The Holy Quran, the final revelation of Allah (God), serves not only as a book of law and guidance but also as a profound historical record, detailing the lives and missions of numerous divine envoys. For Muslims, believing in all the Prophets and Messengers (Rusul) of Allah is a core tenet, forming the fourth of the Six Pillars of Faith (Arkan al-Iman).
While the total number of Prophets and Messengers sent throughout history is vast (traditions suggest over 124,000 Prophets and 313 Messengers), the Quran selectively names and details the missions of only a fraction of them. Understanding which prophets are mentioned by name is essential for appreciating the Quran’s narrative flow and the universality of its monotheistic message (Tauhid).
This extremely detailed guide will identify the exact number of prophets mentioned by name in the Quran.
Twenty-Five Prophets Mentioned in the Quran
Based on meticulous counting and consensus among classical Islamic scholars, exactly 25 Prophets and Messengers are mentioned by name throughout the Holy Quran.
These figures represent the key links in the chain of prophecy (Silsilah al-Risalah), spanning from the first man, Adam, to the final Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
List of the 25 Prophets Mentioned by Name in the Quran
The following list identifies the 25 Prophets and Messengers mentioned in the Quran, organized chronologically where possible, and citing the chapter where their name appears:
| Arabic Name | English Name | Status (Nabi/Rasul) | Primary Quranic Mention (Examples) |
| آدَم | Adam | Nabi | Surah Al-Baqarah (2:31) |
| إِدْرِيس | Idris (Enoch) | Nabi | Surah Maryam (19:56) |
| نُوح | Nuh (Noah) | Rasul & Ulul Azm | Surah Nuh (71:1) |
| هُود | Hud | Rasul | Surah Hud (11:50) |
| صَالِح | Salih | Rasul | Surah Hud (11:61) |
| إِبْرَاهِيم | Ibrahim (Abraham) | Rasul & Ulul Azm | Surah Ibrahim (14:1) |
| لُوط | Lut (Lot) | Nabi & Rasul | Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26:161) |
| إِسْمَاعِيل | Ismail (Ishmael) | Nabi & Rasul | Surah Al-Baqarah (2:125) |
| إِسْحَاق | Ishaq (Isaac) | Nabi | Surah Hud (11:71) |
| يَعْقُوب | Yaqub (Jacob) | Nabi | Surah Yusuf (12:6) |
| يُوسُف | Yusuf (Joseph) | Nabi | Surah Yusuf (12:4) |
| أَيُّوب | Ayyub (Job) | Nabi | Surah Sad (38:41) |
| شُعَيْب | Shuayb (Jethro) | Rasul | Surah Hud (11:84) |
| مُوسَى | Musa (Moses) | Rasul & Ulul Azm | Surah Taha (20:9) |
| هَارُون | Harun (Aaron) | Nabi | Surah Taha (20:30) |
| ذُو الْكِفْل | Dhul-Kifl (Ezekiel/Isaiah) | Nabi | Surah Al-Anbiya (21:85) |
| دَاوُود | Dawud (David) | Nabi | Surah Sad (38:17) |
| سُلَيْمَان | Sulayman (Solomon) | Nabi | Surah Sad (38:30) |
| إِلْيَاس | Ilyas (Elijah) | Nabi | Surah As-Saffat (37:123) |
| الْيَسَع | Al-Yasa (Elisha) | Nabi | Surah Sad (38:48) |
| يُونُس | Yunus (Jonah) | Nabi & Rasul | Surah Yunus (10:98) |
| زَكَرِيَّا | Zakariyya (Zechariah) | Nabi | Surah Ali Imran (3:38) |
| يَحْيَى | Yahya (John the Baptist) | Nabi | Surah Maryam (19:7) |
| عِيسَى | Isa (Jesus) | Rasul & Ulul Azm | Surah Ali Imran (3:45) |
| مُحَمَّد | Muhammad | Rasul & Ulul Azm | Surah Muhammad (47:2) |
The Quranic Affirmation
The core theological reason for listing these prophets is to establish the unwavering principle that Allah’s message is universal and consistent across all time. Muslims are commanded to believe in all of Allah’s Messengers, without distinction.
The Commandment of Faith
This pillar of faith is beautifully encapsulated in the final verses of Surah Al-Baqarah:
Arabic: لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا غُفْرَانَكَ رَبَّنَا وَإِلَيْكَ الْمَصِيرُ
Transliteration: La nufarriqu bayna ahadin min rusulihi wa qalu sami’na wa ata’na ghufranaka rabbana wa ilayka al-masir.
English Translation: “…We make no distinction between any of His messengers. And they say, ‘We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.'” – (Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:285, partial)
This verse confirms that a Muslim’s faith is only complete by accepting the validity and truth of every Messenger sent by Allah.
Group Mentions of Prophets
In several places, the Quran mentions groups of Prophets together, emphasizing the unity of their divine source.
Arabic: وَتِلْكَ حُجَّتُنَا آتَيْنَاهَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاءُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ * وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ كُلًّا هَدَيْنَا وَنُوحًا هَدَيْنَا مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِ دَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ * وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ * وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَيُونُسَ وَلُوطًا وَكُلًّا فَضَّلْنَا عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
Transliteration (Partial): …wa wahabna lahu Ishaqa wa Yaquba kullan hadayna wa Nuhan hadayna min qablu wa min dhurriyyatihi Dawuda wa Sulaymana wa Ayyuba wa Yusufa wa Musa wa Harun… wa Zakariyya wa Yahya wa Isa wa Ilyasa… wa Ismaila wa al-Yasa’a wa Yunusa wa Luta…
English Translation (Partial): “…And We gave to him [Ibrahim], Isaac and Jacob. All [of them] We guided. And Noah, We guided before; and among his descendants, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron… and Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias… and Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot. And all [of them] We preferred over the worlds.” – (Quran, Surah Al-An’am, 6:83-86)
This passage alone mentions 18 prophets by name, demonstrating the Quran’s powerful focus on the prophetic heritage.
The Question of the Total Number
While only 25 are named, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) confirmed that the total number of Prophets and Messengers is vastly larger.
Hadith Reference
In a well-known, though classified as weak (da’if) but widely cited, tradition, the Prophet was asked about the number of Prophets:
Arabic (Conceptual): أَرْبَعَةٌ وَعِشْرُونَ أَلْفًا نَبِيًّا وَثَلَاثُ مِائَةٍ وَثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ رَسُولًا
Transliteration (Conceptual): Arba’atun wa ‘ishruna alfa nabiyyan wa thalathu mi’atin wa thalathata ‘ashara rasulan.
English Translation (Conceptual): “[The total number of Prophets is] one hundred and twenty-four thousand Prophets, and three hundred and thirteen Messengers.” – (Source: Musnad Ahmad, Hadith of Abu Dharr, though classified as weak, the concept is widely accepted)
This Hadith confirms that the 25 mentioned in the Quran are simply the most important figures whose stories are necessary for establishing Islamic theology and jurisprudence.
Theological Significance of the 25
The Quran’s selective mention of the 25 Prophets holds profound significance:
A. Completeness of the Narrative
The prophets mentioned cover the entire spectrum of human experience: from the beginning of creation (Adam), great floods (Nuh), fire (Ibrahim), famine (Yusuf), tyranny (Musa), trials (Ayyub), and eventual victory (Muhammad). Their stories provide lessons (‘Ibra) on every aspect of human life.
B. Continuity of the Message (Tauhid)
The stories of the 25 Prophets consistently demonstrate that the core message delivered by every single one was Tauhid (monotheism)—the worship of the One God. Their lives refute the notion that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought a new religion; he merely confirmed the eternal religion of all Prophets.
C. Exemplars of Morality
Each Prophet serves as a perfect moral exemplar for Muslims. They teach lessons of patience (Sabr – Ayyub), trust in God (Ibrahim), wisdom and justice (Dawud and Sulayman), and resilience (Musa and Muhammad).
Conclusion
The fact that 25 Prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran is a testament to the unity of Islam’s historical and theological foundations. By commanding belief in all of them without distinction, the Quran establishes that Islam is the final and preserved version of the singular message of submission delivered by every Prophet and Messenger sent by Allah throughout history. The lives of these 25 figures provide a complete syllabus of faith, morality, and perseverance for the Muslim Ummah.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many Prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran?
Exactly 25 Prophets and Messengers are explicitly mentioned by name throughout the Holy Quran.
Is the Quran the only source for the total number of Prophets sent?
No, the Quran names 25, but Hadith traditions suggest the total number of Prophets (Anbiya) is over 124,000.
Which Prophet is mentioned most frequently in the Quran?
Prophet Musa (Moses) is mentioned most frequently, appearing in the Quran over 130 times.
Who was the first Prophet mentioned in the Quran?
Prophet Adam is the first Prophet and the first human being created by Allah.
Are Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Jesus mentioned by name in the Quran?
Yes, Prophet Muhammad is mentioned by name four times, and Prophet Isa (Jesus) is mentioned by name 25 times.
Why are only 25 Prophets named in the Quran if there were many more?
The 25 named prophets are the key figures whose stories and missions are essential for establishing the universality and core theology of Islam.
