Do Muslims believe in Elijah?
Yes, Muslims believe in Elijah. In the Quran he is called Ilyas, and he is named as one of Allah's messengers. Muslims honor him as a righteous prophet who called his people back to the worship of the One God.
Elijah in the Quran
The Quran mentions Ilyas twice by name. In Surah al-An'am he is listed among the prophets, next to Zechariah, John and Jesus: "all were of the righteous" (Quran 6:85). In Surah as-Saffat, Allah says plainly:
Believing in him is part of believing in all of Allah's prophets, which every Muslim does. See Do I have to believe in all the prophets to become Muslim?
His message: against the worship of Baal
The Quran tells a short version of his story. Elijah asked his people, "Will you not fear Allah? Do you call upon Baal and leave the best of creators?" (Quran 37:124–125). Most of them rejected him, except the sincere servants of Allah. The passage ends with a greeting of honor: "Peace upon Elias" (Quran 37:130).
If you grew up with the Bible, this will sound familiar. The Old Testament also shows Elijah standing up to the prophets of Baal. Muslims see the shared core as true: one God, and no worship of idols. Details found only in the Bible are neither confirmed nor rejected unless the Quran or authentic hadith speak about them. See Do Muslims believe in the Bible?
Elisha is there too
His successor Elisha also appears in the Quran as al-Yasa', listed among "the best" (Quran 38:48) and among those favored above the worlds (Quran 6:86). That same verse also names Jonah. See Do Muslims believe in Jonah and the whale?
Is Elijah still alive?
You may hear stories that Elijah never died and still roams the earth, sometimes together with al-Khidr. These stories come from weak reports and older traditions, not from the Quran or a sound hadith, so most scholars don't accept them. A few early scholars also suggested that Ilyas and Idris are the same person, but the majority treat them as two different prophets. These are side questions; they don't affect your faith.
- Elijah is called Ilyas in the Quran and is a messenger of Allah.
- He called his people away from the idol Baal (Quran 37:123–132).
- Elisha (al-Yasa') is also honored in the Quran.
- Stories that he is still alive aren't based on authentic sources.
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