WHO IS PROPHET IDRIS?
Prophet Idris (Biblical name Enoch) was the third Prophet in Islam after Adam (AS).
According to Wahab, Idris was a well-built man with a strong broad chest and spoke with a low voice. It is also said he was tall and handsome and always spoke with a calm demeanor. Prophet Idris was very intellectually curious, he would ponder the vastness of the universe that his creator made — from the sky, the earth, the moon, the stars and the cloud.
The Qur’an mentions 2 verses which refer to Prophet Idris and are a testament to his character.
Wazkur fil Kitaabi Idrees; innahoo kaana siddeeqan Nabiyyaa
And mention in the Book, Idrees. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet.
Surah Maryam Ayat 56
Wa Ismaa’eela wa Idreesa wa Zal Kifli kullum minas saabireen
And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient.
Surah Anbiya Ayat 85
PROPHET IDRIS STORY
Prophet Idris was born during the lifetime of Prophet Adam. He was from amongst the followers of Sheath (Seth) and ruled the progeny of Adam following the death of Sheath. He was truthful, patient and an extraordinary individual— it is reported in hadith by Abu-Dharr that Idris was the first man to introduce the art of reading and writing to mankind.
Idris was a sincere servant of Allah, hence Allah chose him as a Prophet and Messenger, and elected him as the ruler over the children of Adam.
What began after death of Sheath is the people of Cain lost guidance and sin and corruption began increasing rapidly and spreading. Idris could not bear to watch his own people falling prey to the influence of shaitan. So Allah instructed Prophet Idris to call for Jihad (holy war) against the corrupt followers of Qabil (Cain) —Idris was the first Prophet and Messenger in the history of Islam to perform Jihad against corruption.
And as commanded by Allah, Idris gathered an army of men and battled in the name of Allah against the transgressors and emerged victorious.
Prophet Idris Victory over Transgressors
One day, Prophet Idris was informed by Allah that he would receive the rewards of all the good deeds performed by man each day till his last breath.
Prophet Idris was overjoyed with the news and thanked Allah immensely for all His blessings. But Idris was quite old, and was not quite ready to depart earth as enjoyed spreading good. So, he decided to speak to the Angel of death and plead him to delay his death. The Angel agreed to Idris’s plea and decided to meet with the Angel of death together with Idris.
The Angel flew to the fourth heaven with Prophet Idris on his wings and met with the Angel of death. Idris’s dear companion said to the Angel of death, “Prophet Idris wants to know if you could prolong his life”. The Angel of death was stunned; he replied, “And where is Idris?” “He is upon my back”, answered the Angel. The Angel of death replied, “How astonishing! I was sent and told to cease Idris’s soul in the fourth heaven. I kept thinking how I could cease it in the fourth heaven when he was on earth. Subhanallah (glory be to God), He made it happen!” And as the Lord instructed the Angel of death, the soul of Idris was taken in the fourth heaven.
Following the death of Prophet Idris, corruption began to increase rapidly again. Several generations later, with no Prophetic guidance, Satan finally managed to influence the children of Adam to commit their first act of shirk (polytheism).
SAYINGS AND QUOTES
There are some quotes and sayings which are attributed to Prophet Idris’ and here they are:
“Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord.”
“None can show better gratitude for Allah’s favors than he who shares them with others.”
“Do not envy people for what they have, as they will only enjoy it for a short while.”
“He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it.”
“The real joy of life is to have wisdom.”