Noah was a pious, sincere and truthful man. Allah chose him to guide his people who were idol-worshipers. Noah tried hard to make his people abandon idols and worship Allah alone, but only the poor followed him. Allah kept the rain from them, and Noah called them to accept the true faith so that Allah may give them rain and blessing. They feigned acceptance, but when Allah finally sent the rain to them and blessed their crops and children, they reverted to infidelity. After nine hundred and fifty years of persistent preaching, Noah despaired of those people and invoked Allah against them. Allah answered his prayer and ordered him to construct the Ark in which he and his followers would be saved. Then came the Flood which destroyed the blaspheming people completely.

‏نوح : كان نوح تقيا صادقا أرسله الله ليهدي قومه وينذرهم عذاب الآخرة ولكنهم عصوه وكذبوه، ومع ذلك استمر يدعوهم إلى الدين الحنيف فاتبعه قليل من الناس، واستمر الكفرة في طغيانهم فمنع الله عنهم المطر ودعاهم نوح أن يؤمنوا حتى يرفع الله عنهم العذاب فآمنوا فرفع الله عنهم العذاب ولكنهم رجعوا إلى كفرهم، وأخذ يدعوهم 950 سنة ثم أمره الله ببناء السفينة وأن يأخذ معه زوجا من كل نوع ثم جاء الطوفان فأغرقهم أجمعين.‏

Salih was Allah's prophet to the people of Thamud, who were endowed with abundant riches. Not only were they ungrateful for these blessings but they neglected the Lord, worshiped idols and boasted of their might. Allah sent Salih to warn them, but they asked for a miracle to support his allegations. Allah granted Salih a miraculous She-camel, and he warned his people against hurting it. Nevertheless, they persisted in their blasphemy and slaughtered the She-camel. They were destroyed by the Mighty Blast, but Salih and his followers were saved.

‏صالح : أرسله الله إلى قوم ثمود وكانوا قوما جاحدين آتاهم الله رزقا كثيرا ولكنهم عصوا ربهم وعبدوا الأصنام وتفاخروا بينهم بقوتهم فبعث الله إليهم صالحا مبشرا ومنذرا ولكنهم كذبوه وعصوه وطالبوه بأن يأتي بآية ليصدقوه فأتاهم بالناقة وأمرهم أن لا يؤذوها ولكنهم أصروا على كبرهم فعقروا الناقة وعاقبهم الله بالصاعقة فصعقوا جزاء لفعلتهم ونجى الله صالحا والمؤمنين.‏

Solomon was a prophet of knowledge and wisdom. He had power and authority not only over men but the Jinn as well. Allah had bestowed upon him the ability to understand the means of communication among birds, beasts and ants. Solomon had a story with a hoopoe bird, that informed him about the Yemeni Kingdom of Sheba, whose people used to worship the sun. They were satisfied with their own human achievements, instead of looking to Allah, the True and Only God. Solomon invited Balqis, Queen of Sheba, to join the true Faith and bask in the light of Allah. Eventually, she accepted the Faith and joined Solomon in praising Allah.

‏سليمان : آتاه الله العلم والحكمة وعلمه منطق الطير والحيوانات وسخر له الرياح والجن، وكان له قصة مع الهدهد حيث أخبره أن هناك مملكة باليمن يعبد أهلها الشمس من دون الله فبعث سليمان إلى ملكة سبأ يطلب منها الإيمان ولكنها أرسلت له الهدايا فطلب من الجن أن يأتوا بعرشها فلما جاءت ووجدت عرشها آمنت بالله.‏

Yahya, the son of Zechariah, was born in fulfillment of his father's supplication that Allah might grant him a righteous child. The sign of his birth was that his father would not speak to anyone for three days, though he was not dumb. Yahya was a devout prophet who was given wisdom at a young age.

‏يحيى : ابن نبي الله زكريا، ولد استجابة لدعاء زكريا لله أن يرزقه الذرية الصالحة فجعل آية مولده أن لا يكلم الناس ثلاث ليال سويا، وقد كان يحيى نبيا وحصورا ومن الصالحين ، كما كان بارا تقيا ورعا منذ صباه.‏

Zechariah was a devout prophet who called for the True Religion. He took care of Mary the Virgin, and prayed Allah to grant him a virtuous child. Allah gave him John the Baptist [Yahya], who also called for the right way of Allah.

‏زكريا : عبد صالح تقي أخذ يدعو للدين الحنيف، كفل مريم العذراء، دعا الله أن يرزقه ذرية صالحة فوهب له يحيى الذي خلفه في الدعوة لعبادة الله الواحد القهار.‏

Aaron was Moses's eloquent brother who helped him proclaim his mission to Pharaoh. When Moses went to fulfill the appointment with his Lord on Mount Sinai, Aaron succeeded him in leading the Israelites. During this period a man called Al-Samiri suggested to the Israelites that they make the golden figure of a calf to worship. Thus they went astray and committed a great sin. Aaron persistently tried to convince them to return to the worship of Allah, but they did not listen to him. Upon his return, Moses was angered and blamed Aaron heavily for letting the Israelites divert from the true faith.

‏هارون : أخو موسى ورفيقه في دعوة فرعون إلى الإيمان بالله لأنه كان فصيحا ومتحدثا، استخلفه موسى على قومه عندما ذهب للقاء الله فوق جبل الطور، ولكن حدثت فتنة السامري الذي حول بني إسرائيل إلى عبادة عجل من الذهب له خوار ، فدعاهم هارون إلى الرجوع لعبادة الله بدلا من العجل ولكنهم استكبروا فلما رجع موسى ووجد ما آل إليه قومه عاتب هارون عتابا شديدا.‏

Abraham was the "Close One to Allah" Who preferred him over many others and selected him to be a messenger. Though brought up in a pagan community that worshiped idols, Abraham refused to do so and realized that there must be a greater god of the universe. Allah guided him to the right path and revealed His message to him. He then directed his mission to his people, and called on them to renounce idolatry. He was answered with stubborn refusals. They plotted against him but their schemes were in vain, for Allah, the Almighty, provided support and protection to His servant and prophet, Abraham. Abraham was the forefather of a line of prophets through his two sons Ishmael and Isaac. It was Abraham who began the construction of the Ka`bah with the help of Ishmael.

‏إبراهيم : هو خليل الله، اصطفاه الله برسالته وفضله على كثير من خلقه، كان إبراهيم يعيش في قوم يعبدون الكواكب، فلم يكن يرضيه ذلك، وأحس بفطرته أن هناك إلها أعظم حتى هداه الله واصطفاه برسالته، وأخذ إبراهيم يدعو قومه لوحدانية الله وعبادته ولكنهم كذبوه وحاولوا إحراقه فأنجاه الله من بين أيديهم، جعل الله الأنبياء من نسل إبراهيم فولد له إسماعيل وإسحاق، قام إبراهيم ببناء الكعبة مع إسماعيل.‏

Adam, the first man, was created by the Hand of Allah Who taught him all names, made the angels prostrate before him, and granted him the companionship of Eve with whom he was admitted to Paradise. In Paradise both Adam and Eve were warned against a certain tree, but Satan tempted them to eat from its fruit. As a result, Adam was descended to be Allah's vicegerent on earth, and, together with Eve, was provided with a means of living. As the first apostle of Allah, Adam was ordered to call his children to the worship of Allah the Only and True God.

‏آدم : أبو البشر، خلقه الله بيده وأسجد له الملائكة وعلمه الأسماء وخلق له زوجته وأسكنهما الجنة وأنذرهما أن لا يقربا شجرة معينة ولكن الشيطان وسوس لهما فأكلا منها فأنزلهما الله إلى الأرض ومكن لهما سبل العيش بها وطالبهما بعبادة الله وحده وحض الناس على ذلك، وجعله خليفته في الأرض، وهو رسول الله إلى أبنائه وهو أول الأنبياء.‏

David was a devout servant of Allah who used to observe fasting on one day and break it the next, besides practicing forms of worship for about two-thirds of the night. Allah revealed the Psalms to David, gave him wisdom and knowledge and granted him a strong kingdom in which mountains were subdued, all birds were assembled and iron was made soft.

‏داوود : آتاه الله العلم والحكمة وسخر له الجبال والطير يسبحن معه وألان له الحديد، كان عبدا خالصا لله شكورا يصوم يوما ويفطر يوما يقوم نصف الليل وينام ثلثه ويقوم سدسه وأنزل الله عليه الزبور وقد أوتي ملكا عظيما وأمره الله أن يحكم بالعدل.‏

Elijah was a prophet sent to the people of Baalbek, in east Lebanon. He called them to worship only Allah and stop adoring their idol Ba`la. They subjected him to different punishments. Ibn `Abbas said that Elijah was the paternal uncle of Elisha.

‏إلياس : أرسل إلى أهل بعلبك غربي دمشق فدعاهم إلى عبادة الله وأن يتركوا عبادة صنم كانوا يسمونه بعلا فآذوه، وقال ابن عباس هو عم اليسع.‏

Elisha was a devout prophet who performed the miracle of resurrecting a dead person. He is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an twice and in the Torah as well.

‏اليسع : من العبدة الأخيار ورد ذكره في التوراة كما ذكر في القرآن مرتين ، ويذكر أنه أقام من الموت إنسانا كمعجزة.‏

Ezekiel was a devout prophet who used to observe prayer one hundred times a day. He took it upon himself to stand for justice among his people.

‏ذو الكفل : من الأنبياء الصالحين، وكان يصلي كل يوم مائة صلاة، قيل إنه تكفل لبني قومه أن يقضي بينهم بالعدل ويكفيهم أمرهم ففعل فسمي بذي الكفل.‏

One community, called `Ad, were strong and of huge stature. Allah blessed them in everything, but they were ungrateful to Him and began to worship idols. Allah sent them a messenger from among themselves to guide them. It was Hud who was born into a noble family and grew up virtuous and intelligent. He invited them to follow the way of Allah, and worked hard to counsel them. But they did not believe and were satisfied with the life of this world. They were destroyed by a fierce wind that blew and uprooted trees, demolished houses and flung animals away. It lasted for seven nights and eight days.

‏هود : أرسل إلى قوم عاد الذين كانوا بالأحقاف، وكانوا أقوياء الجسم والبنيان وآتاهم الله الكثير من رزقه ولكنهم لم يشكروا الله على ما آتاهم وعبدوا الأصنام فأرسل لهم الله هودا نبيا مبشرا، كان حكيما ولكنهم كذبوه وآذوه فجاء عقاب الله وأهلكهم بريح صرصر عاتية استمرت سبع ليال وثمانية أيام.‏

Idris was a grandfather of Noah and the first prophet after Adam to receive thirty Divine Scriptures. He called for the Oneness of Allah and was followed by one thousand people. Idris was the first to write, the first to wear sewn clothes and the first to think about astrology.

‏إدريس : كان صديقا نبيا ومن الصابرين، أول نبي بعث في الأرض بعد آدم، وهو أبو جد نوح، أنزلت عليه ثلاثون صحيفة، ودعا إلى وحدانية الله وآمن به ألف إنسان، وهو أول من خط بالقلم وأول من خاط الثياب ولبسها، وأول من نظر في علم النجوم وسيرها.‏

Isaac was Abraham's son by his wife Sarah, and the father of Jacob. The tidings of his birth were given to his parents by the angels who had been sent to destroy the city of the people of Lot. The Holy Qur'an referred to Isaac as "a son endowed with wisdom." Isaac was sent as a prophet to guide people to the right way.

‏إسحاق : هو ولد سيدنا إبراهيم من زوجته سارة، وقد كانت البشارة بمولده من الملائكة لإبراهيم وسارة لما مروا بهم مجتازين ذاهبين إلى مدائن قوم لوط ليدمروها عليهم لكفرهم وفجورهم، ذكره الله في القرآن بأنه "غلام عليم" جعله الله نبيا يهدي الناس إلى فعل الخيرات، جاء من نسله سيدنا يعقوب.‏

Ishmael was the first son of Abraham by his second wife, Hajar. In compliance with Allah's command, Abraham moved the mother and her baby to a place in the desert, which came to be known as Mecca, and left them with little food and water. Suffering from lack of provisions, Hajar kept wandering here and there until the water of Zamzam gushed out from under the feet of her baby. The Well of Zamzam attracted many people to dwell in the region. Later, Ishmael helped his father implement the command of Allah regarding the construction of the Ka`bah. Abraham then had a revelation during his sleep, that he should sacrifice his son for the sake of Allah. Both the father and son were images of humility and obedience in their immediate response to the Will of Allah. However, Allah saved Ishmael from being sacrificed. Ishmael was a forbearing knight and was the first to tame horses. He is also said to have been the first to speak Classical Arabic. Prophet Ishmael called for the worship of the Only True God, and enjoined his people to practice prayer and charity.

‏إسماعيل : هو ابن إبراهيم البكر وولد السيدة هاجر، سار إبراهيم بهاجر - بأمر من الله - حتى وضعها وابنها في موضع مكة وتركهما ومعهما قليل من الماء والتمر ولما نفد الزاد جعلت السيدة هاجر تطوف هنا وهناك حتى هداها الله إلى ماء زمزم ووفد عليها كثير من الناس حتى جاء أمر الله لسيدنا إبراهيم ببناء الكعبة ورفع قواعد البيت، فجعل إسماعيل يأتي بالحجر وإبراهيم يبني حتى أتما البناء ثم جاء أمر الله بذبح إسماعيل حيث رأى إبراهيم في منامه أنه يذبح ابنه فعرض عليه ذلك فقال "يا أبت افعل ما تؤمر ستجدني إن شاء الله من الصابرين" ففداه الله بذبح عظيم، كان إسماعيل فارسا فهو أول من استأنس الخيل وكان صبورا حليما، يقال إنه أول من تحدث بالعربية البينة وكان صادق الوعد، وكان يأمر أهله بالصلاة والزكاة، وكان ينادي بعبادة الله ووحدانيته.‏

Jacob, son of Isaac, the Prophet, was also called Israel which means "Servant of Allah." His grandparents, Abraham and Sarah, were given the tidings of his piety and prophethood. Jacob was the father of Joseph. His 12 sons became the progenitors of the tribes of Israel.

‏يعقوب : ابن إسحاق يقال له إسرائيل تعني عبد الله، كان نبيا لقومه، وكان تقيا وبشرت به الملائكة جده إبراهيم وزوجته سارة عليهما السلام وهو والد يوسف.‏

Almost as Adam had been created without a father or mother, Jesus Christ was born without a father. He was Allah's Word inspired to Mary. Allah gave him Clear Signs and endowed him with the Holy Spirit. He was held in honor both in this world and the Hereafter and in the company of those nearest to Allah. Jesus was strong in spirit, and very wise. Allah bestowed upon him the power to speak eloquently while still an infant in his cradle. Indeed, Jesus's miracles were innumerable. Allah taught him the Wisdom and Book, the Torah and the Gospel. Allah made him His Messenger to the Children of Israel. By Allah's leave, Jesus made the figure of a bird out of clay and breathed into it and it became a bird. He could, by Allah's leave, heal those born blind, lepers and even resurrect the dead. Jesus invited his people to worship Allah, the Only True God; but they rejected him and rebelled. Only the poor among them followed him. Allah raised Jesus up unto Himself and saved him from those who plotted to crucify him.

‏عيسى : مثل عيسى مثل آدم خلقه الله من تراب وقال له كن فيكون، هو عيسى بن مريم رسول الله وكلمته ألقاها إلى مريم، وهو الذي بشر بالنبي محمد، آتاه الله البينات وأيده بروح القدس وكان وجيها في الدنيا والآخرة ومن المقربين، كلم الناس في المهد وكهلا وكان يخلق من الطين كهيئة الطير فينفخ فيها فتكون طيرا، ويبرئ الأكمه والأبرص ويخرج الموتى كل بإذن الله، دعا المسيح قومه لعبادة الله الواحد الأحد ولكنهم أبوا واستكبروا وعارضوه، ولم يؤمن به سوى بسطاء قومه، رفعه الله إلى السماء وسيهبط حينما يشاء الله إلى الأرض ليكون شهيدا على الناس.‏

Jethro was sent to the people of Madyan, who used to worship the Wood, usurp other's property and never adhere to due measures and weights. He invited them to adore Allah, give others their rights and deal with justice and equity. However, they not only threatened to banish and stone him, but were stubborn and demanded that he causes the sky to fall upon them in pieces. Thus, they were destroyed by the Mighty Blast.

‏شعيب : أرسل شعيب إلى قوم مدين وكانوا يعبدون الأيكة وكانوا ينقصون المكيال والميزان ولا يعطون الناس حقهم فدعاهم إلى عبادة الله وأن يتعاملوا بالعدل ولكنهم أبوا واستكبروا واستمروا في عنادهم وتوعدوه بالرجم والطرد وطالبوه بأن ينزل عليهم كسفا من السماء فجاءت الصيحة وقضت عليهم جميعا.‏

A descendant of Abraham, Job was a prophet who received Divine Revelation. He was a wealthy man and had many children. However, Allah caused him to lose all his fortune and sons and afflicted him with physical suffering that lasted for 18 years, during which all people deserted him. Only his wife persevered with him and worked to provide for him until he regained his health and was compensated for all he had lost. Job was so great an example of perseverance from suffering that on the Day of Judgment, Allah will make him a standard to refute the excuses of those who did not endure suffering.

‏أيوب : من سلالة سيدنا إبراهيم كان من النبيين الموحى إليهم، كان أيوب ذا مال وأولاد كثيرين ولكن الله ابتلاه في هذا كله فزال عنه، وابتلي في جسده بأنواع البلاء واستمر مرضه 18 عاما اعتزله فيها الناس إلا امرأته صبرت وعملت لكي توفر قوت يومهما حتى عافاه الله من مرضه وأخلفه في كل ما ابتلي فيه، ولذلك يضرب المثل بأيوب في صبره وفي بلائه، روي أن الله يحتج يوم القيامة بأيوب عليه السلام على أهل البلاء.‏

Jonah was Allah's messenger to the people of Ninawa to invite them to the worship of the Only True God. When they rejected him, he threatened them that punishment would come within three nights. Out of fear of being punished they believed in Allah. Jonah departed his people and later was on board of a sinking ship. After casting lots three times, Jonah was chosen to be thrown in the sea. He was swallowed by a great whale and was disgorged unharmed three days later. He was then sent to more than 100, 000 persons calling them to the worship of Allah.

‏يونس (ذو النون) : أرسله الله إلى قوم نينوى فدعاهم إلى عبادة الله وحده ولكنهم أبوا واستكبروا فتركهم وتوعدهم بالعذاب بعد ثلاث ليال فخشوا على أنفسهم فآمنوا فرفع الله عنهم العذاب، أما يونس فخرج في سفينة وكانوا على وشك الغرق فاقترعوا لكي يحددوا من سيلقى من الرجال فوقع ثلاثا على يونس فرمى نفسه في البحر فالتقمه الحوت وأوحى الله إليه أن لا يأكله فدعا يونس ربه أن يخرجه من الظلمات فاستجاب الله له وبعثه إلى مائة ألف أو يزيدون.‏

Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob. Once in a dream he saw eleven stars and the sun and the moon all bowing down to him. He went to his father and told him about his dream. He was happy, but advised his son not to tell his brothers about that dream. The brothers envied Joseph for his father loved him much more than any of them. They plotted to throw him in a well, and told his father that he had been killed by a wolf. Then, he was picked up by caravans who sold him to the Egyptian King for a low price. The king took care of Joseph, who preferred to be imprisoned rather than to yield to the lustful desires of the King's wife. Having been proved innocent, Joseph was released from prison and was appointed administrator of Egypt's grain storehouses which he managed wisely during the years of famine. During this period, Joseph's brothers came to Egypt seeking grain. Joseph made himself known to them and asked them to bring their family, including his father, to Egypt. They came and bo wed down to him as a fulfillment of his first dream.

‏يوسف : ولد سيدنا يعقوب وكان له 11 أخا وكان أبوه يحبه كثيرا وفي ذات ليلة رأى أحد عشر كوكبا والشمس والقمر له ساجدين، فقص على والده ما رأى فقال له ألا يقصها على إخوته، ولكن الشيطان وسوس لإخوته فاتفقوا على أن يلقوه في غيابات الجب وادعوا أن الذئب أكله، ثم مر به ناس من البدو فأخذوه وباعوه بثمن بخس واشتراه عزيز مصر وطلب من زوجته أن ترعاه، ولكنها أخذت تراوده عن نفسه فأبى فكادت له ودخل السجن، ثم أظهر الله براءته وخرج من السجن ، واستعمله الملك على شئون الغذاء التي أحسن إدارتها في سنوات القحط، ثم اجتمع شمله مع إخوته ووالديه وخروا له سجدا وتحققت رؤياه.‏

Lot was Abraham's nephew. Allah sent him to a transgressing people who used to commit all abominable acts and indulge in their lusts with men rather than women. Lot frequently preached to them to abandon such heinous crimes and come to the right course of Allah, but they never obeyed him. Being disappointed in them, Lot prayed Allah to destroy them, but save the believers among them. Because Lot's wife was apparently not a believer, her previous sympathy for the sinful people destined her to a miserable end along with her people.

‏لوط : أرسله الله ليهدي قومه ويدعوهم إلى عبادة الله، وكانوا قوما ظالمين يأتون الفواحش ويعتدون على الغرباء وكانوا يأتون الرجال شهوة من دون النساء فلما دعاهم لوط لترك المنكرات أرادوا أن يخرجوه هو وقومه فلم يؤمن به غير بعض من آل بيته، أما امرأته فلم تؤمن ولما يئس لوط دعا الله أن ينجيهم ويهلك المفسدين فجاءت له الملائكة وأخرجوا لوط ومن آمن به وأهلكوا الآخرين بحجارة مسومة.‏

Moses was sent to call Pharaoh and his people to believe in the Oneness of Allah. He was strengthened by a number of miracles. Allah instructed Moses to throw down his staff which miraculously turned into a huge snake and swallowed all the snakes which the magicians of Pharaoh had made appear. Moses was also instructed to put his hand in his pocket, and it came forth radiantly white, without stain. The Pharaoh promised severe punishments to the followers of Moses. Moses was commanded to leave Egypt with his people by night. Moses's followers were to cross the Red Sea towards Sinai in a huge procession. They were reassured not to fear the Pharaoh, nor the sea, nor the vast unknown desert of Sinai into which they were venturing. They crossed the Red Sea - after Moses struck the sea with his miraculous staff and made it split into dry passage - while the Pharaoh, who had pursued them with his troops, was overwhelmed by the sea.

‏موسى : أرسله الله تعالى إلى فرعون وقومه، وأيده بمعجزتين، إحداهما هي العصا التي تلقف الثعابين، أما الأخرى فكانت يده التي يدخلها في جيبه فتخرج بيضاء من غير سوء، دعا موسى إلى وحدانية الله فحاربه فرعون وجمع له السحرة ليكيدوا له ولكنه هزمهم بإذن الله تعالى، ثم أمره الله أن يخرج من مصر مع من اتبعه، فطارده فرعون بجيش عظيم، ووقت أن ظن أتباعه أنهم مدركون أمره الله أن يضرب البحر بعصاه لتكون نجاته وليكون هلاك فرعون الذي جعله الله عبرة للآخرين.‏

Muhammad, the Arab Prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca a few months after the death of `Abdullah, his father. Aminah, his mother had died when he was six. Thus he was brought up by `Abdul-Muttalib, his grandfather, then by Abu Talib, his uncle. He worked as a shepherd for a time. At the age of 25 he married Khadijah, who gave him optimum support. When he came to the age of forty, Muhammad received the Divine Revelation and started to invite the people of Mecca to believe that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. Suffering severe persecution in Mecca, he allowed his followers to migrate to Yathrib (now Medina). This took place in the year 622 A.D. which, later on, became the starting point of the Hijri calendar. In Medina, the Prophet Muhammad established a state which was the nucleus of the Muslim empire. In the 10th Hijri year, he went to Mecca and performed the Farewell Hajj, shortly after which he died at the age of 63.

‏محمد (صلى الله عليه وسلم) : النبي الأمي العربي، من بني هاشم، ولد في مكة بعد وفاة أبيه عبد الله بأشهر قليلة، توفيت أمه آمنة وهو لا يزال طفلا، كفله جده عبد المطلب ثم عمه أبو طالب، ورعى الغنم لزمن، تزوج من السيدة خديجة بنت خويلد وهو في الخامسة والعشرين من عمره، دعا الناس إلى الإسلام أي إلى الإيمان بالله الواحد ورسوله، بدأ دعوته في مكة فاضطهده أهلها فهاجر إلى المدينة حيث اجتمع حوله عدد من الأنصار عام 622 م فأصبحت هذه السنة بدء التاريخ الهجري، توفي بعد أن حج حجة الوداع.‏