All Prophets Names in Islam with Brief Stories

Have you ever thought about how deeply divine guidance has been part of human history? As Muslims, we believe that Allah, with His infinite wisdom and compassion, sent prophets to every nation to show people the way to truth. These amazing messengers, chosen by Allah, were given the important task of sharing His eternal message and gently reminding people of their main purpose: to worship Allah alone and follow His commands closely. 

Learning about all prophets names in Islam and understanding the rich stories of their lives helps us grow in our faith and connect with a powerful spiritual legacy that has lasted for thousands of years. 

List of All Prophets Names in Islam from the Quran

The Quran mentions the names of 25 prophets. These are not the only prophets sent by Allah, as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “A hundred and twenty-four thousand (124,000) among whom were three hundred and fifteen (315) messengers all told.”

However, here is the list of all prophets names in Islam that are explicitly mentioned in the Quran:

1. Adam 
2. Idris (Enoch) 
3. Nuh (Noah) 
4. Hud 
5. Salih 
6. Ibrahim (Abraham) 
7. Lut (Lot) 
8. Ismail (Ishmael) 
9. Ishaq (Isaac) 
10. Yaqub (Jacob) 
11. Yusuf (Joseph) 
12. Shu’ayb 
13. Ayyub (Job) 
14. Dhulkifl (Ezekiel or possibly another prophet) 
15. Musa (Moses) 
16. Harun (Aaron) 
17. Dawud (David) 
18. Sulaiman (Solomon) 
19. Ilyas (Elijah) 
20. Alyasa (Elisha) 
21. Yunus (Jonah) 
22. Zakariya (Zachariah) 
23. Yahya (John the Baptist) 
24. Isa (Jesus) 
25. Muhammad ﷺ 

Your personalized Islamic learning journey awaits, starting with a free consultation from Al-Azhar-certified Sheikhs in Egypt.

What Makes a Prophet in Islam?

Allah Almighty chose His prophets and messengers from among mankind to call people to His Oneness and worship and to teach them His religion. Allah granted His prophets all forms of virtue and distinguished them above the rest of creation even before prophethood, and then increased them in honor by bestowing upon them prophethood. No one can ever reach their status. Allah says:

“Allah chooses messengers from among the angels and from among the people. Verily, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Surat Al-Hajj 75)

All prophets names in Islam are the purest of mankind in heart, the most truthful in faith and speech, the strongest in worship, the wisest in intellect, the best in character, the most patient,, the greatest in mercy, the healthiest in body, and the most beautiful in appearance. Yet, despite all that, they are still human beings — they marry, eat, drink, and experience human conditions such as common illnesses. Allah has honored His prophets with special characteristics and virtues among these are:

1. Revelation (Wahy)

In Islamic terms, wahy (revelation) is the divine communication by which Allah informs His prophets of His laws and messages — either directly or through an intermediary, most famously the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel).

2. The Infallibility of Prophets (Ismah)

All prophets are protected from error in receiving and conveying the divine message. They never forget or misrepresent what Allah has revealed to them. They are also protected from committing major sins, whether before or after their prophethood.

3. Their Eyes Sleep but Their Hearts Do Not

The prophets are  unique by that while their eyes may sleep, their hearts remain awake. The prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“The Prophet’s eyes would sleep, but his heart would not — and the same is true for all prophets.”

4. They Are Given the Choice at the Time of Death

When a prophet falls in illness that will lead to his death, he is given the choice between remaining alive or departing to the Hereafter. The prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

‘No prophet falls ill except that he is given a choice (between life and death).’ During the sickness from which he passed away”

5. Prophets Are Buried Where They Die

One of the special honors for the prophets is that they are to be buried exactly where they die. Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“No prophet is buried except where he dies.” 

For this reason, the companions buried the Prophet ﷺ in the room of Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللّٰهُ عَنْهَا, where he passed away.

6. The Earth Does Not Consume the Bodies of the Prophets

While the bodies of ordinary people decay over time,the earth is forbidden from consuming all the prophets’ bodies. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The best of your days is Friday. So increase your blessings upon me on that day, for your blessings are presented to me.” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how will our blessings be presented to you when your body has decayed?”  He replied, “Indeed, Allah has forbidden the earth from consuming the bodies of the prophets.”

7. Prophets Are Alive in Their Graves and Offer Prayers

These prayers are not an obligation, but rather a divine honor and reward granted to them, for worship was beloved to them in life.” the Prophet ﷺ said: 

“The prophets are alive in their graves and they pray.”

“On the night of Isra’, I passed by the Red Sandhill and saw Musa (Moses) standing in his grave praying.”

8. Prophets Do Not Leave Inheritance of Wealth — Only Knowledge

Prophets do not leave behind wealth for inheritance. What they leave is knowledge. Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“We, the group of prophets, do not leave inheritance. What we leave behind is charity.”

The Stories Behind the Most Known Prophets

Let’s explore some brief stories behind the most famous among all prophets names in Islam:

Adam عليه السلام

The first human and first prophet. His story teaches us about creation, sin, repentance, and Allah’s mercy.

Allah Almighty informed the angels of His intention to create Adam. The angels asked—not out of objection or envy, but as a means of seeking understanding and wisdom: “Will You place upon it one who causes corruption and sheds blood?” Allah informed them that there was divine wisdom in this and He knows what they do not know.

When Allah willed to create Adam (peace be upon him), He took a handful of soil from the earth—its soft and rough parts, its light and dark portions, its white, black, and red shades. As a result, the children of Adam came forth with diverse colors. Then He shaped Adam and formed him, and breathed into him the soul—from his head onward.When the soul settled in his body, Adam sneezed and said: “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is due to Allah). So Allah said to him: “May Allah have mercy on you.”

Then Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to him, and they all did so but Iblis refused, acted arrogantly, and said: “Shall I prostrate to one You created from clay?” And he said: “I am better than him. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.” When Allah exposed self-admiration of Iblis, He cursed him and expelled him from His mercy.

Then, Allah taught Adam the names of all things. He then presented these objects before the angels and tested them, asking them to name them. The angels responded:
“Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us”. Then Allah commanded Adam to inform the angels of the names, and when he did so, they realized the special honor Allah had granted him.

Allah placed Adam in Paradise, but he was alone. So, Allah caused him to fall into a deep sleep, and when he awoke, he found a woman sitting near his head.

Allah permitted them to enjoy everything in Paradise, except for one specific tree. Iblis could not rest. He schemed and whispered to them, telling them to eat from the forbidden tree, and they fell into his deception. They ate from the tree, and immediately their nakedness became apparent to them.

Then Allah accepted Adam’s repentance, cursed Iblis, and sent Adam and his wife down to the earth, along with Iblis. So he is the first of all prophets names in Islam.

Nuh عليه السلام

Nuh called his people to worship Allah alone and to abandon the idols they worshiped. He invited them day and night, in private and in public. However, most of them rejected his message.

After many years of rejection, Allah revealed to Nuh that a great flood would come to destroy the disbelievers. Allah commanded him to build a large ark (ship). While he was building it, people laughed at him and made fun of him.

When the time came, water gushed out from the earth and heavy rain fell from the sky. Nuh boarded the ark with the believers and a pair of every kind of animal. The flood drowned everyone who had disbelieved, as the waters covered the land.

Nuh had a son who refused to board the ark. Nuh called him to come aboard, but he replied that he would climb a mountain to escape the flood. Nuh said, “Today, there is no protection from Allah’s command,” and his son drowned with the rest of the disbelievers.

After everyone outside the ark had perished, Allah commanded the earth to swallow its water and the sky to stop raining. The ark came to rest on Mount al-Judi, and the believers began a new life.

Nuh prayed to Allah to forgive him, his parents, and every believing man and woman. Allah praised Nuh in the Quran and counted him among the patient and grateful.

Ibrahim  عليه السلام

The 6th one in the previous list of all prophets names in Islam is Ibrahim The “Khalil of Allah” In recognition of his pure love for Allah without flaw. He (peace be upon him) was born during the reign of King Nimrod. 

Ibrahim began reflecting on creation and said that this universe must surely have a Creator. When he reflected on a star, on the shining moon and also on the radiant sun — greater in size and brightness — but he saw them all  set, he declared: “I do not love those that set.” He realized that true guidance comes from Allah alone and declared himself free from the religion of his people.

The people of Ibrahim were worshipping idols. Ibrahim’s own father, Azar, was an idol-maker. Despite this, Ibrahim sincerely advised his father and his people not to take the idols as gods.They insisted on their false beliefs. 

His people had a festival and left their homes and temples to celebrate. Ibrahim then destroyed all the idols except the largest one, around which he placed the axe.

When the people returned and saw what had happened to their gods, they asked who had done this. Some said they heard Ibrahim speak against them. When they questioned him, he said, “Rather, this one — the biggest of them — did it,” as a way to establish the argument against them. 

When the people came to know the truth — that the idols could neither benefit nor harm. They conspired together to burn Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in the fire. So when Ibrahim was brought into the flames, it is reported that Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be upon him, came to him and asked, “Do you have any need?” Ibrahim replied, “From you? No.” Then he said his famous words: Hasbi Allah wa ni‘ma al-wakeel — Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs.

At that moment, the command came from the Almighty Lord: O fire, be coolness and safety for Ibrahim. He remained in the fire, enjoying Allah’s protection, unharmed and in comfort. His provisions would come to him during those days until the fire was extinguished. He emerged from it without any harm, and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

Isma’il (Ishmael) عليه السلام 

Among the list of all prophets names in Islam we can note The son of Ibrahim . Revelation came to Ibrahim in a dream, commanding him to sacrifice his son Isma’il. When he told his son about that, Isma’il replied, “O my father, do as you are commanded.” As they both submitted to Allah’s command and were about to carry it out, Allah ransomed Isma’il with a great sacrifice. And from this originated the Sunnah of offering the sacrifice (Udhiyah) on Eid al-Adha, which we continue to practice to this day and will continue until the Day of Judgment.

Later, Allah commanded Ibrahim and his son Isma’il to raise the foundations of the Sacred House (Ka’bah), whose traces had been washed away by the Great Flood. They fulfilled this duty in the best manner.. Then Jibreel (Gabriel) descended and taught Ibrahim the rituals of Hajj, and Allah commanded him to proclaim the pilgrimage to mankind.

There are many stories behind All Prophets Names in Islam. Follow along with us in the upcoming paragraphs.

Who Were the Ulul Azm Prophets?

Among all prophets names in Islam, five are given a special title: Ulul Azm – “those of strong determination”. The reason they were given this title is due to their exceptional determination in calling others to Allah, their patience in enduring severe harm for His sake, and their steadfastness in standing firm against falsehood:

1. Nuh عليه السلام 
2. Ibrahim عليه السلام 
3. Musa عليه السلام 
4. Isa عليه السلام 
5. Muhammad ﷺ

Understanding the Ulul Azm among all prophets names in Islam teaches us resilience, leadership, and deep faith in Allah’s plan. Let us take a closer look at Moses (Musa) 

Musa عليه السلام

Now, from the list of all prophets names in Islam we can find The most frequently mentioned prophet in the Qur’an, known as “Kalim Allah” (the one who spoke with Allah). He was born during the reign of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Pharaoh once saw in a dream, a fire coming from Jerusalem that consumed the Copts but spared the Children of Israel. When he consulted his priests, they told him that a boy would be born in that land who would cause the downfall of Egypt. So he ordered that every male child born to the Israelites be killed.

When Moses was born, Allah inspired  his mother to place him in a wooden box. She tied it with a rope—her house was near the Nile—and she would nurse him. Whenever she feared for his safety, place him in the box and let it float on the river while holding the rope’s end. Once the danger had passed, she would pull him back.

One day, she forgot to tie the rope, and the box drifted away with the river until it reached Pharaoh’s palace. Pharaoh’s family found it. Allah cast love for Moses into the heart of Asiyah, Pharaoh’s wife. When Pharaoh wanted to kill him, she said: “He may benefit us, or we may adopt him as a son.” 

They looked for a wet nurse but couldn’t find anyone to feed him until his sister approached and suggested their mother, not revealing her identity.

Allah honored Moses, beginning his prophethood and spoke to him and commissioned him and his brother Harun (Aaron) to go to Pharaoh and call him to Allah. Pharaoh chased after Moses and his people.

Moses instructed his people to seek Allah’s help and be patient. Eventually, they reached the sea. Moses’ people cried out, “We are surely overtaken!” But Allah commanded Moses to strike the sea with his staff, and it parted, forming massive walls of water on both sides. Moses and his people crossed safely. Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them, but Allah caused the sea to collapse on them, drowning them all.

We have not mentioned the stories of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad ﷺ, not out of neglect but because he is the noblest and greatest of all creation and the space here is not sufficient to encompass his countless virtues.

You will, God willing, find detailed and in-depth information about him in Seerah sessions: Know Your Prophet (Attributes & Seerah of Prophet Muhammad PBUH)

Why Knowing the Prophets Helps Build Stronger Faith

Studying all Prophets Names in Islam and their stories isn’t just about learning facts. It’s a special kind of spiritual path. Here’s how it helps build our faith:

• It helps us trust in Allah more.
• The prophets faced a lot of hardship, loss, and even rejection, but they never stopped believing or giving up.
• They taught us patience in calling people to the truth, Staying firm on the truth, even if few follow, Allah’s punishment is real for those who disbelieve and Faith cannot be inherited (even Nuh’s own son was not saved).
• It shows us important values like honesty, kindness, courage, and trust in Allah.
• It also helps us feel connected to the larger Muslim community.

How Ulum Al-Azhar Academy Teaches Prophet Stories to Children

Institutions like Ulum Al-Azhar Academy help young kids learn about the stories of  all prophets names in Islam. They use storytelling, pictures, and fun activities to teach children about:

– The good lessons and values each prophet shared

– The miracles that happened by Allah’s power

– How to use the lessons from the prophets in their everyday lives: For example, the story of Yunus teaches about true repentance, and the story of Yusuf teaches about being patient and forgiving.

Online Islamic Studies for Kids is your kid’s guide to learn all about Islamic Studies Led by expert teachers from Al-Azhar Al-Shariff.

Conclusion

Believing in all prophets names in Islam is a key part of our faith. Allah sent them as a kind act to help guide people, warn them about bad things, and bring hope during dark times. Whether it’s the bravery of Ibrahim, the strong leadership of Musa, or the deep kindness of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, their stories teach us important lessons that are still relevant today.

Offering a free consultation with Al-Azhar-certified Sheikhs from Egypt to help you begin personalized Islamic learning.

FAQs

How many prophets are there in Islam?

according to the list of all prophets names in Islam,  there were around 124,000 prophets,  but only 25 are mentioned by name in the Qur’an.

Why is belief in all prophets names in Islam important?

It’s part of the six pillars of faith. Denying even one prophet is a denial of the message of Islam.

Do all prophets have certain characteristics?
Yes, all of them:

• Chosen by Allah
• Receives revelation (Wahy)
• Demonstrates truthfulness and moral integrity
• Guides their people toward monotheism and righteousness