Question
Was ‘Uzayr a prophet? His name appears in in the Quran. But when listing names of the twenty-five prophets mentioned in the Quran, his name is not listed. So, was he a prophet?
Also, were Shith and Saam prophets?
Answer
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) states that the popular opinion is that ‘Uzayr (‘alayhis salam) was a prophet of the Bani Israel who was inspired by Allah with the knowledge of the Torah.
(Bidayah wan Nihayah: vol. 2, pg. 215)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir and Ibnul ‘Asakir (rahimahumullah) also state that Shith (‘alayhis salam) was a prophet, based on the lengthy Hadith of Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) found in Sahih Ibn Hibban.
(Bidayah wan Nihayah: vol. 1, pg. 154, Qasasul Ambiya: pg. 55, Tarikhu Dimashq: vol. 23, pg. 274)
I have not come across mention of Saam being a prophet in any of the references that I have checked.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar