Very little, and that is the first lesson. The Qur'an gives them a few verses, the authentic Sunnah a few lines.
Many stories are told about them. Most come from the People of the Book, or have no reliable chain.
This chapter keeps to what is certain, and tells you plainly what is not.
And mention Idrîs in the Book. He was a man of truth and a prophet.
And We raised him to a high station.
Two titles: siddîq, truthful through and through, and nabî, a prophet.
“A high station”: the commentators differ. A rank of honour for some, being raised to the heavens for others.
The Prophet ﷺ described his Night Journey: in the fourth heaven, he met Idrîs.
Idrîs greeted him with these words: “Welcome, brother and prophet.”
In Muslim's version, the verse “And We raised him to a high station” is quoted at this very point.
When did he live? Many scholars place him before Nûh (peace be upon him). Others hold a different view.
Al-Bukhârî notes, without a chain, a view that Ilyâs (peace be upon him) and Idrîs are one and the same.
First to write with a pen, friend of the Angel of Death: those tales are unproven. This book leaves them aside.
And Ismâ'îl, Idrîs and Dhul-Kifl: all were of the patient.
And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous.
Dhul-Kifl is named twice in the Qur'an, each time among prophets. Nothing more is told.
Was he a prophet? Most scholars say yes, because he is named with prophets. Others say he was a righteous man.
Kifl means a share, or a pledge taken on. The texts do not say why he bore this name.
Commentators report that he pledged to fast by day, pray by night and never grow angry, and kept his word.
A beautiful story, but no authentic text confirms it. Keep his quality, endurance, not the details.
Their names are in the Qur'an. Yet most Muslims could not tell you one thing about them.
What do we really know of Idrîs and Dhul-Kifl (peace be upon them)?
Two names, a few verses, and one word to sum them up: patient.
Tonight, bear one thing that annoys you without a word of anger, for Allah's sake.