Edris; A Prophet Who Was Source of Sciences

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Edris (AS) was the first one who wrote down with a pen, according to narrations. He has been named as a scholar, intellectual, and teacher and is known as the founder of many sciences due to the knowledge he received from God Almighty.

Edris is one of 25 prophets whose names have been mentioned in the Holy Quran. He is a descendant of Adam and Yarz ibn Mahalil has been named as his father. Some historians also consider him to be the great-grandfather of Noah.

According to history books, Babylon was where descendants of Qabil were living. These people were idolaters, committing bad deeds. As most of the people of this city did not follow Edris, the prophet decided to migrate to another land with a group of his followers. They went near the Nile River. After settling in the new land, Edris started teaching religious concepts to people while also giving instructions on urban development, politics, and related laws.

He was a very humble man who was silent most of the time thinking. He is considered to be the founder of many sciences. He was a teacher and used to teach astronomy and math to people. He is also believed to have expanded the science of Hikmat in Greece. He is known in Greece as Hermes Trismegistus.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been quoted as saying that “Idris was the first person who wrote with a pen.”

Edris was known as a perfect tailor and some sources recognize him as the first tailor, noting that people used to wear animals’ skin before that.

The Quran refers to Hazrat Edris twice (verse 85 of Surah Al-Anbiya and verse 56 of Surah Maryam), describing him as an honest, patient, and righteous prophet who has a high position. 

There are different views about the fate of Edris in this world. Some narrations say that he, along with seven of his close companions, engaged in worshipping God until the Almighty brought him to a lofty position.

Some others say that witnessing the sins committed by descendants of Qabil, Edris asked God to take him away and God accepted his prayer, taking the prophet to the fourth or sixth heaven. Some say that he died in the fourth heaven and some believe that he entered Paradise alive and never came out of there.

Some sources say Edris was born in a region in Egypt while others name Babylon as his birthplace. He has been named Akhnukh in the Torah.