophets were sent to different civilizations whose names were not revealed in scripture (Qur’an 40:78).
Quick Answer: Who Are the 25 Prophets in Islam?
The 25 prophets explicitly named in the Qur’an are: Adam, Idris, Nuh (Noah), Hud, Salih, Ibrahim (Abraham), Lut (Lot), Ismail (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Yaqub (Jacob), Yusuf (Joseph), Ayyub (Job), Shu'ayb, Musa (Moses), Harun (Aaron), Dhul-Kifl, Dawud (David), Sulayman (Solomon), Ilyas (Elijah), Al-Yasa' (Elisha), Yunus (Jonah), Zakariya (Zechariah), Yahya (John), Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad ﷺ.
Believers do not discriminate between Allah's messengers: “We make no distinction between any of His messengers” (Qur’an 2:285).
What Is a Prophet in Islam? (Nabi vs. Rasul)
In Islamic terminology, a prophet is a righteous human being chosen by Allah to receive divine revelation and guide mankind. Prophets are strictly human servants of God—they possess no divine nature, are not partners with God, and are never worshipped.
Islamic scholarship identifies two primary classifications of divine appointees:
Prophet
A Nabi is an inspired prophet chosen by Allah who receives divine revelation and reinforces existing divine laws (Shariah) among his community. Every messenger (Rasul) is inherently a prophet (Nabi).
Messenger
A Rasul is a high-ranking messenger commissioned with a major divine mission, often bringing a new book of scripture or an updated legal dispensation to a nation that has deviated into polytheism or rebellion.
How Many Prophets Are There in Islam?
While the Qur’an records the names and histories of 25 prominent prophets, the total number sent to humanity across all generations is far greater:
“And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those [whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whose stories] We have not related to you.”
Complete List: The 25 Prophets Named in the Qur’an
Below is the comprehensive list of the 25 prophets mentioned in the Qur’an, including their Arabic names, traditional English/Biblical equivalents, and major scriptures or communities:
| # | Prophet (Arabic Name) | English / Biblical Equivalent | Key Mission / Scripture / Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam (آدم) عليه السلام | Adam | The first human being and first prophet created by Allah. |
| 2 | Idris (إدريس) عليه السلام | Enoch | Praised in the Qur’an for truthfulness and elevated status. |
| 3 | Nuh (نوح) عليه السلام | Noah | One of the 5 Ulul 'Azm; built the Ark and survived the Great Flood. |
| 4 | Hud (هود) عليه السلام | Eber / Hud | Sent to the powerful ancient Arab nation of 'Ad. |
| 5 | Salih (صالح) عليه السلام | Shelah / Salih | Sent to Thamud; delivered the sign of the miraculous she-camel. |
| 6 | Ibrahim (إبراهيم) عليه السلام | Abraham | Khalilullah (Friend of Allah), patriarch of monotheism, built the Ka'bah. |
| 7 | Lut (لوط) عليه السلام | Lot | Nephew of Ibrahim; warned the people of Sodom against transgression. |
| 8 | Ismail (إسماعيل) عليه السلام | Ishmael | Eldest son of Ibrahim; helped build the Ka'bah; ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. |
| 9 | Ishaq (إسحاق) عليه السلام | Isaac | Second son of Ibrahim; father of Yaqub; forefather of Israelite prophets. |
| 10 | Yaqub (يعقوب) عليه السلام | Jacob (Israel) | Father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Bani Israel) and Prophet Yusuf. |
| 11 | Yusuf (يوسف) عليه السلام | Joseph | Renowned for extraordinary beauty, dream interpretation, and leadership in Egypt. |
| 12 | Ayyub (أيوب) عليه السلام | Job | The supreme Quranic exemplar of patient perseverance (Sabr) through trial. |
| 13 | Shu'ayb (شعيب) عليه السلام | Jethro / Shu'ayb | Sent to Madyan; championed honest trade, fair weights, and monotheism. |
| 14 | Musa (موسى) عليه السلام | Moses | Kalimullah (Spoke with Allah); revealed the Tawrah (Torah); led the Exodus. |
| 15 | Harun (هارون) عليه السلام | Aaron | Brother and eloquent helper to Musa in the confrontation against Pharaoh. |
| 16 | Dhul-Kifl (ذو الكفل) عليه السلام | Ezekiel / Dhul-Kifl | Praised for steadfast devotion, righteousness, and keeping solemn covenants. |
| 17 | Dawud (داود) عليه السلام | David | King and prophet; received the Zabur (Psalms) (Qur’an 4:163). |
| 18 | Sulayman (سليمان) عليه السلام | Solomon | Son of Dawud; ruled with miraculous wisdom, understanding the language of birds. |
| 19 | Ilyas (إلياس) عليه السلام | Elijah | Called his people away from worshipping the idol Baal to the worship of Allah. |
| 20 | Al-Yasa' (اليسع) عليه السلام | Elisha | Successor to Ilyas; praised among the chosen and excellent servants of Allah. |
| 21 | Yunus (يونس) عليه السلام | Jonah (Dhan-Nun) | Swallowed by the whale; recited the famous prayer of Tawhid and repentance. |
| 22 | Zakariya (زكريا) عليه السلام | Zechariah | Guardian of Maryam; blessed with son Yahya in his miraculous old age. |
| 23 | Yahya (يحيى) عليه السلام | John the Baptist | Son of Zakariya; granted wisdom in youth; confirmed the word of Isa. |
| 24 | Isa (عيسى) عليه السلام | Jesus (Messiah) | Born of Virgin Maryam; received the Injil (Gospel); performed miraculous signs. |
| 25 | Muhammad (محمد) ﷺ | Muhammad | The Final Messenger of Allah and Seal of the Prophets (Qur’an 33:40); received the Qur’an. |
Visual Chronology: The 25 Prophets in Order
The Qur’an does not present one single uninterrupted chronological chapter listing every date, but classical Islamic historians and scholars establish the traditional timeline sequence as follows:
The Five Greatest Messengers (Ulul 'Azm)
Among all the prophets and messengers, Allah singled out five of exceptional perseverance, resolve, and steadfastness, known as Ulul 'Azm min ar-Rusul (أولو العزم من الرسل):
Nuh عليه السلام
Called his people for 950 years with extraordinary endurance.
Ibrahim عليه السلام
Tested with fire and the sacrifice of his son; father of prophets.
Musa عليه السلام
Confronted Pharaoh's tyranny and delivered the Torah.
Isa عليه السلام
The Messiah born of Maryam; preached compassion and the Gospel.
Muhammad ﷺ
The Seal of the Prophets sent as a mercy to all creation.
Family Tree of Prophets in Islam
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) عليه السلام is universally celebrated in Islam as the Father of the Prophets because the subsequent major prophetic lines descend directly from his two sons: Ismail (Ishmael) and Ishaq (Isaac).
The Abrahamic Prophetic Lineage
Settled in Mecca; helped rebuild the Ka'bah
The Final Messenger to all mankind
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Lineage & Paternal Ancestry
Islamic genealogical works (such as Ibn Hisham's Sirah Nabawiyyah) carefully record the direct paternal ancestry of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ back to Adnan, and through Adnan to Ismail and Ibrahim (peace be upon them):
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Prophets in Islam
How many prophets are there in Islam? ▼
The Qur’an names 25 prophets explicitly. However, Allah sent thousands of messengers to every nation throughout history whose exact total is known definitively only to Allah (Qur’an 40:78).
Who is the first and who is the last prophet in Islam? ▼
The first human and prophet was Adam عليه السلام. The final messenger and Seal of the Prophets is Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Qur’an 33:40). No new prophet will ever appear after him.
Do Muslims believe in Jesus (Isa) and Moses (Musa)? ▼
Yes! Believing in Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa) as noble prophets and messengers of God is an obligatory requirement of Islamic faith (Qur’an 3:84). Rejecting any true prophet invalidates a person's faith.
What is the difference between a Nabi and a Rasul? ▼
A Nabi is a general prophet who receives divine inspiration and maintains existing divine legislation. A Rasul is a higher-ranking messenger commissioned with a major scripture or new legal dispensation for a specific community. Every Rasul is a Nabi, but not every Nabi is a Rasul.
Are prophets divine or worshipped in Islam? ▼
No. In Islam, prophets are mortal human beings (Qur’an 21:7). They are loved, respected, and followed as role models, but worship (Ibadah) is directed exclusively to Allah alone.
Conclusion: One Unbroken Chain of Guidance
The history of the prophets in Islam is the timeless narrative of Tawhid (the Oneness of God). From Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them all), every messenger was entrusted with the same eternal call: to worship Allah alone and establish justice on Earth.
By studying their exemplary lives, moral perseverance, and unwavering devotion, believers find timeless guidance and inspiration for navigating the challenges of life today.