Note: This is simplified learning material, not a fatwa. We have tried to be accurate and to give a source for each point; if you find a mistake, press “Report a mistake” under it — ideally with the correction and its evidence. For your own situation, ask a trusted scholar.
Prophet Adam
The first human and the father of mankind
Allah created Adam from clay, taught him the names of all things, and commanded the angels to bow to him. They all bowed except Iblis, who refused out of pride.
Adam and his wife lived in Paradise. They could eat from everything there except one tree.
Shaytan whispered to them until they ate from the tree. They felt deep regret and asked Allah to forgive them.
Allah accepted their repentance and sent them down to the earth, where human life began.
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 30 وَعَلَّمَ ءَادَمَ ٱلْأَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنۢبِـُٔونِى بِأَسْمَآءِ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ 31 قَالُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 32 قَالَ يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ أَنۢبِئْهُم بِأَسْمَآئِهِمْ فَلَمَّآ أَنۢبَأَهُم بِأَسْمَآئِهِمْ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَأَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْتُمُونَ 33 وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِـَٔادَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ 34 وَقُلْنَا يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 35 فَأَزَلَّهُمَا ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ وَقُلْنَا ٱهْبِطُوا۟ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ وَلَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ 36 فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَٰتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ 37
Adam (peace be upon him) was the first human being and the first prophet. All people are his children.
Lessons:
- Pride is what made Iblis fall; humility is what raises a person.
- When we make a mistake, we should turn back to Allah quickly, as Adam did.
Prophet Nuh (Noah)
The patient caller and the great ark
Nuh called his people to worship Allah alone for nine hundred and fifty years, by night and by day, in private and in public.
Only a few believed. Allah commanded Nuh to build an ark, and his people mocked him whenever they passed by.
Water poured from the sky and burst out of the earth. The believers boarded the ark, with a pair of every kind of animal.
Nuh's son refused to board, saying a mountain would protect him. A wave came between them, and he was drowned.
The water went down, and the ark came to rest on Mount Judi. The believers stepped out in safety.
وَأُوحِىَ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ أَنَّهُۥ لَن يُؤْمِنَ مِن قَوْمِكَ إِلَّا مَن قَدْ ءَامَنَ فَلَا تَبْتَئِسْ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَفْعَلُونَ 36 وَٱصْنَعِ ٱلْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا وَلَا تُخَٰطِبْنِى فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ 37 وَيَصْنَعُ ٱلْفُلْكَ وَكُلَّمَا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ مَلَأٌ مِّن قَوْمِهِۦ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُ قَالَ إِن تَسْخَرُوا۟ مِنَّا فَإِنَّا نَسْخَرُ مِنكُمْ كَمَا تَسْخَرُونَ 38 فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ 39 حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ قُلْنَا ٱحْمِلْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَوْلُ وَمَنْ ءَامَنَ وَمَآ ءَامَنَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ 40 وَقَالَ ٱرْكَبُوا۟ فِيهَا بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجْر۪ىٰهَا وَمُرْسَىٰهَآ إِنَّ رَبِّى لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ 41 وَهِىَ تَجْرِى بِهِمْ فِى مَوْجٍ كَٱلْجِبَالِ وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ ٱبْنَهُۥ وَكَانَ فِى مَعْزِلٍ يَٰبُنَىَّ ٱرْكَب مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُن مَّعَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ 42 قَالَ سَـَٔاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ جَبَلٍ يَعْصِمُنِى مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ وَحَالَ بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلْمَوْجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُغْرَقِينَ 43 وَقِيلَ يَٰٓأَرْضُ ٱبْلَعِى مَآءَكِ وَيَٰسَمَآءُ أَقْلِعِى وَغِيضَ ٱلْمَآءُ وَقُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَٱسْتَوَتْ عَلَى ٱلْجُودِىِّ وَقِيلَ بُعْدًا لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 44
Nuh (peace be upon him) was the first messenger sent to the people of the earth after they began worshipping idols.
Lessons:
- Keep calling to good with patience, even when few people listen.
- Only faith saves a person; family ties alone are not enough.
Prophet Hud
Sent to the mighty people of 'Ad
Hud was sent to the people of 'Ad, who lived among the sand dunes. They were very strong and built tall buildings on every high place.
Hud told them to worship Allah alone and ask His forgiveness. But they were proud and asked, “Who is stronger than us?”
One day they saw a cloud coming and thought it would bring rain. Instead, it was a punishing wind.
The cold, roaring wind blew for seven nights and eight days. Allah saved Hud and those who believed with him.
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُفْتَرُونَ 50 يَٰقَوْمِ لَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِىٓ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ 51 وَيَٰقَوْمِ ٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ 52 قَالُوا۟ يَٰهُودُ مَا جِئْتَنَا بِبَيِّنَةٍ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَارِكِىٓ ءَالِهَتِنَا عَن قَوْلِكَ وَمَا نَحْنُ لَكَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ 53 إِن نَّقُولُ إِلَّا ٱعْتَرَىٰكَ بَعْضُ ءَالِهَتِنَا بِسُوٓءٍ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُشْهِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشْهَدُوٓا۟ أَنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ 54 مِن دُونِهِۦ فَكِيدُونِى جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ لَا تُنظِرُونِ 55 إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ 56 فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُم مَّآ أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيْكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفُ رَبِّى قَوْمًا غَيْرَكُمْ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُۥ شَيْـًٔا إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَفِيظٌ 57 وَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا هُودًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ 58 وَتِلْكَ عَادٌ جَحَدُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَصَوْا۟ رُسُلَهُۥ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ 59 وَأُتْبِعُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ أَلَآ إِنَّ عَادًا كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّعَادٍ قَوْمِ هُودٍ 60
Hud (peace be upon him) was one of the Arab prophets. His people trusted in their own strength instead of thanking Allah for it.
Lessons:
- Strength and wealth are gifts from Allah, not reasons for pride.
- Allah is always more powerful than any people, however strong they are.
Prophet Salih
The people of Thamud and the she-camel
Salih was sent to the people of Thamud, who carved their houses out of the mountains.
They asked for a sign, so Allah sent a she-camel. Salih told them to leave her in peace and share the water: one day for her, one day for them.
But the worst of them killed the camel. Salih warned them that they had only three days left.
A mighty blast seized the wrongdoers. Allah saved Salih and the believers.
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَٰلِحًا قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّى قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ 61 قَالُوا۟ يَٰصَٰلِحُ قَدْ كُنتَ فِينَا مَرْجُوًّا قَبْلَ هَٰذَآ أَتَنْهَىٰنَآ أَن نَّعْبُدَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَإِنَّنَا لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَآ إِلَيْهِ مُرِيبٍ 62 قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَءَاتَىٰنِى مِنْهُ رَحْمَةً فَمَن يَنصُرُنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ عَصَيْتُهُۥ فَمَا تَزِيدُونَنِى غَيْرَ تَخْسِيرٍ 63 وَيَٰقَوْمِ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ ءَايَةً فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِىٓ أَرْضِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِيبٌ 64 فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ فِى دَارِكُمْ ثَلَٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍ ذَٰلِكَ وَعْدٌ غَيْرُ مَكْذُوبٍ 65 فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا صَٰلِحًا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَمِنْ خِزْىِ يَوْمِئِذٍ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْقَوِىُّ ٱلْعَزِيزُ 66 وَأَخَذَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ فِى دِيَٰرِهِمْ جَٰثِمِينَ 67 كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا۟ فِيهَآ أَلَآ إِنَّ ثَمُودَا۟ كَفَرُوا۟ رَبَّهُمْ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّثَمُودَ 68
Salih (peace be upon him) called his people to thank Allah for their blessings and to worship Him alone.
Lessons:
- A clear sign from Allah is a test: it must be respected, not mocked.
- Breaking a promise to Allah brings harm on the one who breaks it.
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
The friend of Allah
As a young man, Ibrahim showed his people that the stars, the moon and the sun all set and disappear, so they cannot be gods.
He broke his people's idols, leaving only the biggest one. When they asked who did it, he told them to ask the idols, if they could speak.
Angry and ashamed, they built a huge fire and threw Ibrahim into it.
Allah commanded the fire to be cool and safe for Ibrahim, and he came out unharmed.
Later, Ibrahim and his son Isma'il raised the foundations of the Kaaba in Makkah, praying to Allah to accept it from them.
قَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَنتَ فَعَلْتَ هَٰذَا بِـَٔالِهَتِنَا يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ 62 قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُۥ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَٰذَا فَسْـَٔلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ يَنطِقُونَ 63 فَرَجَعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّكُمْ أَنتُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ 64 ثُمَّ نُكِسُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ يَنطِقُونَ 65 قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَضُرُّكُمْ 66 أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ 67 قَالُوا۟ حَرِّقُوهُ وَٱنصُرُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَٰعِلِينَ 68 قُلْنَا يَٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًا وَسَلَٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ 69 وَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ 70
Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is called Khalilullah, the close friend of Allah. Many prophets came from his family, including Isma'il, Ishaq, Ya'qub and Muhammad ﷺ.
Lessons:
- Use your mind to see that only the Creator deserves worship.
- Whoever trusts Allah completely, Allah protects.
Prophet Isma'il (Ishmael)
The patient son and the well of Zamzam
By Allah's command, Ibrahim left his wife Hajar and their baby Isma'il in the empty valley of Makkah. Hajar said: then Allah will not abandon us.
When the water ran out, Hajar ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, searching for help.
Allah made water gush out of the ground beside the baby. This is the well of Zamzam, still flowing today.
When Isma'il grew older, Ibrahim saw in a dream that he was sacrificing him. Isma'il said: do as you are commanded, you will find me patient, if Allah wills. Allah then saved him and sent a great sacrifice in his place.
Father and son built the Kaaba together, the first house of worship of Allah on earth.
رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 100 فَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ حَلِيمٍ 101 فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ 102 فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ 103 وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ أَن يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ 104 قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 105 إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبَلَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْمُبِينُ 106 وَفَدَيْنَٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ 107 وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ 108 سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ 109 كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 110 إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ 111
Isma'il (peace be upon him) was the elder son of Ibrahim. Most scholars hold that he was the son in the story of the sacrifice. The running between Safa and Marwa in Hajj and Umrah, and the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha, remind us of this family.
Lessons:
- True trust in Allah: Hajar trusted Him, then did her best by searching.
- Obeying Allah brings relief, even when the test is very hard.
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph)
From the well to the treasury of Egypt
Young Yusuf dreamed that eleven stars, the sun and the moon were bowing to him. His father Ya'qub told him not to tell his brothers.
His jealous brothers threw him into a well. Travellers found him and sold him in Egypt.
Yusuf stayed pure and refused to do wrong, yet he was put in prison unjustly. There he explained the dreams of two prisoners.
He explained the king's dream of seven fat cows and seven thin cows: seven good years, then seven years of drought. He was put in charge of Egypt's stores.
His brothers came to buy food, and Yusuf forgave them. His whole family came to Egypt, and his childhood dream came true.
إِذْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ لِأَبِيهِ يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى رَأَيْتُ أَحَدَ عَشَرَ كَوْكَبًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِى سَٰجِدِينَ 4 قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ لَا تَقْصُصْ رُءْيَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ إِخْوَتِكَ فَيَكِيدُوا۟ لَكَ كَيْدًا إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ 5 وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰٓ ءَالِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَآ أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰٓ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْحَٰقَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ 6 لَّقَدْ كَانَ فِى يُوسُفَ وَإِخْوَتِهِۦٓ ءَايَٰتٌ لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ 7 إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لَيُوسُفُ وَأَخُوهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَبِينَا مِنَّا وَنَحْنُ عُصْبَةٌ إِنَّ أَبَانَا لَفِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ 8 ٱقْتُلُوا۟ يُوسُفَ أَوِ ٱطْرَحُوهُ أَرْضًا يَخْلُ لَكُمْ وَجْهُ أَبِيكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ قَوْمًا صَٰلِحِينَ 9 قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ لَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ يُوسُفَ وَأَلْقُوهُ فِى غَيَٰبَتِ ٱلْجُبِّ يَلْتَقِطْهُ بَعْضُ ٱلسَّيَّارَةِ إِن كُنتُمْ فَٰعِلِينَ 10
Allah calls the story of Yusuf (peace be upon him) “the best of stories”. It is told in one whole surah, Surah Yusuf.
Lessons:
- Patience and purity lead to a good ending, even after many hardships.
- Forgiving those who hurt you is a sign of a noble heart.
Prophet Ayyub (Job)
The model of patience
Allah tested Ayyub with a long, severe illness and with great loss. He stayed patient for many years.
He never complained except to Allah. He called out: harm has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.
Allah told him to strike the ground with his foot. A cool spring came out for him to wash in and drink from.
Allah healed him and gave him back his family, and as many again with them, as a mercy from Him.
وَٱذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَآ أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ 41 ٱرْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ هَٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌۢ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ 42 وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ 43 وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَٰهُ صَابِرًا نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ 44
Allah praised Ayyub (peace be upon him) in the Quran: “We found him patient. What an excellent servant!”
Lessons:
- Complain to Allah alone, and do not lose hope in His mercy.
- After hardship comes ease, by the will of Allah.
Prophet Yunus (Jonah)
The prayer from inside the whale
Yunus called his people to Allah, but they did not respond. He left them in anger before Allah had given him permission.
He boarded a full ship. Lots were drawn to lighten it, and Yunus was thrown into the sea.
A whale swallowed him. In the darkness he called: there is no god but You, glory be to You, I have been one of the wrongdoers.
Allah answered him. The whale cast him onto the shore, weak and ill, and Allah made a gourd plant grow over him.
Yunus returned to his people, more than a hundred thousand, and this time they believed.
وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ 139 إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ 140 فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُدْحَضِينَ 141 فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ 142 فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ 143 لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ 144 فَنَبَذْنَٰهُ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌ 145 وَأَنۢبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةً مِّن يَقْطِينٍ 146 وَأَرْسَلْنَٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ 147 فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ 148
The Prophet ﷺ said that no Muslim calls upon Allah with the prayer of Yunus for anything except that Allah answers him (Tirmidhi).
Lessons:
- Never give up on people; keep calling them with patience.
- No darkness is too deep for Allah to hear our call.
Prophet Musa (Moses)
The one to whom Allah spoke
Pharaoh was killing the baby boys of the Children of Israel. Allah inspired Musa's mother to place him in a chest on the river, and he was raised in Pharaoh's own palace.
Years later, travelling with his family, Musa saw a fire on the mountain. There Allah spoke to him and chose him as a messenger.
With his brother Harun, Musa went to Pharaoh and asked him to let the Children of Israel go. Pharaoh refused, but his magicians believed.
When Pharaoh's army chased them to the sea, Allah told Musa to strike it with his staff. The sea split, the believers crossed, and Pharaoh and his army drowned.
Allah gave Musa the Tawrah (Torah) as guidance and light for his people.
فَلَمَّا تَرَٰٓءَا ٱلْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ 61 قَالَ كَلَّآ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ 62 فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ 63 وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ 64 وَأَنجَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ 65 ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ 66 إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 67
Musa (peace be upon him) is the prophet mentioned most often by name in the Quran.
Lessons:
- Allah's plan is perfect: the baby Pharaoh feared grew up in his own house.
- When everything looks closed, Allah opens a way.
Prophet Dawud (David)
The king who praised Allah
As a young soldier in the army of Talut, Dawud defeated the tyrant Jalut (Goliath).
Allah gave Dawud kingship, wisdom and the ability to judge fairly between people.
When Dawud glorified Allah, the mountains and the birds glorified Allah with him.
Allah gave him the Zabur (Psalms) and made iron soft for him, so he could make armour.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا يَٰجِبَالُ أَوِّبِى مَعَهُۥ وَٱلطَّيْرَ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ ٱلْحَدِيدَ 10 أَنِ ٱعْمَلْ سَٰبِغَٰتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِى ٱلسَّرْدِ وَٱعْمَلُوا۟ صَٰلِحًا إِنِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ 11
The Prophet ﷺ said that Dawud ate only from the work of his own hands (Bukhari), and that the fasting most loved by Allah is the fasting of Dawud: he fasted one day and did not fast the next (Bukhari and Muslim).
Lessons:
- Power should be used with justice and gratitude.
- Honest work is honourable, even for a king.
Prophet Sulayman (Solomon)
The king who understood the birds
Sulayman inherited the kingdom of his father Dawud. Allah taught him the speech of birds and gave him a kingdom like no other.
As his army came to a valley of ants, one ant warned the others to go into their homes. Sulayman smiled and thanked Allah.
One day the hoopoe bird was missing. It returned with news of a queen in Saba' whose people worshipped the sun.
Sulayman invited the queen to worship Allah. She came to him and submitted to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.
Allah made the wind obey Sulayman's command, as one of the gifts He gave him.
وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَٰنُ دَاوُۥدَ وَقَالَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ ٱلطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْمُبِينُ 16 وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَٰنَ جُنُودُهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ 17 حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَٰكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ 18 فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 19 وَتَفَقَّدَ ٱلطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِىَ لَآ أَرَى ٱلْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْغَآئِبِينَ 20 لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ 21 فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِۦ وَجِئْتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍۭ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ 22
Sulayman (peace be upon him) had great power, yet he always said that everything he had was from the favour of his Lord.
Lessons:
- The more blessings we receive, the more we should thank Allah.
- Even a small creature like an ant deserves care and respect.
Prophet Isa (Jesus)
The son of Maryam, a word from Allah
An angel told Maryam she would have a son without a father, by Allah's command. She gave birth under a palm tree, and Allah gave her fresh dates and water.
When her people blamed her, the baby Isa spoke from the cradle: he said he was a servant of Allah, given the Book and made a prophet.
Allah gave him the Injil (Gospel). By Allah's permission he healed the blind and the sick and brought the dead back to life.
His enemies plotted to kill him, but they did not kill him or crucify him. Allah raised him up to Himself.
The Prophet ﷺ told us that Isa will come back before the Last Day as a just ruler (Bukhari and Muslim).
فَأَتَتْ بِهِۦ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُۥ قَالُوا۟ يَٰمَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْـًٔا فَرِيًّا 27 يَٰٓأُخْتَ هَٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا 28 فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ قَالُوا۟ كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّا 29 قَالَ إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّا 30 وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا 31 وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَتِى وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِى جَبَّارًا شَقِيًّا 32 وَٱلسَّلَٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا 33 ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ قَوْلَ ٱلْحَقِّ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ 34
Isa (peace be upon him) is one of the greatest messengers. Muslims love him and believe he is a servant and messenger of Allah, not God or the son of God. His mother Maryam is one of the best women ever created.
Lessons:
- Allah creates whatever He wills; He only says “Be”, and it is.
- Every miracle a prophet shows happens by Allah's permission.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The final messenger, a mercy to the worlds
At the age of forty, while worshipping in the cave of Hira near Makkah, the angel Jibril came to him with the first revelation: “Read in the name of your Lord.”
For about thirteen years he called the people of Makkah to worship Allah alone, meeting mockery and harm with patience.
Allah allowed him to migrate (the Hijrah) to Madinah. He travelled with his friend Abu Bakr, and they hid for three nights in the cave of Thawr.
In Madinah he built his mosque and made the emigrants and the people of Madinah brothers to one another.
Years later he returned to Makkah in victory, pardoned his people, and cleared the idols from around the Kaaba.
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ 1 خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ 2 ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ 3 ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ 4 عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ 5
Muhammad ﷺ is the last of the prophets; no prophet comes after him. He passed away in Madinah at the age of sixty-three, leaving us the Quran and his Sunnah.
Lessons:
- He is the best example for us in worship, character and family life.
- Patience and mercy win hearts more than anger.