PROPHET ENOCH (IDRIS)
Allah has praised Enoch, describing him as being a prophet and truthful: Mention in the Book (Quran) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth (and) a prophet. We raised him to a high station. (Ch 19:56-57 Quran).
Enoch was born and raised in Babylon following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam (pbuh) and his son Seth (pbuh). Enoch was the 5th generation of the Prophet Adam. He called the people back to his forefathers religion, but only a few listened to him, while the majority turned away.
Prophet Enoch and his followers left Babylon for Egypt. There he carried on his mission, calling people to what is just and fair, teaching them certain prayers and instructing them to fast on certain days and to give a portion of their wealth to the poor.
He was the first of the Children of Adam to be given prophethood after Adam and Seth (peace upon them). It is reported that he was the 1st to invent the basic form of writing. Some of his wise sayings are:
Happy is he who looks at his own deeds and appoints them as pleaders to his Lord
None can show better gratitude for Allah's favors than he who shares them with others. Do not envy people for what they have as they will only enjoy it for a short while. He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it. The real joy of life is to have wisdom.
Allah the Almighty declared : Remember Ishmael and Idris and Dhul Kifl, all were from among those who observe patience. (Ch 21:85-86 Quran).
Allah directed: Remember Our slaves, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and also of religious understanding. Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing ) the remembrance of the home (in the Hereafter and they used to make the people remember it and also they used to invite the people to obey Allah and to do good deeds for the Hereafter). And they are in Our Sight, verily of the chosen and the best! Remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul Kifl all are among the best. (Ch 38:45-48 Quran).
Ibn Jarir narrated that he was not a prophet but he was a righteous man. He supported his people to suffice their needs and administrated justice among them. That is why he was called Dhul Kifl. (means possessor of, or giving, a double requital or portion)
Allah Almighty revealed: Noah's people, when they denied the Messengers We drowned them, and We made them as a sign for mankind. We have prepared a painful torment for the Zalimeen (polytheists and wrongdoers) Also Ad and Thamud and the dwellers of Ar Rass and many generations in between. For each of them We put forward examples (as proofs and lessons etc), and each of them We brought to utter ruin (because of their disbelief and evil deeds). (Ch 25:37-39 Quran)
Allah the Exalted revealed: Denied before them (these pagans of Mecca who denied you, O Muhammad) the people of Noah and the dwellers of Ar Rass, and Thamud and Ad and Pharaoh, and the brethren of Lot, and the dewellers of the Wood, and the people of Tubba, everyone of them denied their Messengers so My Threat took effect. (Ch 50:12-14 Quran).
These verses indicate that the dwellers of Ar Rass were destroyed as they were the other people who refused to believe in the prophets of Allah
Ibn jarir stated that the dwellers of Ar Rass were the people of one of Thamud's villages. Allah sent a prophet to them called Huzlah Ibn Safwan. They denied and killed him, so Allah destroyed them.
Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Al Hassan narrated: "The dwellers of AR Rass had a well sufficing them and their land. They also had a just and good-hearted king. When he died, they were much grieved for him. After four days Satan took his form and said: "I was not deed, but I kept absent from you to see your reaction." They were very joyful. He commanded them to set up a curtain between him and them and told them that he would never die. A great number of them believed him and were fascinated with and worshiped him. Then Allah sent them a prophet telling them that it was only Satan who was addressing them from behind the curtain. He forbade them to worship him and commanded them to worship only Allah and no partner with Him. In spite of that, they killed their prophet and threw his body into a well. Therefore Allah destroyed them and their homes."
All that we know about these people is what Allah Almighty has told us in the Glorious Quran: Put forward to them a similitude the (story of ) the dwellers of the town, (it is said that the town was Antioch, Antakiya), when there came Messengers to them. When We sent them two Messengers, they belied them both, so We reinforced them with a third and they said: "Verily! We have been sent to you as Messengers." They (people of the town) said: "You are only human beings like ourselves and the Most Beneficent (Allah) has revealed nothing, you are only telling lies." The Messengers said: "Our Lord knows that we have been sent as Messengers to you, our duty is only to convey plainly (the Message)." The people said: "For us we see an evil omen from you, if you cease not we will surely stone you and a painful torment will touch you from us." The Messengers said: "Your evil omens be with you! (Do you call it "evil omen") because you are admonished? Nay but you are a people Musrifun (transgressing all bounds by committing all kinds of great sins, and by disobeying Allah)." And there came running from the farthest part of the town, a man saying: "O my people! Obey the Messengers obey those who ask no wagers of you (for themselves) and who are rightly guided. Why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned. Shall I take besides Him aliah (gods) if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use whatsoever, nor can they save me? Then verily, I should be in plain error. Verily! I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!" It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew! That my Lord (Allah) has forgive me, and made me of the honored ones!" We sent not against his people after him a host from heaven nor do We send (such a thing). IT was but one shout and lo! They (all) were silent (dead destroyed). Alas for mankind! There never came a Messenger to them but they used to mock at him. Do they not see how many of the generations We have destroyed before them? Verily, they will not return to them. (Ch 36:13-31 Quran).
