Idris (a): Difference between revisions

In Islam, '''ʾIdris (a)''' is one of the [[prophet]]s (a) of [[God]]. The [[Qur'an]] considered him one of the greatest prophets (a) who reached a high position. Some [[exegete]]s of the Qur'an and [[Muslim]] historians considered him to be Enoch (the great-grandfather of [[Noah (a)]] in the [[Bible]]). According to Islamic narrations, Idris (a) was the first person who made clothes and used the pen for writing and studied astronomy and mathematics. His occupation was tailoring and [[Al-Sahla Mosque|al-Sahla Mosque]] was his house. There is a disagreement among exegetes and Islamic scholars about him being dead or alive.

About the cause of naming Idris, there are different opinions, including that he (a) was busy with teaching and scientific activities.<ref>Ibn Manẓūr, ''Lisān al-ʿArab'', vol. 4, p. 329. Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 6, p. 492.</ref> According to Tafsir of [['Ali b. Ibrahim al-Qummi]], [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]] says: "He was named Idris for he read and taught books a lot".<ref>Qummī, ''Tafsīr al-Qummī'', vol. 2, p. 609.</ref>{{enote|lesson, learning and teaching in Arabic all are brought from the root d-r-s ({{ia|درس}})}}

== Life ==

Some considered Memphis in [[Egypt]] the birthplace of Idris<ref>Zamakhsharī, ''Rabīʿ al-abrār wa nusūs al-akhbār'', vol. 1, p. 369-371.</ref> and some others said that he (a) was born in Babylon and became the prophet (a) two hundred years after Prophet [[Adam (a)]] and prior to his [[prophethood]], he studied before [[Shayth (a)]].<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''Tarjuma-yi tafsīr-i al-mīzān'', vol. 14, p. 95.</ref>

According to historical reports in Islamic books, Idris was the first person who did tailoring and put on clothes and until then, people put on skins of animals. He (s) was the first person who used the pen for writing and studied astronomy and mathematics;<ref>Shahristānī, ''al-Milal wa l-niḥal'', vol. 2, p. 353; Masʿūdī, ''Murūj al-dhahab'', vol. 1, p. 43.</ref> so, Idris (a) is considered the first teacher of the human being and they attribute the principles of every science to him. Thus, human beings are indebted to him in astronomy, geometry, philosophy, mathematics, and logic.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''Tarjuma-yi tafsīr-i al-mīzān'', vol. 14, p. 72.</ref>

== In the Qur'an ==

The glorious [[Qur'an]] has mentioned his name twice in [[Quran 19]] and [[Quran 21]] and considers him a truthful, patient and righteous prophet at a high position and mentions that he (a) entered the divine mercy.

In Qur'an, 6:58 and Qur'an, 37:123 in which [[Ilyas (a)]] is mentioned, some exegetes believe that Ilyas (a) is actually Idris and have mentioned the characteristics and stories about Idris in their comments for these verses for Ilyas.<ref>Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 4, p. 510.</ref> Some have recited "'Peace be to Ilyas!'"<ref>Qurʾān, 37:130.</ref> (37:130) as "peace be to Idris".

However, it seems that Ilyas is different from Idris because in chapter [[Quran 6]]:83-85{{enote|This was Our argument that We gave to Abraham against his people. We raise in rank whomever We wish. Indeed your Lord is all-wise, all-knowing. (83) And We gave him Isaac and Jacob and guided each of them. And Noah We had guided before, and from his offspring, David and Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron —thus do We reward the virtuous— (84) and Zechariah, John, Jesus, and Ilyas, —each of them among the righteous (Qurʾān, 6:83-85)}} Ilyas (a) is mentioned among the offsprings of Nuh (a), while Idris was before Nuh (a) and was among his ancestors.<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, ''Tarjuma-yi tafsīr-i al-mīzān'', vol. 2, p. 211; Ṭabrisī, ''Majmaʿ al-bayān'', vol. 4, p. 510-511.</ref>

== In Hadiths ==

Narrations suggest that Idris chose from among his followers 7 people to pray and others said Amen. Then, God accepted their prayers and thus chose Idris as His messenger.<ref>Ṣadūq, ''ʿIlal al-sharāyiʿ'', vol. 1, p. 28.</ref>

In answer to a question of [[Abu Dhar]] about the number of books God revealed to His prophets, [[the Prophet (s)]] answered, "104 books, 50 of which were revealed to [[Shayth (a)]], 30 to Idris (a), 20 to Ibrahim (a) plus the Torah, the Bible, the Psalms and Furqan."<ref>Majlisī, ''Biḥār al-anwār'', vol. 11, p. 32.</ref> He (s) then added that "the first person who wrote with the pen was Idris (a)."<ref>Riyshahrī, ''Ḥikam al-Nabīyy'', vol. 2, p. 269.</ref>

It is mentioned in narrations that Idris (a) was pious and ascetic and prayed to God a thousand times a day. His house is considered to be [[Masjid al-Sahla]] and that he (a) did tailoring. [[Imam Ali (a)]] said, "God raised Idris (a) and he (a) enjoys the foods of paradise after he (a) passed away."<ref>Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 11, p. 274.</ref>