وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ 85
Translations
And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient.
Transliteration
Wa-Ismaila wa-Idris wa-dha al-kifl, kullun min al-sabirin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah mentions three righteous prophets—Ishmael, Enoch (Idris), and Dhul-Kifl—as exemplars of patience (sabr) in their missions and trials. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that these prophets endured hardships in conveying Allah's message, with Ishmael's patience being particularly highlighted in his willingness to submit to Allah's command, Idris being elevated to a high station despite worldly rejection, and Dhul-Kifl maintaining his covenant with Allah despite opposition. The ayah groups them together to underscore that patience is a defining characteristic of all messengers of Allah.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Anbiya, revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), contextualizes the struggles of earlier prophets. This ayah appears within a passage (verses 73-86) that honors numerous prophets and their steadfastness, serving to console the Prophet and believers by showing that all messengers faced trials requiring patience.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest reward comes to those who are patient' (Sunan Ibn Majah). Additionally, regarding Idris, the Quran states he was 'raised to a high station' (19:57), reflecting hadith traditions about his elevated spiritual rank among the prophets.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that patience through trials is not merely personal virtue but the hallmark of those closest to Allah; believers facing difficulties can draw strength from these prophetic examples, knowing that steadfastness in faith and righteousness brings honor in both worlds.
Related Ayahs
فَلَمَّآ أَحَسُّوا۟ بَأْسَنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنْهَا يَرْكُضُونَ
And when they [i.e., its inhabitants] perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it.
بَلْ تَأْتِيهِم بَغْتَةً فَتَبْهَتُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ رَدَّهَا وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them, and they will not be able to repel it, nor will they be reprieved.
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَـٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"
بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَـٰثُ أَحْلَـٰمٍۭ بَلِ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ بَلْ هُوَ شَاعِرٌ فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِـَٔايَةٍ كَمَآ أُرْسِلَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ
But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."