Who is Idris in Islam?

What the Quran says

The Quran's words about Idris are few but full of honor:

He is also named with Ishmael and Dhul-Kifl as one of "the patient" (Quran 21:85). That's all the Quran tells us directly, and that's enough for a Muslim's belief: he was a truthful, patient prophet loved by Allah.

Is Idris the same as Enoch?

Many classical scholars and commentators say yes. In Genesis, Enoch "walked with God, and he was not, for God took him" (Genesis 5:24), which reminds many readers of "We raised him to a high station." In this view, Idris lived between Adam and Noah, making him one of the earliest prophets. See Do Muslims believe in Adam and Eve?

Not everyone agrees. A few early scholars suggested Idris might be the same as Ilyas (Elijah), and others say we simply don't know who he matches in the Bible. Since the Quran doesn't say, it's fine to leave the question open. See Do Muslims believe in the Bible?

Meeting the Prophet ﷺ in the fourth heaven

On the night journey of Isra and Mi'raj, the Prophet ﷺ was taken up through the heavens and greeted by earlier prophets. He met Idris in the fourth heaven, and Idris welcomed him as "the righteous brother and the righteous prophet." The narration then quotes "And We raised him to a high station" (Sahih Muslim 162). Many scholars understand the "high station" as this rank, or as his high status in general. See What is Isra and Mi'raj?

Stories you may hear

Later books say Idris was the first to write with a pen, the first to sew clothes, or that he studied the stars. These come from old reports without a strong chain, so treat them as interesting history, not as certain facts of faith.