How many nations and tribes were destroyed? Where, how and why?

Various prophets and apostles were sent by Allah to the nations that went astray. Among
those prophets whose names we know, only five of them are Arabs. The other prophets
belong to other races. The following is stated in a hadith regarding the issue:

Among those prophets whose names are included in the Quran, only five of them are
Arabs. They are as follows: Hz. Ismail, Hz. Shuayb, Hz. Salih, Hz. Hud and Hz. Muhammad
(peace be upon them).

They were all prophets in the regions where Arabs lived. Hz. Shuayb lived in the region of
Madyan, Hz. Salih in the region of Hijr and Hz. Hud in the region of Ahqaf; almost all of their
nations were destroyed. 

The destruction of the nations of Ad, Thamud and the nation of Shuayb, the Flood of Arim,
which destroyed the nation of Saba, the incident of Ashab al-Uhdud and the incident of Fil
(Elephant) all took place on Arab land known as Bilad al-Arab. 

The place where the Pharaoh and his men, who were enemies of Hz. Musa, where Qarun
(Croesus) and Haman were destroyed was Egypt.

The disaster that eliminated the nation of Lut, and the slight punishment given to the
nation of Ilyas took place in Bilad ad-Dimashq (Damascus).

The destruction of the nation of Nuh, the destruction of Nimrod, who was an enemy of
Ibrahim, and Nimrod's men and what happened to the nation of Yunus, who were saved
from Allah's wrath in the last minute, took place in Iraq. 

It is possible to mention a special property that distinguishes a prophet from others whose
stories are narrated in the Quran.

For instance, we see that each one of the prophets mentioned in the chapter of al-Anam
has different characters and is a pioneer of something.

Accordingly, Hz. Nuh is the first prophet who struggled against idolaters.

Hz. Ishaq and Hz. Yaqub are the ancestors of all the prophets sent to Children of Israel.

Hz. Dawud and Hz. Sulayman are distinguished by their property and sultanate; Hz. Ayyub
and Hz. Yusuf differ from other prophets in terms of testing and patience.

Hz. Musa and Hz. Harun are distinguished with the power of weakening, majesty and
overwhelming power. Hz. Zakariyya, Hz. Yaqub, Hz. Isa and Hz. Ilyas are models for
asceticism, spirituality and sacrifice.

Similarly, each individual and nation that is destroyed has different properties from others
and they are the first ones that committed those bad deeds among people.
It is possible to divide human history into three periods in terms of this issue. Besides, it is
possible to deal with the destruction of individuals and nations under two headings as
before Hz. Muhammad (pbuh) and after him.

The eras of human history according to the Quran:

Qurun al-Ula (The First Generations): The period between Hz. Adam and Hz. Moses
when  the Pharaoh was destroyed and the Torah  was sent down. 

The Nation of Nuh, the Prophet Nuh

It is stated in the Quran that Ashab ar-Ras denied their prophets along with the nation of
Nuh, Ad and Thamud; there is no other information.

The Nation of Ad, the Prophet Hud

The Nation of Thamud, the Prophet Salih

The Nation of Lut, the Prophet Lut

The Nation of Shuayb (the People of Madyan and Ayka), the Prophet Shuayb    

Qurun al-Wusta (the Middle Generations): The period from the time of the destruction of
the Pharaoh or the revelation of the Torah to the time when Hz. Muhammad (pbuh) was
sent.

Ashab al-Qarya: Ashab al-Qarya is a Quranic expression meaning the people of village or

town. The phrase Ashab al-Qarya mentioned in the chapter of Yasin indicates a community
that lived in Antakya (Antioch), Turkey. Allah sent two messengers and then one more
messenger to the people of this town. When the messengers told them that they were
messengers sent to them by Allah, they denied the messengers by saying, "You are only
men like ourselves." (Yasin, 36/15) They even said to the messengers that they brought evil
omen to them and threatened to stone them if they did not leave. During this conversation,
somebody from the other end of the town arrived there by running and told the people of the
town to believe in those messengers. The ferocious unbelievers killed this person, who
expressed the truth logically. When those three messengers, whom they did not believe in,
left that town, a strong noise caught the people of the town. They were destroyed with that
sound. 

The Nation of Saba' (Sayl al-Arim): Saba is mentioned in two chapters in the Quran. In
the chapter of an-Naml (27/20-44), it is stated that Saba, which was a rich and powerful
country, was directed by a queen, that its people worshipped the sun, that Hz. Sulayman
sent a messenger to that queen and asked her and her nation to become Muslims, that the
queen who wanted to deal with the issue through peace went to Jerusalem to meet
Sulayman, that she understood during this meeting that he was a real prophet when she
noticed his bodily and spiritual power and that she accepted his domination. There are
narrations in history and tafsir resources that Hz. Sulayman married her or he married her
off to the king of Hamdan and allowed her to remain as the queen of Saba. In the chapter of
Saba, whose name is derived from this nation, it is stated that the powerful nation of Saba
with wealth and welfare gave up worshipping Allah by obeying Satan despite so many
bounties given to them, that they were punished by a big flood (Flood of Arim), that their
fertile land was transformed into arid land and that their bounties were transformed into
shortages. Regarding the date of the demolition of the wall, historians mention various
dates between 4th century BC and 6th century AD. This difference can be explained by the
possibility of the repetition of the disaster.

Ashab al-Jannah (People of the Garden): The issue mentioned at length in verses 17-32
of the chapter of al-Qalam (68) is about some siblings who did not make good use of the
garden like Paradise they inherited from their father and their ungrateful attitude toward
Allah, who granted them that bounty, and their losing this bounty. It is said that this incident
that happened to the People of the Garden was known by Arabs. 

Ashab as-Sabt: The punishment of Ashab as-Sabt is mainly mentioned in the chapter of al-
Araf and also in the chapters of al-Baqara and an-Nisa. WhenAshab as-Sabt (the People of
Saturday) is mentioned, Jews come to mind. However, when Ashab as-Sabt is mentioned in
the Quran, not all Jews but the Jews that disobeyed Allah by violating the holiness of
Saturday and that were transformed into monkeys and pigs because of it come to mind.

Ashab al-Uhdud: The term Ashab al-Uhdud is mentioned only in verse 4 of the chapter of
al-Buruj in the Quran. Ashab al-Uhdud means the people of the ditch. This story is about a
fire made by a group of unbelievers in order to burn the believers, the test the believers
undergo in these ditches of fire and the destruction of those unbelievers. This incident is
very well known by the Makkan polytheists; therefore, they are threatened by the terrible
punishment given to them and the believers who are exposed to the tortures of the
unbelievers are reassured. This story will continue to serve as a morale booster for the
believers and as a threat to unbelievers.

The Nation of Tubba': It is mentioned in two places in the Quran: the chapter of ad-Duhan
and the chapter of Qaf.

It is controversial whether Tubba is a person or a dynasty of kings. It is reported from Abu

Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "I do not know whether Tubba is a prophet
or not." Hz. Aisha said, "Do not curse Tubba because he was a righteous person. Allah
criticized his nation, not him."

Ibn Abbas said he was a prophet. According to a view, Tubba used to be a fire-worshipper
but he became a Muslim afterwards and called his nation to accept Islam. His nation
opposed him and committed big sins; therefore, they were destroyed. The most important
characteristic of the nation of Tubba was probably the fact that they were the closest
community to the Makkan polytheists among the destroyed nations. (For narrations and
more information, see Zamakhshari, Kashshaf, IV, 279-280)

Ashab al-Fil: A very short time before the advent of Islam, an astonishing incident took
place in the Arabian Peninsula. Abraha built a very big church called "Qullays" in the city of
San'a in Yemen. Thus, he aimed to make all Arabs abandon the Kaaba, which they visited
for hajj, and come to his church. Abraha, who wanted to demolish the Kaaba with this
intention, and his army were destroyed. The chapter of al-Fil, which was sent down upon
this incident is as follows: 

"Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the Companions of the Elephant? Did He not make
their treacherous plan go astray? And He sent against them flights of Birds, Striking them
with stones of baked clay. Then did He make them like an empty field of stalks and straw,
(of which the corn) has been eaten up."
              
Qurun al-Ukhra (The Last Generations): It is the time period between the advent of Hz.
Muhammad (pbuh) with Islam and the Doomsday, which is also called the end of time. 

Those killed in Badr: Ashab al-Kalib (Makkan polytheists)   

Jews around Madinah

o    Banu Qaynuqa 

o    Banu Nadr       

o    Banu Qurayza   

              
The individuals that were punished by Allah and mentioned in the Quran

Before the Messenger of Allah (pbuh):

Nuh's Son       

Nuh's Wife           

Lut's Wife             

Nimrod  

The Pharaoh and Children of Israel  

Qarun     

Haman   

Samiri     

Bal'am   

Jalut       

One of the two men, whose garden (property) was destroyed only           
 
During the time of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)
Abu Lahab         

Abu Jahl           

Walid B. Mughira

Nadr B. al-Harith

Ka'b B. Ashraf     

Abu Amir, a Christian priest            

The examples of the incidents related to the wrath of God presented by the Quran serves to
make man avoid the deeds of those people. Therefore, the elements of time and date are
not mentioned much in those incidents.

There is no information in the Quran stating that such and such a nation lived in this or that
year, stating the date exactly. Similarly, the element of place is not given much importance
in the Quran.

The reason for this is the viewpoint of the Quran related to history. When the Quran
narrates historical incidents, it deals with the characteristics of the people and the attitudes
of the communities; it analyzes them in detail. The Quran emphasizes how attitudes are
evaluated by Allah.

Thus, the Quran gives man a list of things he needs to do and not to do.

While doing so, the Quran explains in detail and in a way that man can understand the
basic philosophy and approach that need to be dominant in his deeds in order to attain
happiness both in the world and the hereafter.

The issue of wrath is present in the parts that are known as stories. From this point of view,
the most important topic of stories is the incidents related to wrath. The first addressees of
the Quran described the Quran as "tales of the ancients" (al-An'am 6/25) when they denied
it. Today, the issue that those who deny the Quran refer to the most is the stories in the
Quran. The orientalists, who does it using scientific methods, and their representatives in
the Islamic world work hard in order to bring about doubts in the minds of people regarding
the stories in the Quran and to show them as unreal stories. 

It is true that some of the stories that exist in the Torah also exist in the Quran. However,
there are usually differences between them.

Regarding those stories narrated both in the Quran and the Torah, the Quran  is a judge,
showing the real nature of the distorted parts of the Torah.

Besides, another important aspect of the stories is that some stories that are present in the
Quran do not exist in the Torah. The Quran has a different originality in terms of this aspect.
Even the Makkan polytheists, the first addressees of the Quran that regarded the Quran as
the tales of the ancient people, were surprised when they heard these stories, which were
sent through revelation; they did not object to them at all.

The reason why stories and especially the scenes describing individuals and
communities hit by the wrath of Allah exist so much in the Quran is that it aims to
enable man to protect himself from these possible dangers that will happen when he
deviates. From this point of view, the parts of the Quran that include scenes of wrath are the
most important parts of the Quran, which is a divine warning. As a matter of fact, it
functioned like that for the first people it addressed and it will continue functioning so in the
future too. Allah reminded the polytheists that they knew what happened to the previous
nations and that they will be hit by the wrath of Allah like the previous nations if they do not
accept the signs of Allah.

The main idea of these parts is that among the nations that will exist up to the Day of
Judgment, the end of those who oppose the orders and prohibitions of Allah and who
insist on unbelief, polytheism, oppression and cruelty will not be any different from
that of the previous nations.

To sum up, the reason why the verses of wrath are present abundantly without emphasizing
the elements of place and time but emphasizing the characteristics of the people in the
Quran is to tell people that Allah's law functions in the same way for similar situations and to
enable them to protect themselves from falling into a bad situation like that.  

Thus, through stories, the message of the Quran “If they do not accept the signs of Allah,
they will be destroyed like the previous nations" to its addressees makes its addressees
understand the message fully in the form of unforgettable scenes thanks to the scenes from
real events.

The stories repeated so much in the Quran has been a point of interest for especially
historians and tafsir scholars. However, the fact that some stories also existed in the Torah
and that some scholars completed some of the stories that were not explained in the Quran
with the information included in the Torah and Gospel caused some superstitions and
wrong information to be included in those history and tafsir resources.    

What is saddening here is the fact that the scholars who included these kinds of narrations
in their books did not usually mention whether they took them from the Bible or another
source knowingly or unknowingly. These parts that are presented as the interpretation of
verses pose the danger of being understood as the explanation of the religion and the
revelation regarding the issue since the source of the information is not stated.

In fact, God did not explain those issues because they were not important. While filling the
parts of the story that are not explained with sources out of Islam, the source of the
information must be mentioned and warnings as the following ones must be included:  “The
issue is explained based on the Torah or based on such and such a person.”

Divine wrath, which forms the most horrible disaster in the universe, and destruction as a
result of this wrath were conducted very few times in the history of mankind but it is a divine
law that is repeated if people form the conditions necessary for it.

The infliction of wrath upon an individual or a community takes place after the formation of a
long transformation process. During this process, the Creator sends various warnings to
those who deny and go astray. These warnings tell the individuals and communities who
rebel against Allah and who are in a war against Allah that a big misfortune is coming.
Those who get the message and abandon fighting religious, holy things, who give up the
claim of being a deity and avoid oppression protect themselves from the wrath due to the
nature of divine laws.   

However, the deniers who insist on unbelief, who do not give up fighting against divine
values and who dedicate themselves to fighting religious values attract the wrath of Allah
are punished and destroyed by Him.

The types of wrath and disasters sent to the previous deniers from the ground and sky will
serve to remain as a fact that can take place anytime and anywhere Allah wishes.:

“Say: "He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover
you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance― each
from the other.” (al-An’am 6/65)

The interest in and the tendency toward the changes contrary to revelation in the nature of
man that the Quran dwells upon will end up with the loss of those who do so as the
Quran states.

At that point, the Quran lays emphasis on the criteria and principles of saving man from
loss. It does so by drawing attention to the previous ummahs, prophets and the changes
that they underwent.

There is no doubt that there are ways of protection from this big disaster in the law of Allah,
who imposes all of the rules of the universe perfectly down to the last detail.

The Quran, which is the holy script of the last religion, informs us about those ways of
protection.

The first one of it is as follows: man needs to remember that he is a slave in the eye of his
Creator and act accordingly. He must not struggle against Allah by forgetting that he is a
slave. 

The second one: Man needs to pray Allah, ask for forgiveness and repent for his sins
throughout his life. Similar ways of protection from divine wrath are mentioned in the Quran.

For detailed information and resources, see Hatice BAŞKAYA, Kur’ân-ı Kerim’de Allah
Teâlâ’nın Gazabına Uğramış İnsanlar Ve Toplumlar, Harran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler
Enstitüsü Temel İslam Bilimleri Anabilim Dalı Tefsir Bilim Dalı  (Yüksek Lisans Tezi),
Şanlıurfa, 2007.

Note: We advise you to read the following article of Bahattin AKBAŞ, an expert in the High
Council of Religious Affairs:

The Nations that were Destroyed and the Reasons why they were Destroyed

Allah gave man, who is the most honorable creature, intellect and will, and encumbered him
with some responsibilities. Allah guided man by sending prophets and books so that he can
fulfill those responsibilities. The Quran is the last holy book sent by Allah to Hz. Muhammad
(pbuh). The addressee of this book is the whole mankind and its purpose is to ensure their
happiness in the world and the hereafter. In order to fulfill this purpose, it is necessary for us
to read and understand the Quran and to obey its orders and prohibitions.  

It is Allah who creates man and shapes him spiritually and physically and who makes him
live. It is the most important duty of every Muslim to know, approach and worship Allah, who
puts the universe under his order. Man needs to accept the revelation Allah sent through
His prophet and the sunnah of the Prophet as his guide. The Quran, which is a source of
endless knowledge, wisdom and happiness, is a sublime book that enlightens the mind and
heart, that enlightens the realms with its light, that cures spirits and that enables man to
have a strong conscience and belief.  

Therefore, we need to accept the Quran as our guide, to study carefully what Allah tells us
in it and to meditate on them. As a matter of fact, Allah states that the reason why the
Quran was sent is to make man think:

ِ ‫واب ِه َولِ َي ْعلَ ُمو ْاَأ َّن َماه َُوِإلَـ ٌه َوا ِحد ٌَولِ َي َّذ َّك َرُأ ْولُو ْااَأل ْل َبا‬
‫ب‬ َ ‫َـذا َبالَ ٌغلِّل َّناسِ َولِ ُي‬
ِ ‫نذ ُر‬ َ ‫ه‬ 
 
"Here is a Message for mankind: let them take warning therefrom, and let them know that
He is (no other than) One God: let men of understanding take heed.” (Ibrahim,14/52)

The news about the previous nations, which forms an important part of the Quran, is one of
the issues that need to be meditated on. Most of those nations denied the prophets sent to
them and treated them as enemies. Allah states in the Quran that these incidents of
destructions due to their deviation should be lessons for those who come to the world after
them. For instance, the following verse tells us about the punishment given to a group of
Jews, who opposed Allah:   

  َ‫اخ ْل َف َه َاو َم ْوعِ َظ ًةلِّ ْل ُم َّتقِين‬

َ ‫َف َج َع ْل َناهَا َن َكاالًلِّ َما َب ْي َن َيدَ ْي َه َاو َم‬

“So We made it an example to their own time and to their posterity, and a lesson to those
who fear Allah." (al-Baqara,2/66)

Most of the incidents of destruction mentioned in the Quran has been known and seen
thanks to archeological excavations.

Every nation and community have a lifespan like all living beings; they are born, live and
die. There is no eternal nation in history. Nations also pass away when their lifespan ends
like human beings. It is a necessity of the system established by Allah in the universe.

The following is stated about the destroyed nations in the Quran:

 
“Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand.
Neither can a people anticipate its Term, nor delay it.” (al-Hijr,15/4-5)

The words “qarya”, (1) and  “ummah” (2) are used about the destroyed nations in the
Quran. These words mean the people in a country, generations, small or big communities.
(3)

Communities die when their lifespan ends. Their term cannot be lengthened or shortened,
and quickened or shortened. Only Allah knows this term. When it is due, they are
destroyed.  

“There is a term for every community, every nation, whether big or small and every state in
the eye of Allah. Not all of those who deny the prophets of Allah, the polytheists, unruly
people, atheists, oppressors, rebels, and immoral people all over the world are punished all
of a sudden and at the same time. Each nation has a term. An evil that causes a nation to
be destroyed at a certain period of time might take less or more time for another. However,
when their appointed time reaches, it cannot be delayed or advanced. They are destroyed.”
(4) This issue is stated as follows in the Quran:

ٌ ‫ َولِ ُكُأِّل َّم ٍةَأ َجل‬  “ َ‫اع ًة َوالَ َي ْس َت ْق ِد ُمون‬

َ ‫س‬َ ‫اجاءَأ َجلُ ُه ْمالَ َي ْس َتْأ ِخ ُرو َن‬
َ ‫َفِإ َذ‬
 
“To every people is a term appointed: when their term is reached not an hour can they
cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation).” (al-Araf,7/34)

It is stated in the following verse that this appointed time never changes:

“But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come: and Allah
is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.” (al-Munafiqun, 63/11)

According to the Quran, a person dies only with the permission of Allah:

“Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave the term being fixed as by writing. If any do
desire a reward in this life, We shall give it to him; and if any do desire a reward in the
Hereafter, We shall give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve Us with)
gratitude."  (Aal-i Imran 3/145)

“The wrath and destruction of every ummah is recorded in the Preserved Tablet (Lawh al-
Mahfuz). When the causes and conditions written there occur, they are destroyed.” (5) Allah
states the following in the Quran:

ً ‫اب َم ْس ُط‬
 ‫ورا‬ ِ ‫شدِيدًا َكا َن َذلِ َكفِيا ْل ِك َت‬ َ ‫َوِإ ْن ِم ْن َق ْر َي ٍةِإاَّل َن ْح ُن ُم ْهلِ ُكوهَا َق ْبلَ َي ْومِا ْلقِ َيا َم ِةَأ ْو ُم َع ِّذ ُبوه‬
َ ‫َاع َذا ًبا‬

“There is not a population but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment or punish it
with a dreadful Penalty: That is written in the (eternal) Record.”(al-Isra, 17/58)

It is Allah who predestinates the time of destruction for ummahs and individuals. It is not
possible for anyone to die outside this predestination and time and for any ummah to be
destroyed. As it is stated in the verses, every community and every individual have
appointed terms. When it is due, the individuals and communities die. People cannot know
this appointed term; only Allah knows it. 

According to the Quran, the people themselves cause the destruction of their nations. There
lies the reason for the destruction of nations. Allah is merciful. His mercy surrounds
everything. Allah does not wrong people; He gives them abundant rewards in return for their
good deeds. He does not punish people for all of their bad deeds; He forgives some of
them.      

“Allah is never unjust in the least degree: if there is any good (done) He doubleth it, and
giveth from His own presence a great reward.”(an-Nisa, 4/40)

َ ُ‫اسَأنف‬
َ‫س ُه ْم َي ْظلِ ُمون‬ َ ‫ش ْيًئ َاولَـ ِك َّنال َّن‬ َ ‫إ َّناللّ َهالَ َي ْظلِ ُمال َّن‬
َ ‫اس‬

“Verily Allah will not deal unjustly with man in aught: it is man that wrongs his own
soul”(Yunus10/44)   The verses above state that Allah does not treat people unjustly; they
state that misfortunes hit people due to their own mistakes and that the people who rebel
against Allah treat themselves unjustly.

  َ‫سلُ ُه ْمبِا ْل َب ِّي َنات َِو َما َكا ُنوالِ ُيْؤ ِم ُنوا َك َذلِ َك َن ْج ِزيا ْل َق ْو َما ْل ُم ْج ِرمِين‬
ُ ‫اء ْت ُه ْم ُر‬ َ ‫َولَ َقدْ َأهْ لَ ْك َناا ْلقُ ُرو َن ِم ْن َق ْبلِ ُك ْملَ َّم‬
َ ‫اظلَ ُم‬
َ ‫واو َج‬

Generations before you We destroyed when they did wrong: their Messengers came to
them with Clear Signs, but they would not believe! Thus do We requite those who sin.
(Yunus, 10/13)

َ‫السمَاءِ َواَأْل ْرضِ َولَ ِك ْن َك َّذ ُبوا َفَأ َخ ْذ َناه ُْم ِب َما َكا ُنوا َي ْكسِ ُبون‬ َ ‫َولَ ْوَأ َّنَأهْ اَل ْلقُ َرىآ َم ُن‬
َ ‫واوا َّت َق ْوالَ َف َت ْح َن‬
َّ ‫اعلَ ْي ِه ْم َب َر َكاتٍ ِم ْن‬
 
“If the people of the towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have
opened out to them (all kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the
truth) and We brought them to book for their misdeeds. (al-Araf, 7/96)

َ‫اس َن ْس َتدْ ِر ُج ُهم ِّم ْن َح ْي ُثالَ َي ْعلَ ُمون‬

َ ‫َوالَّذِي َن َك َّذ ُبو ْابِآ َياتِ َن‬
   
“Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they
perceive not.” (al-Araf,7/182)

The destruction of nations is because of the oppression and bad deeds they commit. Allah
does not change the good characteristics of a nation unless they themselves change them.
The following is stated in a verse: 

‫ واذااراداللهبقومسوءافالمردلهومالهممندونهمنوال‬  ‫اناللهاليغيرمابقومختىيغيروامابانفسهم‬

“Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves
(with their own souls). But when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no
turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him any to protect” (Ra’d, 13/11)

According to the verse above, people keep living in welfare and peace as long as they keep
doing good deeds. The destruction of communities is caused by their own bad deeds like
mischief, corruption, anarchy and terror. (6)
If immorality, injustice, oppression and evil deeds increase in a community and nobody tries
to prevent them, that community is punished and destroyed. Allah replaces them with
another community. This issue is stated as follows: in the Quran:

“How many were the populations we utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up
in their places other peoples.” (al-Anbiya, 21/11)

Many nations lived and passed away. Why did those nations not survive? Why were they
destroyed? According to the Quran, some nations were destroyed while they were in
poverty and hardship while others were destroyed while they were in welfare and wealth. (7)

According to what the Quran tells us, Allah sent prophets to all nations to guide people; the
prophets called them to belief and obedience and asked them to give up debauchery,
oppression and rebellion. However, most of them did not accept the call of the prophets and
denied them; some of them even killed their prophets by torturing them. Allah warned those
nations several times but He destroyed them because they did not improve themselves.
This issue is stated as follows: in the Quran:

َ ‫ار َاو َج َع ْل َنااَأل ْن َه‬

‫ار َت ْج ِريمِن َت ْحتِ ِه ْم َفَأهْ لَ ْك َناهُمبِ ُذ ُنوبِ ِه ْم َوَأ ْن‬ ً ‫اءعلَ ْي ِهم ِّمدْ َر‬ َ ‫َألَ ْم َي َر ْو ْا َك ْمَأهْ لَ ْك َنامِن َق ْبلِ ِهم ِّمن َق ْرنٍ َّم َّك َّناه ُْمفِياَأل ْرضِ َمالَ ْم ُن َم ِّكنلَّ ُك ْم َوَأ ْر‬
َّ ‫س ْل َن‬
َ ‫االس َم‬
َ‫اآخ ِرين‬ َ
َ ‫ش َنامِن َب ْع ِده ِْمق ْر ًن‬ ‫ْأ‬ َ

“See they not how many of those before them We did destroy?― Generations We had
established on the earth, in strength such as We have not given to you,― for whom We
poured out rain from the skies in abundance, and gave streams flowing beneath their (feet):
yet for their sins We destroyed them, and raised in their wake fresh generations (to succeed
them).” (al-Anam,6/6)

ِّ ‫اعلَ ْي ِه ْمَأ ْب َوا َب ُكل‬َ ‫واب ِه َف َت ْح َن‬

ِ ‫سوا َما ُذ ِّك ُر‬ ُ ‫َفلَ َّما َن‬
َ‫سون‬ ِ ‫ل‬ ‫ب‬‫م‬ ‫ُم‬
ُ ْ ُ ْ ‫ْ َ ِإ‬‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ َ
‫ذ‬ َ
‫ف‬ ً
‫ة‬ َ
‫ت‬ ‫غ‬ْ ‫ب‬‫ُم‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ا‬ َ
‫ن‬ ْ
‫ذ‬ َ
‫خ‬ ‫َأ‬ ‫وا‬ ُ
‫ت‬ ‫و‬‫ُأ‬ ِ ‫ش ْيءٍ َح َّتىِإ َذا َف ِر ُح‬
‫واب َما‬ َ

“But when they forget the warning they had received, We opened to them the gates of all
(good) things, until, in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts, on a sudden, We called
them to account, when lo! they were plunged in despair!”  (al-Anam 6/44 ) (8)

The verses above state that Allah destroyed previous nations because of their sins and that
they could not escape destruction though they were advanced economically and
technologically.  Allah created new nations instead of those destroyed nations.

The main sins of the destroyed nations are their rebellion against the prophets who called
them to belief, obedience and honesty, and denying their prophets.

An important part of the Quran gives scenes from the stories and lives of previous nations
and prophets. These stories are not narrated so that they will be read only but so that
people will take lessons from them. These stories are full of important lessons, wisdom and
advice. Therefore, we need to read those verses carefully and take lessons from them.

Now we can mention the reasons for the destruction of some nations.
NUH'S NATION

After Hz. Adam, the number of human beings increased; they built several towns on earth
but they started to deviate from the true religion and to worship idols. Allah sent Hz. Nuh as
a prophet to the people but they did not heed his advice; they even made fun of him. When
Hz. Nuh gave up hope of his nation's belief, he asked Allah to destroy them. Allah ordered
him to build a ship and to embark the believers and a pair of each animal species. After
that, the earth was flooded by a great deluge. Those who did not believe were drowned and
destroyed. (9) The reason for the destruction of the nation of Nuh is narrated as follows in
the Quran:

َ‫س َن ٍةِإاَّل َخ ْمسِ ي َن َعا ًما َفَأ َخ َذ ُه ُمال ُّطو َفا ُن َوه ُْم َظالِ ُمون‬
َ ‫وحاِإلَى َق ْو ِم ِه َفلَ ِب َثفِي ِه ْمَأ ْل َف‬ َ ‫َولَ َقدْ َأ ْر‬
ً ‫س ْل َنا ُن‬

“We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty:
but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin." (al-Ankabut, 29/14)

‫ارا‬ َ ‫ارا َفلَ ْم َي ِجدُوالَ ُهم ِّمندُونِاللَّ ِهَأ‬

ً ‫نص‬ ً ‫اخطِ يَئ اتِ ِه ْمُأ ْغ ِرقُوا َفُأدْ ِخلُوا َن‬
َ ‫ِم َّم‬

“Because of their sins they were drowned (in the flood) and were made to enter the Fire (of
Punishment): and they found― in lieu of Allah― none to help them.” (Nuh, 71/25)

The nation of Nuh was destroyed because they rebelled against Allah and His prophet and
because they indulged in oppression, unbelief and sins.  

THE NATION OF AD

Allah sent Hz. Hud as a prophet to the people of Ad living in the region of Yemen. The
nation of Ad had a lot of bounties; they constructed pompous buildings. Hz Hud, showed
miracles to the nation of Ad, who insisted on polytheism and unbelief, and asked them to
believe in the oneness of Allah. However, they were destroyed by a strong wind because
they did not heed Hz. Hud and insisted on polytheism. (10)

َ ‫ِيخلَ َق ُه ْم ُه َوَأ‬
ِ ‫ش ُّد ِم ْن ُه ْمقُ َّو ًة َو َكا ُن‬
‫وابآ َياتِ َنا َي ْج َحدُون‬ َ ‫اس َت ْك َب ُروافِياَأْل ْرضِ ِب َغ ْي ِرا ْل َح ِّق َو َقالُوا َم ْنَأ‬
َ ‫ش ُّد ِم َّناقُ َّو ًةَأ َولَ ْم َي َر ْواَأ َّناللَّ َهالَّذ‬ َ ‫َفَأ َّم‬
ْ ‫اعا ٌد َف‬

“Now the `Ad behaved arrogantly through the land, against (all) truth and reason, and said:
"Who is superior to us in strength?" What! Did they not see that Allah, Who created them,
was superior to them in strength? But they continued to reject Our Signs.” (Fussilat, 41/15)

‫نص ُرون‬ َ ‫مع َذا َبا ْلخ ِْزيِفِيا ْل َح َياةِال ُّد ْن َي َاولَ َع َذا ُباآْل خ َِر ِةَأ ْخ َز‬
َ ‫ىو ُهماَل ْ ُي‬ َ ‫ص ًرافِيَأ َّيا ٍم َّنح‬
َ ‫ِساتٍلِّ ُنذِي َق ُه‬ َ ‫اص ْر‬ ً ‫اعلَ ْي ِه ْم ِر‬
َ ‫يح‬ َ ‫َفَأ ْر‬
َ ‫س ْل َن‬

“So We sent against them a furious Wind through days of disaster, that We might give them
a taste of a Penalty of humiliation in this Life; but the Penalty of the Hereafter will be more
humiliating still: and they will find no help." (Fussilat, 41/16)

.
‫ِالسبِيل َِو َكا ُنوا ُم ْس َت ْب‬ َ ‫ش ْي َطا ُنَأ ْع َمالَ ُه ْم َف‬
َّ ‫صدَّ ه ُْم َعن‬ َ ‫ًاو َث ُمودَ َو َقد َّت َب َّي َنلَ ُكم ِّمن َّم‬
َّ ‫سا ِكنِ ِه ْم َو َز َّي َنلَ ُه ُمال‬ َ ‫اره ِْم َجاثِمِي َن َو َعاد‬ ْ ‫الر ْج َف ُة َفَأ‬
ِ َ‫ص َب ُحوافِيد‬ َّ ‫َف َك َّذ ُبو ُه َفَأ َخ َذ ْت ُه ُم‬
َ‫صِ ِرين‬

"But they rejected him: then the mighty Blast seized them, and they lay prostrate in their
homes by the morning. (Remember also) the `Ad and the Thamud (people): clearly will
appear to you from (the traces) of their buildings (their fate): the Evil One made their deeds
alluring to them, and kept them back from the Path, though they were gifted with
Intelligence and Skill." (al-Ankabut, 29/37-38).

The nation of Ad was destroyed because they showed ingratitude to Allah despite the
bounties He gave to them, and because of their denial and rebellion.

THE NATION OF THAMUD

After the destruction of the nation of Ad, the nation of Thamud lived in the region of Hijr. The
nation of Thamud also had a lot of bounties; they built strong houses, summer and winter
houses by carving mountains and stones. They lived in abundance and welfare; they lived
long. In the course of time, they deviated from the right path and became polytheists. Allah
sent Hz. Salih as a prophet to them. Salih called them to belief in Allah, worshipping and
obedience. He showed them miracles and gave them advice. However, his nation did not
obey him; they denied him. They killed the female camel that was given to them as a
miracle and that they were asked not to touch. Thereupon, all of the nation of Thamud
except Salih and those who believed in him were destroyed by a strong thunder. (11)

ْ ‫صال ًِحاَأن‬
َ‫ِاع ُبدُوااللَّ َه َفِإ َذاه ُْم َف ِري َقانِ َي ْخ َتصِ ُمون‬ َ ‫س ْل َناِإلَى َث ُمودَ َأ َخاه ُْم‬
َ ‫َولَ َقدْ َأ ْر‬

“We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": but behold,
they became two factions quarrelling with each other.” (an-Naml, 27/45)

َ ‫نب ِه ْم َف‬
‫س َّواهَا‬ ِ ‫مب َذ‬ ُ ‫سواُل للَّ ِه َنا َق َةاللَّ ِه َو‬
ِ ‫س ْق َياهَا َف َك َّذ ُبو ُه َف َع َق ُروهَا َفدَ ْمدَ َم َعلَ ْي ِه ْم َر ُّب ُه‬ ْ ‫َك َّذ َب ْت َث ُمود ُِب َط ْغ َواهَاِإذِان َب َع َثَأ‬
ُ ‫ َف َقالَلَ ُه ْم َر‬  ‫ش َقاهَا‬

“But the messenger of Allah said to them: "It is a She-camel of Allah! and (bar her not from)
having her drink!" Then they rejected him (as a false prophet), and they hamstrung her. So
their Lord, on account of their crime, obliterated their traces and made them equal (in
destruction, high and low).”  (ash-Shams, 91/13-14)

THE NATION OF LUT

Hz. Lut was sent to the nation of Sodom in Palestine as a prophet. This nation deviated
from the true path and indulged in denial and rebellion. The men living there stopped having
sexual intercourse with women and started homosexuality. Hz. Lut called his nation to the
true path. They were destroyed when they did not accept this call. (12)

ْ َ‫سقُون‬
ُ ‫اءب َما َكا ُنوا َي ْف‬ َّ ‫نزلُو َن َعلَىَأهْ لِ َه ِذهِا ْل َق ْر َية ِِر ْج ًزا ِّم َن‬
ِ ‫الس َم‬ ِ ‫ام َرَأ َت َك َكا َن ْت ِم َنا ْل َغ‬
ِ ‫ِإ َّنا ُم‬   َ‫اب ِرين‬ ْ ‫ِإ َّنا ُم َن ُّجو َك َوَأهْ لَ َكِإاَّل‬

"Our Messengers said to Lot, "Fear thou not nor grieve: we are (here) to save thee and thy
following, except thy wife: she is of those who lag behind. For we are going to bring down
on the people of this township a Punishment from heaven, because they have been
wickedly rebellious."  (al-Ankabut, 29/33,34)

َ َ‫ساء َبَأْلن ُت ْم َق ْو ٌم َت ْج َهلُون‬

َ ‫ش ْه َو ًة ِّمندُونِال ِّن‬
َ َ‫ونالر َجال‬
ِّ ‫ش َة َوَأن ُت ْم ُت ْبصِ ُرون“َأِئ َّن ُك ْملَ َتْأ ُت‬
َ ‫َولُو ًطاِإ ْذ َقالَلِ َق ْو ِم ِهَأ َتْأ ُتو َنا ْل َفا ِح‬

"We also sent Lut (as a messenger): behold, he said to his people "Do ye do what is
shameful though ye see (its iniquity)? "Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather
than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant!” (an-Naml 27/ 54, 55)

َ‫س ْوءٍ َفاسِ قِين‬

َ ‫َولُو ًطاآ َت ْي َنا ُه ُح ْك ًم َاوعِ ْل ًم َاو َن َّج ْي َنا ُه ِم َنا ْل َق ْر َيةِالَّتِي َكا َنت َّت ْع َماُل ْل َخ َباِئ َثِإ َّن ُه ْم َكا ُنوا َق ْو َم‬

“And to Lut, too, we gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town
which practised abominations: truly they were a people given to Evil, a rebellious people.”
(al-Anbiya ,21/74)

THE PHARAOH AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM

Another nation that is stated to have been destroyed in the Quran is the Pharaoh and those
who followed him. The Pharaoh is a name given to the kings of the ancient Egypt. The
Pharaohs forced Children of Israel to do hard jobs like slaves. Children of Israel, who got
tired of the hard jobs they were forced to do by the Pharaohs and by the polytheistic Copts,
the natives of Egypt, wanted to return to Kanan, the land of their ancestors. However, they
could not do it because they could not get rid of the Pharaoh. Once, a soothsayer told the
Pharaoh that a child was going to be born from Children of Israel and that the child would
depose him. Thereupon, the Pharaoh started to kill all of the male children of Children of
Israel that were born. Hz. Musa (Moses) was born at that time. (13) According to the Quran,
Hz. Musa got rid of the Pharaoh and was brought up in the palace of the Pharaoh by his
own mother. Hz. Musa called the Pharaoh and Copts to the belief of oneness but the
Pharaoh did not believe; he even claimed to be a deity; eventually, he was drowned in the
sea together with his soldiers.

‫ِساءه ُْمِإ‬ ْ ‫ِإ َّنف ِْر َع ْو َن َعاَل فِياَأْل ْرضِ َو َج َعَأَلهْ لَ َهاشِ َي ًعا َي ْس َت‬  . َ‫ىوف ِْر َع ْو َن ِبا ْل َح ِّقلِ َق ْو ٍم ُيْؤ ِم ُنون‬
َ ‫ض ِعفُ َطاِئ َف ًة ِّم ْن ُه ْم ُي َذ ِّب ُحَأ ْب َناءه ُْم َو َي ْس َت ْح ِيين‬ َ ‫واعلَ ْي َكمِن َّن َبِإ ُم‬
َ ‫وس‬ َ ُ‫َن ْتل‬
ْ ْ َ َ
َ‫ن ُهكان ِمنال ُمفسِ دِين‬َ َّ

“We rehearse to thee some of the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Truth, for people who
believe. Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sections
depressing a group among them: their sons he slew, but he kept alive their females: for he
was indeed a maker of mischief.” (al-Qasas,28/3-4)

‫ىو َمن َّم َع ُهَأ ْج َمعِي َن ُث َّمَأ ْغ َر ْق َنااآْل َخ ِر َـ‬

“‫ين‬ َ ‫الط ْودِا ْل َعظِ يم َِوَأ ْزلَ ْف َنا َث َّماآْل َخ ِري َن َوَأ‬
َ ‫نج ْي َنا ُم‬
َ ‫وس‬ َّ ‫صا َكا ْل َب ْح َر َفان َفلَ َق َف َكا َن ُكلُّف ِْرقٍ َك‬ ْ ‫وسىَأن‬
َ ‫ِاض ِرب ِّب َع‬ َ ‫َفَأ ْو َح ْي َناِإلَى ُم‬

“Then We told Moses by inspiration: "Strike the sea with thy rod." So it divided, and each
separate part become like the huge, firm mass of a mountain. And We made the other party
approach thither. We delivered Moses and all who were with him; But We drowned the
others.” (ash-Shuara 26/63,66)

While the Pharaoh was being drowned in the sea together with his followers due to his
rebellion and other sins, he wanted to believe by saying, I believed in Allah; there is no god
but Allah; I am a Muslim too" but his belief was not accepted because he had no chance of
living then and he started to see the punishment he would undergo.

‫اح َّتىِإ َذاَأدْ َر َك ُها ْل َغ َرقُ َقاآَل َمن ُتَأ َّن ُهالِإلِـ َهِإالَّالَّذِيآ َم َن ْت ِب ِه َب ُنوِإ ْس َراِئي َل َوَأ َناْ ِم َنا ْل ُم ْسلِمِي َنآآل َن َو‬
َ ‫اب َبنِيِإ ْس َراِئيال ْل َب ْح َر َفَأ ْت َب َع ُه ْمف ِْر َع ْو ُن َو ُج ُنو ُد ُه َب ْغ ًي َاو َعدْ ًو‬
ِ ‫َو َج َاو ْز َن‬
َ‫ص ْي َت َق ْبلُ َو ُكن َت ِم َنا ْل ُم ْفسِ دِين‬ ‫ع‬
َ َ ْ‫د‬‫ق‬َ

“We took the Children of Israel across the sea: Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in
insolence and spite. At length, when overwhelmed with the flood, he said: "I believe that
there is no god except Him Whom the Children of Israel believe in: I am of those who
submit (to Allah in Islam)." (It was said to him): "Ah now!― but a little while before, wast
thou in rebellion!― and thou didst mischief (and violence)!"  (Yunus, 10/90-91)

Many more nations apart from the examples we have tried to give were destroyed. The
main reason why they were destroyed was their oppression.

ْ ‫او َي ٌة َعلَى ُع ُروشِ َه َاو ِبْئ ٍر ُّم َع َّطلَة ٍَو َق‬

‫ص ٍر َّمشِ ي ٍد‬ َ ‫َف َكَأ ِّين ِّمن َق ْر َي ٍةَأهْ لَ ْك َناه‬
ِ ‫َاو ِه َي َظالِ َم ٌة َف ِه َي َخ‬

"How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong-doing? They
tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles
lofty and well-built? (al-Hajj, 22/45) Denying Allah, His prophets and His verses, associating
partners with Allah, rebellion and oppression are the common properties of the nations that
were destroyed. (14)

CONCLUSION:   

There is a certain lifespan for each nation in the world. When this predestinated time
comes, it is not delayed. The nations living in the world are destroyed because of their
polytheism, unbelief, rebellion and oppression. Allah never oppresses His slaves. 

There are lessons for people in the stories of the previous nations. The stories of the
destroyed nations are like that too.

Footnotes:
1.    For qarya, see al-Isra, 17/16, 58 al-Hijr, 15/4, al-Anbiya, 21/56, al-Hajj, 22/45, ash-
Shuara, 26/208, al-Qasas ,22/158, Muhammad, 47/13
2.    For ummah, see al-Araf, 7/34, 164, Yunus, 10/49, al-Hijr, 15/5, al-Anam, 6/42, Hud,
11/48, az-Zukhruf, 43/22, al-Anbiya, 21/92, Hud, 11/8. For qawm, see also Aal-i Imran,
3/117, for “qarn”, see al-Qasas, 28/78, al-Anam,6/6, Yunus, 10/13, as-Sajda, 32/26,
Qaf,50/36. The words qawm and qarn are used in the same sense.
3.    Al-Qurtubi, Muhammad, al-Jami li Ahkami’l-Qur'an, l,137. Yazır, Elmalılı M. Hamdi, Hak
Dini Kur'ân Dili,l, 508. For the relevant verses, see az-Zukhruf, 43/22, al-Anbiya, 21/92,
Hud, 11/8, al-Anam, 6/38, 42
4.    Yazır, III, 2156
5.    Karagöz,İsmail,Kur'ân’a Göre Musibetler Açısından İnsan ve Toplum, p.172
6.    Karagöz, İsmail,Kur'ân’a Göre Musibetler Açısından İnsan ve Toplum, p.176-177
7.    Karagöz, p.182
8.    See also Qaf, 50/36,  Muhammad, 47/13,  Maryam, 19/74,  al-Kahf, 18/59, al-Mumin,
60/21. al-Haqqa, 69/9-10, az-Zukhruf, 43/6-8
9.    Ahmet Cevdet Paşa, Kısas-ı Enbiya, l/8. For the relevant verses, see al-Araf, 7/59-63,
Nuh, 71/1-28, al-Muminun, 23/23-40, Hud, 11/27-47, ash-Shuara, 26/105-120, al-Qamar,
54/10-14, al-Anbiya, 21/67-78, Yunus, 10/37,73, al-Ankabut, 29/1, adh-Dhariyat,51/46
10.     A.Cevdet Paşa, I, 8. For the relevant verses, see al-Araf, 7/65,72, Hud, 11/50-59, al-
Muminun, 23/32-39, al-Furqan, 25/38, ash-Shuara, 26/124-139, al-Ankabut ,29/38, Fussilat,
41/16, al-Ahqaf, 46/21,25
11.     A.Cevdet Paşa, I,10, Yazır, lX/2796. The relevant verses: al-Araf, 7/73-78, Hud,
11/61-68,  al-Isra,17/59,  ash-Shuara,26/141-156.
12.     Ahmed Cevdet Paşa, I,1. Mehmed Vehbi Efendi, Hulasatu’l-Beyan, lX/168 The
relevant verses: al-Araf, 7/81-82, al-Hijr, 15/73-74, Hud,11/78-82, ash-Shuara, 26/166, an-
Naml, 27/56
13.     A.Cevdet Paşa,l/22,30
14.     See al-Araf,7/5, Yunus, 10/13, Hud, 11/101,102,116, Ibrahim, 14/13, al-Kahf, 18/59,
al-Anbiya, 21/11,14,97, al-Hajj, 22/48, al-Muminun, 23/41, ar-Rum, 30/9.

It is believed that Allah (SWT) selected a number of prophets to recite His

teachings and this is widely known, but two of the main questions surrounding
them are how many Islamic prophets were there, and who are they? If you
have any questions surrounding the prophets, read on as we explain
everything you need to know about them.

What is a Prophet in Islam?

Islamic prophets are messengers sent by Allah (SWT) to demonstrate ideal
behaviour and spread the word and teachings of Allah (SWT) to people on
Earth.

How Many Islamic Prophets are

there?
Allah (SWT) selected 25 prophets to spread His messages. 

Who is the First Prophet in

Islam?
Adam is the first Islamic prophet. He and Hawwa (Eve) were the first humans
on Earth and Adam is considered the father of the human race. It is said that
Allah (SWT) created Adam and Eve from clay and gave them free rein in
Paradise. He told them that they may have anything they wanted, but He
forbade them from eating the fruits of one tree in Paradise, but they disobeyed
Him and sinned. As a punishment, Allah (SWT) sent them to Earth where
Adam had to learn how to grow crops, bake and survive – skills which he
passed down to his descendants. 

Adam and Eve had many children, including Abel, Cain and Seth. Abel and
Cain were both asked by Allah (SWT) to present a suitable sacrifice. Allah
(SWT) accepted Abel’s effort but rejected Cain’s. In a fit of rage and jealousy,
Cain threw a rock at Abel and killed him, resulting in the first murder on Earth.
Following this, when the time came for Adam to choose a successor, he
chose Seth who became the second prophet. 

Who are the Prophets?

Following Adam who is the first prophet in Islam and his son Seth, there were
23 further prophets who came in the following order:

Idris – Idris (also called Enoch) was born in Babylon. He adhered to the rules
and teachings of Prophet Seth, and when he came of age, he received the
Revelation and Allah (SWT) bestowed prophethood upon him. Idris left
Babylon after he witnessed the people committing sins despite his warnings
not to. Some people joined Idris and they left Babylon, arriving in Egypt. Idris
spent a great deal of time preaching, worshipping and researching his
ancestors, Adam and Eve. He is believed to have possessed great wisdom
and was the first man to use a pen to write. 

Nuh – Nuh (also called Noah) received the message from Allah (SWT) that
unless people started to recognise Him as the one true God, a great disaster
would happen. Nuh dutifully spread the word of Allah (SWT) and attempted to
warn people that if they continued to worship several gods, they would be
punished. The people didn’t listen, so in an attempt to preserve life – including
those who did eventually listen to him - Nuh built an ark. He admitted a pair of
each type of animal and awaited the arrival of the Great Flood which Allah
(SWT) warned would happen, and it did. 

Hud – Hud lived in ʿĀd and was devoted to Allah (SWT) as the only deity, but
at this time, he was alone in his views. He tried desperately to get people to
listen to him when he said that there was only one God, but the people of ʿĀd
refused to listen, instead mocking Hud and Allah’s (SWT) message.
Eventually, after all the mocking, Allah (SWT) imparted a thunderous storm
and destroyed ʿĀd. 

Saleh – Saleh was sent by Allah (SWT) to spread His teachings and preached
against the Shirk’s wealth selfishness in Thamud. The people of Thamud
refused to believe him until he performed a miracle. Allah (SWT) gifted the
people of Thamud a she-camel, but the people of Thamud hamstrung the
camel and Saleh warned them that as a consequence of their actions and
disbelief, Allah (SWT) imparted punishment in the form of an earthquake. 

Ibrahim – Ibrahim is one of the most highly regarded prophets and it is his

devotion to Allah (SWT) that is revered at Qurbani. Ibrahim was commanded
by Allah (SWT) to sacrifice the thing he held dearest – his son, Ismail. Ibrahim
discussed the command with Ismail and it was agreed as an act of obedience
to Allah (SWT). At the very last moment, Allah (SWT) swapped Ismail for a
ram and spared his life, revealing the whole thing to be a test. 

Lut – Lut was sent by Allah (SWT) to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to
promote monotheism and to inform the people of how homosexuality and acts
of violent lust are sinful. He warned the people of the city about how they were
sinning but they did not listen, and as such, the two cities were destroyed. 

Ismail – Ismail was the son of Ibrahim and followed in his father’s footsteps,
promoting the word of Allah (SWT). 

Ishaq – Ishaq (also called Isaac) was the son of Ismail and, like his father,
Ismail, continued on the path to spreading the name of Allah (SWT). 

Yaqub – Yaqub (also known as Jacob) is an important prophet and is

mentioned 16 times in the Qur’an. He is the father of the 12 tribes and is
revered as a man of might. 

Yusuf – Yusuf (sometimes referred to as Joseph) was the son of Yaqub. His

father loved him dearly and this caused jealousy amongst his brothers, so
they threw him in a well. He was picked up by travellers and used as a slave,
finally being imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Despite his hardship,
he did not give up his faith in Allah (SWT). 

Ayyub – Ayyub (also called Job) was sorely tested by Allah (SWT) for many
years, but he did not relinquish his faith in the Almighty and was rewarded for
his unwavering belief and obedience. 
Shu-ayyb – Shu-ayyb (also known as Jethro) was sent to the Midianite
community as a prophet and spread the word of Allah (SWT), warning the
people that if they did not change their fraudulent ways, they would be
punished. When the people did not listen, their community was destroyed.
Shu-ayyb is revered as the most eloquent prophet. 

Musa – Musa is also known as Moses and is mentioned more than any other
person in the Qur’an. He and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are said to have
shared a number of parallels. 

Harun - Also referred to as Aaron, Harun was the first high priest of the
Israelites and was the brother of Musa.

Dhu’l-Kifl – After Harun came Dhu’l-Kifl who is the Islamic equivalent of

Ezekiel, although he is sometimes associated with Isaiah, Joshua or Obadiah
instead of Ezekiel. Dhul-Kifl was mentioned twice in the Qur’an and preached
the word of Allah (SWT) extensively throughout Iraq. 

Dawud - Dawud (also known as David) was a soldier for King Talut and
defeated the giant Jalut (Goliath). He is a notable figure because he received
the Zabur – biblical psalms – and was one of only a handful of prophets to
have done so. 

Sulaiman – Sulaiman (Solomon) was the son of Dawud and took over his
prophecy when he died. Sulaiman was the king of Israel and it is said he could
communicate with animals and jinn. He is hailed as one of the greatest rulers
of all time and it is said that no king before or after him was able to reach his
level. 

Ilyas – Occasionally spelt as Elijah or Elias, Ilyas resided in the north kingdom

of Israel which was, at the time, inhabited by people who worshipped the
ancient God, Baal. Ilyas spoke to the worshippers of Baal and told them about
Allah (SWT). He defended Allah’s (SWT) name and remained loyal to the one
true God. 

Al-Yasa – Al-Yasa (Elisha) succeeded Ilyas as one of Allah’s (SWT) elected

prophets. He is mentioned briefly in the Qur’an but is regarded as having
miracle powers, including being able to walk on water, revive the deceased
and curing the diseased. He was said to have been raised by Ilyas. 
Yunus – Prophet Yunus was sent to the city of Nineveh in north Iraq by Allah
(SWT) as the city was resided in by idol worshippers. Allah (SWT) is the only
God and Yunus was sent to inform the people of Nineveh of this and to guide
them on the right path. He was met with rejection and, against Allah’s (SWT)
will, Yunus left Nineveh in search of a community who would accept Allah
(SWT). Allah (SWT) turned the sky red above Nineveh and a fierce storm
brewed. The people of the city dropped to their knees and begged for mercy,
which Allah (SWT) granted. Meanwhile, Yunus was travelling by boat and a
storm came. One man had to be sacrificed for the sake of the others, and
Yunus knew this was Allah’s (SWT) punishment for leaving Nineveh, so he
dived in and was swallowed by a whale. He repented to Allah (SWT) and was
spat out to return to Nineveh. 

Zakariyya – Zakariyya (or Zechariah) fathered Yahya (John the Baptist) who

went on to become the guardian of Mary, mother of Isa. 

Yahya – The son of Zakariyya, Yahya was told by Allah (SWT) about the
arrival of Isa (Jesus). He was known as a merciful man who was committed to
Allah (SWT), and he was described as a gentle being – so much so that it is
said he did not do one thing against the will of Allah (SWT) in his life. 
Isa – For those wondering ‘is Jesus a prophet in Islam?’ he is, but in the
Qur’an his name is spelt as Isa. He was the penultimate prophet and Allah
(SWT) sent him to guide the people of Israel on the straight path. Isa differs
from Jesus in the Christian Bible because in the Qur’an he is not considered
the son of God, nor was he crucified. Isa holds much significance in Islam
because he is mentioned 93 times in the Qur’an. It is said that Allah (SWT)
revealed the Gospel to Isa. 

Muhammad – Finally, we come to Muhammad (PBUH), who is the last prophet in

Islam. He was sent by Allah (SWT) to confirm the teachings of the prophets
before him, and he is often regarded as the father of Islam. Muhammad
(PBUH) recited the exact words of Allah (SWT) in the form of the Qur’an and
the Angel Jibril revealed to him Allah’s (SWT) teachings over the course of 23
years. Muhammad (PBUH) originally lived in Mecca but after spreading the
word of Allah (SWT) to the people of Mecca who – at the time believed in
multiple Gods - he and his followers were persecuted and so they left to
Medina. Some years later, Muhammad (PBUH) returned to Mecca and was
respected by those who had previously persecuted him, and he and his
followers were allowed to practice their beliefs without persecution.
Were There any Female Prophets
in Islam?
There are no female prophets in Islam, but females are held in high regard
because they are the mothers of the prophets and played a pivotal role in
raising them to greatness. 

Was Muhammad the Final

Prophet?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is known in the Qur’an as Khatam-un-Nabiyeen,
which translates as ‘seal of the prophets’. This is generally taken to mean that
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the last prophet and no more shall come
after him.