Belief in the prophets is one of the six articles of faith, explained in our guide to belief in the prophets and the other articles. Muslims believe the prophets shared the same core message, to worship one God and live righteously, and they honour every one of them. This page explains what a prophet is, how many there were, and the names of the 25 named in the Qur'an in their traditional order.
The prophets are mentioned throughout the Qur'an rather than in a single list. Muslims read about them for guidance on patience, trust in Allah, honesty and care for others, and many children grow up learning their names before they learn much else about their faith.
What Is a Prophet in Islam?
In Islam, a prophet (nabi) is a human being chosen by Allah to receive revelation and to guide people. Prophets were not divine. They lived human lives, with families, work and hardship, and their role was to teach people about Allah and to set an example of faith and good character.
Muslims believe the prophets came to different peoples at different times, and that they all called to the same basic truth: tawhid, the Oneness of God. Muhammad ﷺ is understood to have been sent to all of humanity rather than to one people.
Some prophets were given scriptures. The Qur'an names the Torah given to Musa, the Zabur given to Dawud, the Injil given to Isa, and the Qur'an itself, revealed to Muhammad ﷺ.
Some prophets are also called messengers (rasul). Many scholars explain that every messenger is a prophet, but not every prophet was sent with a message for a people. Scholars discuss the details. Related terms, such as risalah (prophethood) and wahy (revelation), are explained in our glossary.
How Many Prophets Are There in Islam?
The Qur'an names 25 prophets and does not give a total number. It also mentions other messengers whose stories are not told (Qur'an 4:164). Some reports give a much larger total, such as 124,000 prophets, but scholars differ on how strong those reports are.
What Muslims hold in common is that Allah sent guidance to every people, and that the 25 prophets named in the Qur'an are known by name. Muslims believe in all of them, as well as in the prophets whose names are not known.
The 25 Prophets Named in the Qur'an
This is the traditional order. The Qur'an does not give a full timeline, and scholars differ on the exact order and dates.
| No. | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam | Father of humankind and the first prophet in Islamic belief |
| 2 | Idris | An early prophet, praised in the Qur'an for his truthfulness |
| 3 | Nuh | Built the ark |
| 4 | Hud | Sent to the people of 'Ad |
| 5 | Salih | Sent to the people of Thamud |
| 6 | Ibrahim | Built the Ka'bah with his son Isma'il; remembered each year at Eid al-Adha |
| 7 | Lut | Called his people to give up their wrongdoing |
| 8 | Isma'il | Son of Ibrahim |
| 9 | Ishaq | Son of Ibrahim |
| 10 | Ya'qub | Father of Yusuf |
| 11 | Yusuf | His story is told in Surah Yusuf |
| 12 | Shu'ayb | Sent to Madyan |
| 13 | Ayyub | Known for his patience |
| 14 | Musa | Received the Torah (Tawrat) |
| 15 | Harun | Brother of Musa, who supported his mission |
| 16 | Dhul-Kifl | Mentioned briefly in the Qur'an; scholars differ on some details |
| 17 | Dawud | Received the Zabur |
| 18 | Sulayman | Son of Dawud, known for his wisdom |
| 19 | Ilyas | Called his people away from idol worship |
| 20 | Al-Yasa | Named in the Qur'an among the righteous |
| 21 | Yunus | Surah Yunus is named after him |
| 22 | Zakariyya | Guardian of Maryam and father of Yahya |
| 23 | Yahya | Son of Zakariyya |
| 24 | Isa | Born to Maryam; received the Injil |
| 25 | Muhammad ﷺ | The last prophet; received the Qur'an |
Several surahs of the Qur'an are named after prophets, including Surah Nuh, Surah Hud, Surah Ibrahim, Surah Yusuf, Surah Yunus and Surah Muhammad.
Many Muslim names come from the prophets. You can browse Islamic names and their meanings.
Muhammad ﷺ, the Last Prophet
Muslims believe Muhammad ﷺ is the last prophet, described in the Qur'an as the Seal of the Prophets (Qur'an 33:40). He received the Qur'an, and Muslims believe no prophet comes after him. His teaching and example, the Sunnah, show Muslims how to live out their faith, from the five pillars to everyday good character. Declaring that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah is the second part of the shahada, the declaration of faith.
He was born in Makkah and later moved to Madinah, where the Muslim community grew. Muslims love and respect him deeply, send blessings on him when his name is mentioned, and try to follow his example in prayer, family life, honesty and kindness to others.
What Do Muslims Say After a Prophet's Name?
Muslims say “peace be upon him” after the name of a prophet. After the name of Muhammad, they say “peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”, often written as ﷺ.
Prophets in Islam FAQ
How many prophets are there in Islam?
The Qur'an names 25 prophets but does not give a total. It says Allah sent other messengers whose stories are not told, and Muslims believe every people received guidance. Some reports mention a much larger number, such as 124,000, but scholars differ on how strong those reports are. The 25 named prophets are listed in the table above.
Who was the first prophet?
Muslims believe Adam was the first human being and the first prophet. He is the first of the 25 prophets named in the Qur'an and is often called the father of humankind. Many Muslims see his story as a reminder that people make mistakes and that Allah accepts sincere repentance. The table above lists the prophets who came after him.
Who was the last prophet?
Muhammad ﷺ is the last prophet in Islam. The Qur'an calls him the Seal of the Prophets (Qur'an 33:40), and Muslims believe no prophet comes after him. He was born in Makkah and received the Qur'an through revelation. His teaching and example, known as the Sunnah, continue to guide Muslims in worship and in everyday life.
Do Muslims believe in all the prophets?
Yes. Belief in all the prophets Allah sent is one of the six articles of faith. Muslims believe the prophets shared the same core message, to worship Allah alone, and they respect every one of them, including those named in the Qur'an and those whose names are not known. Many Muslims say “peace be upon him” whenever a prophet is mentioned.
Do Muslims honour Isa (Jesus)?
Yes. Muslims honour Isa as a prophet and messenger of Allah, born to Maryam, and do not believe he was divine. He is one of the 25 prophets named in the Qur'an, and his mother Maryam is also deeply respected in Islam. Like the other prophets, Isa is mentioned with respect, and Muslims say “peace be upon him” after his name.
For other questions, read our answers to common questions about Islam.
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This page is a general guide. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar.
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