Is the story of the death of Prophet Idris (peace be upon him) in the Fourth Heaven, while he was accompanied by the Angel of Death, authentic?
The story transmitted from Ka'b al-Ahbar about Idris being raised to a high place is among the Isra'iliyyat (Judeo-Christian traditions) which are neither to be believed nor disbelieved. Its chains of narration to Ka'b al-Ahbar are authenticated through several routes. The story narrates that Idris would have as much righteous deeds elevated for him as were elevated for all the people of the earth. So, an angel sought permission from his Lord to visit him. Then, the angel carried him to the heaven at Idris's request, so that the angel might intercede for him with the Angel of Death to delay his appointed time. In the fourth heaven, the angel met the Angel of Death, who had been commanded to seize Idris's soul there, and he seized it. Although this story has an authentic chain of narration to Ka'b al-Ahbar, it does not rely on strong, elevated evidence. It is one of the narrations from the Children of Israel that one may transmit without asserting their truthfulness, unless they contradict Islamic law.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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