Tree of the Prophets
Show in treeThe 25 prophets
MessengerProphet 19 of 25

Ilyas peace be upon him

A messenger to the Children of Israel, descended from Harun according to historians. He was sent to a people who worshipped the idol Ba'l (Baal).

Rasul (messenger): a prophet sent with a message to a people. Marked here when the Quran explicitly calls him a messenger; scholars also count others, such as Dawud, who was given the Zabur. Nabi (prophet): one who receives revelation from Allah. Every messenger is a prophet, but not every prophet is a messenger.

Sent to
A people who worshipped Ba'l
Region
The Levant
Named in the Quran
2 times by name

Key events

  1. Named among the messengers (37:123).
  2. Called his people to leave Ba'l and worship "Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers" (37:125-126).
  3. His people rejected him, except Allah's sincere servants (37:127-128).
  4. Allah left him an honoured mention: "Peace be upon Ilyasin" (37:129-130).

Lesson

Holding firm to the oneness of Allah amid widespread idolatry.

In the Quran

Lineage from Adam

  1. Adam
  2. Shith
  3. Idris
  4. Nuh
  5. Sam
  6. Azar
  7. Ibrahim
  8. Ishaq
  9. Ya'qub
  10. Lawi
  11. 'Imran
  12. Harun
  13. Ilyas

About the lineage: One report given by historians such as Ibn Kathir: Ilyas son of Yasin son of Finhas son of al-'Ayzar son of Harun. Other chains are also reported.