The Ascender to the Heavens
Prophet Idris (AS), also known as Enoch is one of the earliest prophets of Allah. He has an exclusive role in the Islamic lifestyle as someone of tremendous wisdom, piety, and faithfulness. There is even Allah’s special regard for Idris (AS), having raised him [the Prophet] to the heavens, according to the Quran. The few verses in the Quran that mention him are augmented in Islamic tradition and hadiths to depict him as a model of perseverance, knowledge, and piety.
Lineage and Early Life
Prophet Idris (A.S) was born a few generations after the birth of Prophet Adam (A.S) and in fact, according to some historians he is the great grandson of Adam (A.S) through the line of son Seth (Sheeth A.S) He was born in Babylon, the land of corruption and idolatry. Idris (as) was raised witnessing the moral degradation of his people which saddened him greatly. He was wise, devoted to Allah, and possessed a strong sense of justice from an early age.
The name Idris comes from the Arabic root d-r-s, which means “to study,” symbolic to the belief that he was a man of profound learning and reflection. Some of the divine gifts bestowed upon Idris (AS) included writing, astronomy, and tailoring.
Prophethood and Divine Mission
Thus Allah sent Idris (AS) as a prophet to direct his people back to the worship of the One God and the path of righteousness. He invited them to worship Allah alone, reject idolatry, and live righteous lives. Idris (AS) is also referred to briefly in the Quran, where it states:
“And mention in the Book, Idris. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet. And We raised him to a high station.”
(Surah Maryam, 19:56-57)
Idris (AS) was a man of great truth and deep spirituality. He called upon his people to forsake their sinful ways, beseeching justice, righteousness, and answerability before Allah. Many of his admonitions fell on deaf ears, which is a common thread in the stories of prophets.
Contributions and Wisdom
In Islam, Prophet Idris (AS) is said to have given many gifts to civilization. Among those, there are:
- Idris (AS) was one of the first to be writing to save knowledge. He brought literacy, that allowed wisdom and law to be written down.
- He was the first man to study stars and learn them well, this way he was an expert in astronomy and mathematics.
- Idris (AS) was also the first person who stitched his clothes, according to hadith. People wore simple animal hides before he came.
- Idris (AS) called his people to repent and believe in Allah, practice justice, and uphold the moral ethical code of conduct as defined in the holy scriptures.
Elevation to the Heavens
One of the most remarkable aspects of Prophet Idris’s (AS) life is his ascension to the heavens. The Quran states:
“And We raised him to a high station.”
(Surah Maryam, 19:57)
Islamic tradition states that Idris (AS) was raised by the angels to the seventh heaven where he encountered the Angel of Death. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also met Idris (AS) on his Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj) when he passed by the fourth heaven.
“When I was taken up to the heavens, I met Idris in the fourth heaven.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
In some traditions, it is said that he was elevated to this rank in reward for his good deeds, while in others, it is reported that he was caught up to escape the corruption and rejection in his people. His exaltation signals his nearness to Allah, as well as his supreme rank in the spiritual realm.
Legacy and Lessons
Prophet Idris (AS) became a symbol of knowledge, patience, and submission to Allah. His life has several key lessons.
- Pursuit of Knowledge: One of the most important aspects of Idris (AS) was his pioneering in seeking knowledge and wisdom, as he taught that in the context of seeking knowledge (for the sake of Allah), this becomes a type of worship.
- Righteousness in Adversity: Despite the corrupt nature of his society, Idris (AS) still held firm to his mission of preaching, teaching, and the importance of implicit faith in his soul.
- Divine Rewards for Piety: Idris’s (AS) ascension to the heavens is a symbol of the rewards that await those who devote their lives to the servitude of Allah.
The Quran commemorates Idris (AS) as a man of exceptional truthfulness and righteousness, a role model for all believers.
Idris (AS) in the Quran and Hadith
Though the Quran mentions Idris (AS) briefly, his name is included among the righteous prophets:
“And Ishmael and Idris and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient. And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:85-86)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) further emphasized the status of Idris (AS) during his journey through the heavens, highlighting his exceptional rank among the prophets.
Conclusion
Prophet Idris (AS) was a man of the best wisdom, devotion, and righteousness. His rise to the skies reaffirms the promise Allah made to those who dedicate their lives to His service. So Allah gives us a lifetime of lessons. The lessons we learn from the life of Idris (AS) are that we should strive to be close to Allah, through knowledge, righteous actions, and unshakeable belief.
