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HAZRAT IDREES alaihis-salaam




Almighty Allah says in Surah Maryam: "And (also) mention Idrees in this Book (The Quran). Indeed he was a most truthful Prophet. And We had elevated him to a high place." (Verses 56, 57) These verses show how great and high-ranking a Prophet he was in the Eyes of Allah. The name Idrees appears only twice in the Holy Quran.




This was the third Nabi of the world, coming after Nabi }dam and Nabi Sheeth (alaihimas-salaam). Hazrat Idrees (alaihis-salaam) was born 308 years before the death of Nabi }dam, and was from the sixth generation of Hazrat }dam's offspring. Between him and Hazrat }dam were five grandfathers and great-grandfathers. His father was Ya rid bin Mahla-yeel. Between Hazrat Idrees and Hazrat Nooh, (the Nabi who was going to come after him), there was a period of one thousand years. He was among the ancestors of Hazrat Nooh (alaihis-salaam). Allah had revealed to Hazrat Idrees (alaihis-salaam) thirty suhuf (scrolls).



HIS ACHIEVEMENTS



Hazrat Idrees (alaihis-salaam) was the first person to write with the pen, thus becoming the inventor of writing in this world. He was also the first to manufacture weapons, and with the same weapons he waged jihad against the children of Qaabeel. After the death of Qaabeel, the generations that came after him had rejected Allah and His Prophets. So Hazrat Idrees waged war against them, for they had now become the enemies of Allah. Hazrat Idrees (alaihis-salaam) was granted by Allah knowledge of astronomy and arithmetic, and he taught this to people. He also invented the art of sewing clothes, at a time when people used the skins of animals to cover their bodies. Hazrat Idrees taught people how to sew clothing. Another practice introduced by him into the world was the method of measuring and weighing. All this knowledge came to him through Wahi (revelation) from Allah.



HIS DEMISE



We again have different views among the Ulema as to how he died. A very strong narration says that when the time came for Hazrat Idrees (alaihissalaam) to die, he was lifted up to the fourth heaven and that was where the Angel of Death extracted his rooh. The next Prophet after Idrees (alaihissalaam) was Hazrat Nooh (alaihis-salaain).