Prophet Idris (A.S.) (Enoch): The Prophet of Astronomy, Mathematics, and Medicine

The story of the Prophet and Messenger Idris (Enoch)

Prophet Idris (A.S.) (Enoch) was born during the lifetime of Adam (A.S.) and lived for 120 years with him. He then lived the rest of his life during the lifetime of Sheeth (A.S.) (Seth).

Prophet Idris (A.S.) is also known as Akhnukh. His lineage is as follows:

· Idris son of Yarid son of Mahlaeel son of Qinan son of Anoush son of Prophet Sheeth (Seth) (A.S.) son of Prophet Adam (A.S.)

In the two verses in the Quran that mention Idris (AS), Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a Prophet and truthful

1- (57) وَاذْكُرْ فِى الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا (56) وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا

مريم: 56 -57

And mention in the Book, Idrees. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet, And We raised him to a high position (verses 56 and 57 of Surah Maryam)

2- وَاِسْمٰعِيْلَ وَاِدْرِيْسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِۗ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصّٰبِرِيْنَ ۙ ( الأنبياء: ٨٥)

And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient (Verse 85 of Surah Al Anbiya)

First War in the World

After the death of Sheeth (AS), the people of Qabil (Cain) lost guidance, and sin and corruption spread rapidly. Idris (AS) was unable to bear watching his own people fall prey to the tricks and influence of Shaytaan. So, Allah instructed Idris (AS) to launch a holy war against the corrupt followers of Qabil (Cain).

Idris (AS) gathered an army of men and engaged in battle against the corruptors. His army emerged victorious, and Idris (AS) was able to restore righteousness to his people.

The Education of the Prophet Idris

Idris (peace be upon him) is said to have spoken seventy-two languages, which he used to communicate with the people to whom he was sent. He is also said to have learned and taught the sciences to his people, and he was wisdom and know knowledge of the stars. God Almighty granted him an understanding of the secrets of the stars and their locations and taught him astronomy, mathematics, the number of years, and methods of calculation. Idris was also the first to understand the science of medicine, to warn of the approaching flood, and to draw up the rules for urbanizing cities.

The place of death of Prophet Idris

God Almighty describes the status and attributes of Idris (peace be upon him) in the Quran: "And mention in the Book Idris. Indeed, he was a truthful and a prophet. And We raised him to a high position." (19:56–57)

Scholars have two interpretations of the "high position" to which Idris was raised. The first interpretation is that it is a moral elevation, meaning that God Almighty raised Idris to a high status among the people in this world and in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection. This interpretation is based on the understanding that the honor of prophecy is the highest honor.

The second interpretation is that the "high position" is a physical elevation, meaning that God Almighty raised Idris with his body to heaven and that he never died on earth. This interpretation is based on some Israelite accounts, whose authenticity has not been definitively proven. Some scholars have reported these accounts as they came, and the summary of these sayings is that the angel of death took Idris's soul to heaven, either in the sixth or fourth heaven. This is the same heaven where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw Idris during his Isra and Mi'raj journey.