UK children learn about many of the same Prophets in school RE lessons, under English names. Knowing both builds confidence and connection.
Prophets with English names
| Arabic | English |
|---|---|
| آدَم | Adam |
| نُوح | Noah |
| إِبْرَاهِيم | Abraham |
| إِسْمَاعِيل | Ishmael |
| إِسْحَاق | Isaac |
| يَعْقُوب | Jacob |
| يُوسُف | Joseph |
| مُوسَى | Moses |
| هَارُون | Aaron |
| دَاوُد | David |
| سُلَيْمَان | Solomon |
| أَيُّوب | Job |
| يُونُس | Jonah |
| زَكَرِيَّا | Zechariah |
| يَحْيَى | John (the Baptist) |
| عِيسَى | Jesus |
| لُوط | Lot |
Prophets usually known by their Arabic names
هُود (Hud), صَالِح (Salih), شُعَيْب (Shu’ayb), إِدْرِيس (Idris), ذُو الْكِفْل (Dhul-Kifl), إِلْيَاس (Ilyas), الْيَسَع (Al-Yasa’) and the final Messenger, مُحَمَّد ﷺ.
Respect
Teach your child to say “alayhis-salam” (peace be upon him) after each Prophet’s name, and “ﷺ” after Prophet Muhammad’s.
A school conversation
“We believe in Moses and Jesus too. We call them Musa and Isa, and they’re Prophets in Islam.” See Maryam and Isa.
Teacher’s tip: make a matching card game: Arabic name on one card, English on the other. Children learn all 25 Prophets’ names surprisingly fast.
Related: Prophet Yusuf and Prophet Nuh.
