The Story of Enoch (Idris)(Peace be upon him)

Idres (Arabic: إدريس, romanized: ʾIdrīs) is an ancient prophet mentioned in the Quran, whom Muslims believe was the third prophet after Seth (the third son of Adam and Eve + brother of Cain and Abel).

He is the second prophet mentioned in the Quran. Islamic tradition has unanimously identified Idris with the biblical Enoch, although many Muslim scholars of the classical and medieval periods also held that Idris and Hermes Trismegistus were the same person

He is described in the Quran as “trustworthy” and “patient” and the Quran also says that he was “exalted to a high station”. Because of this and other parallels, traditionally Idris has been identified with the biblical Enoch, and Islamic tradition usually places Idris in the early Generations of Adam, and considers him one of the oldest prophets mentioned in the Quran, placing him between Adam and Noah.

According to hadith, narrated by Malik ibn Anas and found in Sahih Muslim, it is said that on Muhammad’s (Peace be upon him) Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj) , he encountered Idris in the fourth heaven.

By Ibn Kathir

Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a prophet and truthful: Mention in the Book (Quran) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth (and) a prophet. We raised him to a high station. (Ch 19:56-57 Quran).

 

Enoch was born and raised in Babylon following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam (Peace be upon him) and his son Seth (Peace be upon him). Enoch was the 5th generation of the Prophet Adam. He called the people back to his forefathers religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned away.

 

Prophet Enoch and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.

 

He was the first of the Children of Adam to be given prophethood after Adam and Seth (peace upon them). It is reported that he was the 1st to invent the basic form of writing. Some of his wise sayings 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.