Reflections of the Divine Blueprint
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
“And mention Idris in the Book, surely he was a truthful man, a Prophet. And We raised him high in heaven.” (19:57-58)
It is narrated by Wahab that Idris was a man of solid build with a broad chest. His body was mostly free of hair except for a thick covering on his head. One ear was slightly larger than the other, and his chest hair was sparse. He spoke in a soft tone, and when he walked, his feet would come together, revealing his gentle nature.
Idris was a Prophet of immense devotion to Allah. He contemplated deeply on the vastness of Allah's creation: the sky, the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars—all evidence of Allah's limitless power. He was known for his unyielding conviction about the greatness of Allah and the importance of worshiping only Him. He took it upon himself to remind his people of this truth, warning them of the punishment for turning away from their Creator.
At first, Idris only had a small following: seven, then seventy, later seven hundred, and eventually, one thousand. Yet, despite these numbers, he only selected a hundred pious individuals from among them. From these, seventy were chosen, and from those seventy, ten more were selected. Eventually, only seven stood by him, joining in prayer, with the rest offering an earnest "Ameen." They prayed by placing their hands on the earth, but no response came. Then they raised their hands to the sky, invoking Allah, and it was revealed to Idris that he was appointed as a Messenger, tasked with guiding the people to worship Allah alone.
The people initially embraced his teachings, but over time, many strayed. Allah appointed Nuh to guide the people back to the straight path.
It is narrated by Abu-Dharr that thirty books were revealed to Idris. Some traditions also state that he was the first to write with a pen. Before Idris, people covered themselves with leaves, but he taught them to stitch garments, marking one of his significant contributions to civilization, alongside his devotion to Allah.
Imam Ja‘far as-Sadiq recounts that Masjid as-Sahlah was Idris' residence, a place of prayer and stitching, where Allah would fulfill the supplications of those who sought His mercy. There, the status of supplicants is elevated on the Day of Judgment, as it was the place where Idris dedicated his life to worship.
The Tyrant King and the Prophethood of Idris
In the early days of Idris’ Prophethood, there lived a tyrant king who, while strolling through a beautiful garden belonging to a devout believer, coveted the land. The believer, steadfast in his faith, refused to sell his land. Enraged, the king returned to his palace and consulted his wife. She advised him to falsely accuse the believer of abandoning the state religion, which would provide justification for executing him and seizing the land.
The king, following his wife’s counsel, had the believer unjustly executed. Allah, angered by this injustice, commanded Idris to approach the king and deliver a message of divine retribution. Idris confronted the tyrant, warning him that Allah would avenge the believer's death and destroy his kingdom.
The king, dismissive of Idris' message, threatened him with death. The queen, eager to eliminate the threat to their reign, ordered the assassination of Idris. A group of forty men was sent to kill him. However, when they reached his dwelling, they found it empty. Upon hearing of the threat, Idris withdrew to a hill, where he remained until Allah sent an angel to provide him with food each evening while he fasted during the day.
As time passed, the king’s kingdom fell, fulfilling the prophecy Idris had delivered. The queen was devoured by wild dogs, a further manifestation of Allah's punishment for her wickedness.
Years of drought followed the tyrant’s downfall, and the people began to suffer. They realized that their lack of rain was the result of Idris’ prayer to withhold it until he allowed it to return. In their desperation, they repented, donning rough garments and covering their heads with mud. They begged Allah for mercy.
Allah revealed to Idris that the people had repented, and if he prayed for rain, it would be granted. Idris, reluctant at first, eventually prayed, and the rains returned. However, as a further test of patience, Allah withdrew Idris’ sustenance for three days, causing him to experience hunger and restlessness. Idris asked a woman for food, and she generously gave him a portion of her meager meal. Tragically, her son died when he witnessed Idris eating. Allah, in His mercy, allowed Idris to revive the child, and the woman, witnessing the miracle, recognized Idris as a true Prophet.
Idris’ Continued Struggle with Tyranny
Despite the miracles and guidance he provided, Idris continued to face tyranny. A second unjust ruler took the throne, and the people, still suffering from the drought, once again sought Idris’ help. However, Idris refused to pray for rain until the king and his people came to him in repentance, walking barefoot as a sign of their humility.
The king, desperate, sent forty men to kill Idris, but they met their demise. In retaliation, the king sent five hundred men to arrest him. Idris confronted them, reminding them of the fate of the forty men. He warned that if they did not repent, they too would face destruction. Eventually, the king’s tyranny ended, and the people, humbled, came to Idris in repentance.
The Miraculous End of Idris’ Life
After his many trials, Allah raised Idris to the heavens, as described in the Qur’an: "And We raised him high in heaven." The manner of his ascension is a subject of reflection, but the key point remains that Idris’ life exemplified his unwavering faith and dedication to the service of Allah.
Before his departure, he left behind a legacy that continues to inspire. His contributions to knowledge and civilization, his role as a Prophet, and his deep commitment to truth and justice are all key elements of his story. His life teaches us about the importance of remaining steadfast in the face of adversity and the eternal reward of those who stay true to the guidance of Allah.
Hayyat Ul Qulub
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