What you need to know: Are the twelve disciples mentioned in the Quran?

When Muhammad founded Islam in the 7th century, he worked hard to get the support of the Jews and Christians. This meant that he tried to include certain elements from Judaism and Christianity in Islam, like Abraham, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary.

However, Muhammad twisted these stories to fit into his new religion. You can read about how he fabricated a story about Jesus’ identity and who Mary is. There are also certain elements Muhammad obviously left out that were important in Jesus’ life on earth– like the twelve disciples.

Are the twelve disciples in the Quran? Jesus’ followers in the Quran

In the Quran, the disciples of Prophet Isa (Jesus) are referred to as the "Hawariyyun" (الحواريون), which translates to "the helpers" or "those who were purified". While the Quran doesn't specify the number or names of these disciples, it highlights their role as believers and supporters of Isa. They are presented as individuals who believed in Isa's message, pledged to help him, and were purified from sin.

The Quran mentions Jesus’ disciples without any details about their names or how many they were. This is the same way the Quran talks about Muhammad’s disciples or followers, called “the Sahabah” in Arabic, without any details. This is possibly intentional to create a similarity between Muhammad and Jesus.

“When Isa sensed disbelief from his people, he asked, “Who will stand up with me for Allah?” The disciples replied, “We will stand up for Allah. We believe in Allah, so bear witness that we have submitted.” Quran 3:52

Most Muslims know one story of the 12 disciples in the Quran found in Surah 5:111-115. This entire book (Surah) of the Quran is called “The Table” because of this story, which goes as follows:

Isa’s followers ask him to prove that he is a prophet of Allah, so they urge him to bring down from heaven a table filled with food; Isa asks Allah to send down a table of food fit for a feast, and when it happens, a few of his disciples come to believe in him as Allah’s prophet.

The Hadith also explains that all of Allah’s prophets had disciples:

“Never a Prophet had been sent before me by God towards his nation who had not among his people (his) disciples and companions who followed his ways and obeyed his command.” (Riyad as-Salihin 185)

Muslims often like to compare Jesus’ followers (Ḥawāriyyūn in Arabic) to the companions of Muhammad (the Sahaba) due to their shared qualities of faith, loyalty, and dedication to spreading the divine message.

Why wouldn’t Islam include more about Jesus’ disciples? Historical context of Islam’s creation

Since at first Muhammad’s goal was to peacefully convince the Christians and Jews that he was their God’s prophet, Muhammad pulled inspiration from their scriptures in his creation of Islam: read more here. He also pulled from other religions, like tribal beliefs and paganism, which you can learn about in this blog post.

By the time Muhammad claimed to have his first revelation in 610 AD, the Christian church had been in existence for over 500 years. The text of the Bible had been officially canonized in the 4th century. Muhammad would have known about the disciples and the early church from the Christians in his area, yet he didn’t include Jesus’ twelve closest companions in his teachings.

The reason for this is pretty clear: Why would Muhammad include the greatest witnesses to Jesus’ deity when the Quran actively argues against it?

There are vague mentions of Jesus’ disciples in the Quran, but no details that would connect Muhammad’s new religion to the men who actively spent their lives preaching and making disciples, writing the Gospels, planting the early Church, and dying as martyrs. All of them died professing Jesus’ death and resurrection, and most were killed for it. 

Talking about the twelve disciples with your Muslim friend

When talking to your Muslim friend about Jesus, discussing His disciples can help introduce them to the Bible. Introduce your Muslim friend to the disciples and share their stories, including their victories and failures. 

Be honest about the humanness of the twelve disciples. This will help their stories come to life for your Muslim friend and highlight how Jesus loves us despite our imperfections. The disciples’ stories and their loyalty to Jesus and His message can leave a big impact on your Muslim friend.

You can explain the close friendships Jesus had with Peter and John, though they differed greatly in their personalities. Share how Jesus chose men from varying backgrounds (a tax collector,  a zealot, and a fisherman). Point out how Jesus used his disciples' strengths and personalities, instead of demanding unattainable perfection and conformity.

These are great verses to start sharing:

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-22

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.”

Matthew 10:1-4

Focus on the way Jesus loved people as individuals and how His disciples were the biggest witnesses and advocates for Jesus’ resurrection– even to the point of death.

Here are some questions you can use to spur this conversation with your Muslim friend:

• It is historically proven that 11 of the disciples died as martyrs because of their faith in Jesus. What do you think about that?

• Have you heard about Jesus’ disciples? If not, is that something you’d be interested in learning?

• What would you have wanted to ask Jesus if you were alive during His time, like the disciples were?

When you share the impact Jesus had on His closest companions, who were willing to die for His kingdom, it can strike a chord in the Muslim’s heart. They, too, believe they could die for Allah, but they are doing it from a place of fear and trying to guarantee salvation. Instead, point out how the twelve disciples were honest about their faith until the end of their lives – and they died truly believing that Christ resurrected from the dead to give them eternal life.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for my Muslim friend and the opportunity to share the Bible with them. Please give me the right words to answer their questions and point them to you. Amen.