The 25 Prophets Mentioned in the Quran (With Their English Names)
The 25 prophets named in the Quran with their Arabic and English names, the five 'resolute' messengers, the surahs named after prophets, and figures whose status scholars discuss.
Last updated: 2026-10-03
The Quran mentions 25 prophets by name, according to the common count, and says there were many others whose stories it does not tell. Belief in all the prophets is one of the pillars of faith in Islam. Here they are with the names most familiar in English.
The 25 named prophets
| # | Name in the Quran | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam | Adam |
| 2 | Idris | Enoch (commonly identified) |
| 3 | Nuh | Noah |
| 4 | Hud | — |
| 5 | Salih | — |
| 6 | Ibrahim | Abraham |
| 7 | Lut | Lot |
| 8 | Isma’il | Ishmael |
| 9 | Ishaq | Isaac |
| 10 | Ya’qub | Jacob |
| 11 | Yusuf | Joseph |
| 12 | Ayyub | Job |
| 13 | Shu’ayb | — (sometimes linked with Jethro) |
| 14 | Musa | Moses |
| 15 | Harun | Aaron |
| 16 | Dhul-Kifl | — (sometimes linked with Ezekiel) |
| 17 | Dawud | David |
| 18 | Sulayman | Solomon |
| 19 | Ilyas | Elijah |
| 20 | Al-Yasa’ | Elisha |
| 21 | Yunus | Jonah |
| 22 | Zakariyya | Zechariah |
| 23 | Yahya | John the Baptist |
| 24 | Isa | Jesus |
| 25 | Muhammad | — |
Hud, Salih and Shu’ayb were sent to Arabian peoples (the ‘Ad, the Thamud and the people of Madyan) and have no clear biblical counterparts. Identifications such as Idris with Enoch are traditional opinions rather than statements of the Quran.
The five “resolute” messengers
Scholars often single out five messengers as ulul-azm, “those of firm resolve”: Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Muhammad. Their stories involve great hardship and patience, and they are mentioned together in more than one place in the Quran.
Who is mentioned most?
Musa (Moses) is named far more often than any other prophet — well over a hundred times — and his story appears across many surahs, from his birth to the confrontation with Pharaoh and the journey of the Children of Israel. Ibrahim, Nuh and Isa are also mentioned frequently. The Prophet Muhammad is named four times as Muhammad and once as Ahmad, and he is addressed throughout the Quran.
Surahs named after prophets
| No. | Surah | Meaning | Ayahs | Revelation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Yunus يونس | Jonah | 109 | Meccan |
| 11 | Hud هود | Hud | 123 | Meccan |
| 12 | Yusuf يوسف | Joseph | 111 | Meccan |
| 14 | Ibrahim ابراهيم | Abraham | 52 | Meccan |
| 47 | Muhammad محمد | Muhammad | 38 | Medinan |
| 71 | Nuh نوح | Noah | 28 | Meccan |
Figures whose status is discussed
The Quran mentions some figures whose prophethood scholars discuss, such as Luqman (a wise man, after whom Luqman is named), Dhul-Qarnayn (a just ruler in Al-Kahf), Uzayr, and the servant Musa travelled with in Al-Kahf, traditionally called al-Khidr. Mary (Maryam) is honoured above the women of the worlds but is not counted as a prophet by most scholars.
Prophets’ names as baby names
The names of prophets are among the most popular names for Muslim boys around the world. See baby names from the Quran for more.
Frequently asked questions
- How many prophets are mentioned in the Quran?
- Twenty-five are mentioned by name, according to the common count. The Quran says there were many other prophets and messengers not named in it.
- Which prophet is mentioned most in the Quran?
- Moses (Musa) is mentioned by name more than any other prophet — well over a hundred times.
- Is Muhammad mentioned by name in the Quran?
- Yes, four times as Muhammad, and once as Ahmad.
This article explains common understanding and history for general readers; it is not a religious ruling. For questions of practice, consult a qualified scholar. See the disclaimer.
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