Prophet Yahya (A.S.)
Quran References:
Prophet Yahya (AS) is mentioned 5 times in the following Ayats of the Quran:
(Quran, 3:39, 3:41, 6:85, 19:7, 19:12)
Prophet Yahya’s birth was also implied in Surah Al-Imran, (Quran, 3:42)
Yahya’s Early Life:
Yahya (AS) was known to show kindness to animals and he fed them until there was nothing left for him. He would eat fruit and leaves of trees, herbs and sometimes locusts.
From an early age, Prophet Yahya (AS) loved reading.
Allah SWT called him to ‘Hold fast the Scripture (The Torah).’ (Quran, 19:12)
His Wisdom and Guidance:
Yahya (AS) became the wisest and most knowledgeable man at that time. Because of this, Allah SWT granted him the ability to pass judgements on people’s affairs and guide people to the right path.
Prophet Yahya (AS) would often preach to his people to ask Allah SWT for forgiveness.
Deep Devotion to Allah:
Yahya’s father Zakariya (AS) once did not see his son for three days.
Eventually, Zakariya found him crying inside a grave which he had dug and he asked: I have been searching for you and you are dwelling in this grave weeping.
Yahya (AS) said: O father, did you not tell me that between Paradise and Hell is only a span and it will not be crossed except by tears of weepers.
Zakariyah (AS) then replied: Weep then, my son.
Both father and son cried together and Yahya (AS) cried so much that the tears marked his cheeks.
Yahya (AS) would sometimes find a lion or a bear in a cave but because he was so focused on his worship of Allah SWT, he paid no attention to them.
The animals recognised that Yahya (AS) was a Prophet who cared for creatures so they would leave the cave bowing their heads.
Yahya (AS) would feed them with his own food as he was satisfied with his prayers being food for his soul.
Prophet Yahya (AS) would spend his nights crying and praising Allah SWT for His blessings.
Conflict with a King:
A conflict then took place between Yahya (AS) and a tyrant king.
The king, called Herod was the ruler of Palestine at the time and he was in love with his brother’s daughter, Salome and was planning to marry his niece.
When Yahya (AS) found out, he said that the marriage would be forbidden (because of incest) and he did not approve the marriage, as it was against the Law of the Torah.
When Salome found out, she was angry as she wanted to rule the kingdom with her uncle, Herod.
She decided to throw herself at Herod, who offered to fulfil any desire that she had.
Salome then said: I would love to have the head of Yahya as he has defiled your honour and mine throughout the land. If you grant me this wish, I will be very happy and will offer myself to you.
Fascinated by her charm, Herod submitted to her request.
Martyrdom of Prophet Yahya:
Yahya (AS) was eventually executed and his head was brought to Salome.
However, the death of Prophet Yahya (AS) was later avenged as Salome and the Children of Israel were punished greatly by invading armies who destroyed their children.
The Quran on Prophet Yahya (AS):
As mentioned in the story of Zakariya (AS), the birth of Yahya (AS) was a miracle. Allah SWT says: ‘O Zakariya, We give good news of a boy whose name will be Yahya – We have not given his name to anyone before.’ (Quran, 19:7)
Allah SWT blessed Yahya (AS) with wisdom and prophethood from a young age. Allah says: ‘O Yahya, take the scripture with firmness. And We gave him wisdom while still a child.’ (Quran, 19:12)
Allah SWT granted him peace in three stages of life, which was something that only Yahya (AS) and his cousin Isa AS) had the honour of. Allah says: ‘Peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies and the day he will be raised alive.’ (Quran, 19:15)
Allah SWT also mentions that Yahya (AS) was among the righteous prophets. Allah says: ‘And Zakariya and Yahya and Isa and Ilyas – all were of the righteous.’ (Quran, 6:85)