Muslims hear about a handful of the 25 prophets named in the quran, but few could name them in order, and few can explain why these were the ones that Allah named. This guide lists all of them, in chronological order, and distinguishes a prophet from a messenger and includes some lesser-known names that are not mentioned in the quick lists.
How Many Prophets Are Mentioned by Name in the Quran?
The list of the Quran’s 25 prophets ranges from Adam to Muhammad ﷺ, but the number of prophet messengers that Allah sent is said to be much greater than that. This number is based on cross-checking all surahs containing the name of a prophet and eliminating duplications, which is the standard way to arrive at this number for anyone researching the 25 prophets named in the quran today.
What Is the Difference Between a Prophet and a Messenger in Islam?
All Messengers (Rasul) are Prophets (Nabi), but not all Prophets are Messengers (Rasul). A prophet leads people by an already existing law, a messenger brings a new scripture/commandment to his community. There are 25 prophets named in the quran, of which fewer prophets are given this heavier responsibility, including Nuh, Musa, and Muhammad as the s.a.w.
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The 25 Prophets Named in the Quran: Complete List:
Here is the complete list of the 25 prophets named in the Quran, using their most common English names:
- Adam
- Idris (Enoch)
- 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)
- Sulaiman (Solomon)
- Ilyas (Elijah)
- Al-Yasa (Elisha)
- Yunus (Jonah)
- Zakariya (Zechariah)
- Yahya (John)
- Isa (Jesus)
- Muhammad ﷺ
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The 25 Prophets in Islam in Chronological Order:
The length of time has been divided into three periods: the period of the early prophets from Adam to Salih, the period of Ibrahim’s offspring (Ismail and Ishaq), and the last period ending with Muhammad ﷺ. Ishaq’s line gave birth to most of the prophets sent to the Children of Israel; Ismail’s line gave birth to Muhammad ﷺ, the person who closed the chapter on the 25 prophets mentioned in the Quran.
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The 18 Prophets Mentioned Together in Surah Al-An’am:
In Surah Al-An’am 6:83-86, the Quran lists 18 prophets in a single place, the greatest number of prophets grouped together anywhere in the Quran. The names of prophets and messengers in Islam are Ibrahim, Ishaq, Yaqub, Nuh, Dawud, Sulaiman, Ayyub, Yusuf, Musa, Harun, Zakariya, Yahya, Isa, Ilyas, Ismail, Al-Yasa, Yunus, and Lut.
The 7 Prophets Named Outside Surah Al-An’am:
The other seven prophets mentioned in other surahs than the Al-An’am quote are Adam, Idris, Hud, Salih, Shu’ayb, Dhul-Kifl, and Muhammad (saws). These seven prophets, along with Al-An’am, make up the complete list of 25 prophets alluded to in the Quran.
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The Names of the 25 Prophets in Arabic and English:
Below are the names of all the prophets of Allah in Arabic alongside their common English spellings, useful for comparing translations.
| Arabic | English |
|---|---|
| آدم | Adam |
| إدريس | Idris |
| نوح | Nuh (Noah) |
| هود | Hud |
| صالح | Salih |
| إبراهيم | Ibrahim (Abraham) |
| لوط | Lut (Lot) |
| إسماعيل | Ismail (Ishmael) |
| إسحاق | Ishaq (Isaac) |
| يعقوب | Yaqub (Jacob) |
| يوسف | Yusuf (Joseph) |
| أيوب | Ayyub (Job) |
| شعيب | Shu’ayb |
| موسى | Musa (Moses) |
| هارون | Harun (Aaron) |
| ذو الكفل | Dhul-Kifl |
| داود | Dawud (David) |
| سليمان | Sulaiman (Solomon) |
| إلياس | Ilyas (Elijah) |
| اليسع | Al-Yasa (Elisha) |
| يونس | Yunus (Jonah) |
| زكريا | Zakariya (Zechariah) |
| يحيى | Yahya (John) |
| عيسى | Isa (Jesus) |
| محمد ﷺ | Muhammad ﷺ |
Which Prophet Is Mentioned Most Often in the Quran?
Prophet Musa (Moses) has the highest number of references in the Quran of all the prophets, and is mentioned in dozens of surahs. This is because his story spans almost all that a prophet can encounter rejection, confrontation by a tyrant and years in hardship with his community.
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The Stories and Missions of the 25 Prophets in Islam
Although the stories of these 25 prophets are distinctly different from one another, each of them had the same core mission: to call people to worship Allah alone.
Among the 25 prophets mentioned in the Qur’ān, there are common threads. 25 Prophets mentioned in the Qur’ān, there are common threads.
- Nuh preached for centuries before the flood and then built an ark.
- Ibrahim was saved from being thrown into the fire because he refused to bow down to idols.
- Musa faced a tyrant and helped his people to escape.
- Isa was given healing by God.
- Prophethood was completed for Muhammad (saws) and the Quran was revealed to him.
Ulul-Azm: The Five Greatest Messengers in the Quran:
The five Ulul-Azm are the messengers who are more resolute than all the prophets, and they are Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad (s), according to Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:35). They both had suffered tremendous adversity, from flood to tyranny to persecution, but neither had faltered. These five prophets have the most theological significance out of the 25 prophets mentioned in the Quran.
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The Tree of the Prophets from Adam to Muhammad:
According to Islamic tradition, prophethood has been a continuous stream from Adam, the first prophet, to Muhammad (saws) as the last one. The 25 prophets mentioned in the Quran are almost all related to Ibrahim, who had two sons, Ismail and Ishaq, with whom all the later prophets are related.
Who Is Dhul-Kifl? The Lesser-Known Prophet Named in the Quran
Dhul-Kifl is one of the 25 prophets named in the quran, and he is only mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:85-86) and Surah Sad (38:48) in both cases, he is praised for his patience. The Quran places him among the patient and righteous, along with Ismail and Idris, but scholars differ about what his identity is.
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Why Did Allah Mention These 25 Prophets by Name in the Quran?
Allah named these people so that the Muslim community would have role models and not mere lessons. The other 25 prophets named in the Quran are also named, which ties Islam to the previous prophet and community, the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel. This continuity is an indicator of the message itself, that it did not change, just the messengers.
What Does the Quran Say About Prophets Who Were Not Named?
The Quran states that Allah sent messengers beyond the 25 prophets named in the Quran, including many whose stories were never revealed. Surah An-Nisa (4:164) says some messengers were mentioned and others were not a sign that prophethood was far more widespread than the named list alone suggests.
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Learn the 25 Prophets Named in the Quran
A reliable understanding of the 25 prophets named in the Quran should begin with the Quran and be supported by qualified Islamic scholarship. At Mubarak Academy, experienced teachers guide students through Aqeedah, Seerah, Quranic studies, and Islamic history using structured lessons and age-appropriate explanations. Students can ask questions, study relevant Quranic passages, and develop a clearer understanding of the prophets and their missions through guided learning.
Explore the stories, missions, and lessons of the 25 prophets named in the Quran with structured guidance from qualified Islamic teachers. Join Mubarak Academy for a free trial class and build a deeper understanding of Islamic history, belief, and prophetic tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can new names ever be added to the list of 25 prophets?
No, the list of 25 prophets named in the Quran is fixed because these names are explicitly mentioned in the Quran. Muslims do not add or remove prophets from this named list, although Islam teaches that Allah sent many other messengers whose names remain unknown.
Is Muhammad ﷺ the last of the 25 prophets named in the Quran?
Yes, Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet and messenger in Islam. He is the last of the 25 prophets named in the Quran and is described as the Seal of the Prophets. Muslims believe no prophet will come after him or receive new revelation.
Do Muslims need to believe in every one of the 25 prophets equally?
Yes, Muslims must believe in all prophets sent by Allah, including the 25 named in the Quran. Islam teaches respect for every prophet, while recognizing that Allah gave some prophets different missions, responsibilities, and levels of distinction throughout history.
Where can I find a reliable list of the names of prophets in Islam?
The Quran is the most authoritative source for the names of prophets in Islam. Surah Al-An’am contains 18 names together, while others appear elsewhere. Reliable Quran translations and recognized Islamic scholarship can help verify spellings, references, and historical context for further study.
Ustadh Ahmed Mahmoud Abdulaziz is an experienced teacher of Arabic and the Holy Quran for native and non-native speakers. He holds a verified Ijazah in Hafs ‘an Asim and is certified in the foundational Tajweed texts Al-Jazariyyah and Tuhfat Al-Atfal. Drawing on his extensive background in traditional Quranic recitation and international pedagogy, he writes scholar-verified, accessible articles to help students worldwide master Tajweed rules and Arabic linguistics safely and accurately.
