How Many Prophets Are Mentioned in the Quran?
The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name. Islamic tradition holds that Allah sent about 124,000 prophets in all, of whom roughly 313 were messengers (rusul). The 25 named in the Quran stand as universal examples for people of every time and place.
Key Takeaways
- 25 prophets are named in the Quran.
- The total number of prophets is traditionally given as 124,000.
- About 313 of them were messengers (rusul), based on a well-known narration.
- The five greatest prophets (Ulul Azm) are Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad.
- Prophet Musa is mentioned the most, around 136 times.
- Every prophet carried the same core message, the oneness of Allah (tawhid).
How Many Prophets Are Mentioned in the Quran by Name?
The Quran names 25 prophets. It also makes clear that many more were sent whose stories were not all related, telling the Prophet that of the messengers, some were mentioned to him and some were not. Studying their lives is one of the most rewarding parts of any Tafsir and Quran study course.
The Complete List of 25 Prophets in the Quran
| # | Prophet |
|---|---|
| 1 | Adam |
| 2 | Idris |
| 3 | Nuh |
| 4 | Hud |
| 5 | Salih |
| 6 | Ibrahim |
| 7 | Lut |
| 8 | Ismail |
| 9 | Ishaq |
| 10 | Yaqub |
| 11 | Yusuf |
| 12 | Shuayb |
| 13 | Ayyub |
| 14 | Dhul-Kifl |
| 15 | Musa |
| 16 | Harun |
| 17 | Dawud |
| 18 | Sulayman |
| 19 | Ilyas |
| 20 | Al-Yasa |
| 21 | Yunus |
| 22 | Zakariya |
| 23 | Yahya |
| 24 | Isa |
| 25 | Muhammad |
Who Are the Ulul Azm (Five Greatest Prophets)?
Five prophets are honoured as Ulul Azm, the ones of strong resolve: Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). Each one faced great trials and brought a major message or scripture that shaped the course of faith.
Nabi vs Rasul: What Is the Difference?
A nabi (prophet) guides people according to the message already revealed. A rasul (messenger) is given a new code or scripture to deliver. So every rasul is a nabi, but not every nabi is a rasul.
How Many Prophets Are There in Total?
A widely cited narration from the companion Abu Dharr gives the total as 124,000 prophets, with about 313 messengers among them, though some narrations report 315. The Quran names only 25 because their stories carry clear lessons for all generations.
Quick Facts About the Prophets in the Quran
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Prophets named in the Quran | 25 |
| Total prophets (tradition) | 124,000 |
| Messengers (rusul) | About 313 |
| Most mentioned prophet | Musa, around 136 times |
| First prophet | Adam |
| Final prophet | Muhammad (PBUH) |
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Book a Free Trial ClassFrequently Asked Questions
How many prophets are mentioned in the Quran?
25 prophets are mentioned by name.
How many prophets are there in total in Islam?
Tradition gives the number as 124,000, with about 313 messengers.
Which prophet is mentioned most in the Quran?
Prophet Musa (Moses), around 136 times.
Who was the first and last prophet?
Adam was the first prophet, and Muhammad (PBUH) is the last.
Who are the Ulul Azm prophets?
Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).
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