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Glossary Entry

Rafa'ah

Definition

Rafa'ah — raising or elevation — is the verb used in the Quran for what Allah did with Idris: 'We raised him to a high place.' The same root is used for the raising of Isa (Jesus) to the heavens, leading scholars to draw comparisons between the two figures and to speculate about what 'raising' means for a prophet. Ibn Kathir presents narrations suggesting that Idris was physically carried by an angel to the heavens, where he remains — neither dead in the ordinary sense nor alive in the earthly sense. This mysterious state of elevation makes Idris one of the most spiritually intriguing figures in the entire prophetic tradition.

As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.

In the library's own words

How the scholars use Rafa'ah.

  1. "They wrongly attribute many things to him, as they have done with other prophets, scholars, sages, and saints. The verse, And we raised him to a high place, is confirmed in the hadith of the Night Journey. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed by him when he was in the fourth heaven. Ibn Abbas once asked Kab, while I was present, What is the meaning of Allah's saying about Idris?"

    — Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā

  2. "Mention of Idris, peace be upon him, God Almighty said, and mention in the book Idris. Indeed, he was a man of truth and a prophet, and we raised him to a high place. Idris, peace be upon him, was praised by Allah, described as a prophet and a truthful man. He is Enoch, and according to several genealogists, he is in the lineage of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him."

    — Ibn Kathir, Volume 1 — From Creation to Mūsā

  3. "Mention of Idris, Peace Be Upon Him Allah the Exalted says in Surah Maryam and mentioned in the book Idris, Indeed he was a truthful prophet, and We raised him to a high place. Idris, also known as Enoch, is praised by Allah for his prophethood and truthfulness. He is included in the lineage of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, as noted by several genealogists."

    — Ibn Kathir, The Story of Idris · playable in the free preview

Appears in

1 book in the library

Cover art for The Story of Idris by Imam Ibn Kathīr

The Story of Idris

Ibn Kathir · 4m

Hear the term in context.

Every book above uses Rafa'ah the way the classical scholars meant it. Listen with the full Study Kit in the app.

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