In Islam, Prophet Yahya is mentioned in the Quran. He is also well known in Christianity and is known as John the Baptist. In Islam, Prophet Yahya is known as a righteous and pious prophet who was sent by God to guide the Children of Israel. His main mission was to call people to the worship of the One God, Allah (SWT) to repentance, and to righteousness. Prophet Yahya is mentioned in the Holy Quran several times. He is also mentioned specifically in Surat Mayram (a.s), which is named after Maryam Lady (a.s), mother of Prophet Issa (Jesus) (a.s).
[19:12] O Yahya! Take hold of the Book with strength, and We granted him wisdom while yet a child
[19:13] And tenderness from Us and purity, and he was one who guarded (against evil),
The Mother of Maryam (Hannah) and mother of Prophet Yahya ( Elizabeth) were sisters. They were the most pious sisters at the time. Hannah was married to Prophet Imran while Elizabeth was married to Prophet Zackaria (a.s).
Both sisters struggled to become pregnant and have children Hannah became pregnant with Maryam before her sister. Maryam then became the mother of Issa through a miracle, whereby she became pregnant without having a spouse. Elizabeth became pregnant after her husband, Prophet Zackaria (a.s), learnt from Maryam how to supplicate for a child.
Therefore, Lady Mariam, Prophet Issa (a.s) and Prophet Yahya (a.s) all lived during the same time, although Prophet Yahya was said to be born 6 months before Prophet Issa.
From the Quran, we learn that there are many similarities between Prophet Issa and Prophet Issa, who were good friends, cousins and companions to each other. In fact, one of the most important jobs of Prophet Yahya (a.s) was to prepare people spiritually for Prophet Issa’s message from Allah (swt).
From verse 12 we can learn that one of the missions of Prophet Yahya was to hold onto a book, (the Torah) which was first sent down through Prophet Moses. This was important because Allah (swt) wanted Yahya to return people’s attention to the Torah after it had been neglected, and to prepare them for the Injeel (also known as the Gospel) which was to be sent down soon after. Allah (swt) then talks about the blessings he has bestowed on Prophet Yahya, which includes wisdom while being only a small child.
Verse 13 then speaks of the tenderness and purity that the Prophet had as being from Him (Allah) swt)). Here we start to understand that Prophet Yahya’s purity allowed him to receive and give love from Allah (swt) to the people. We also get to understand that being kind and tenderhearted is actually a magnificent characteristic related to Allah (swt).
13. “And (also) compassion from Us and piety and he was God-fearing.”
Having compassion to others is a gift from Allah that was bestowed on him. A combination of piety and purity of soul, spirit, and action. God fearing in the true sense. So much so that when his father Prophet Zackaria would give lectures to his people, he would avoid mentioning hell if his son was around, because he would weep for long long time out of fear of Allah (swt)
Numerous stories of prophet Yahya running away into the forest as a child to weep in fear and awe and being sought by his parents
14. “And kindness to his parents, and (unto the people) he was neither insolent (nor) disobedient.”
15. “And peace on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he shall be raised alive!”
Prophet Yahya (John) was very kind to his parents and obeyed them. He tried to make them happy, because obeying parents is obligatory, and opposing them is forbidden. He also did not commit any sin, transgression, and was never proud. He hurt no one.
“And kindness to his parents, and (unto the people) he was neither insolent (nor) disobedient.”
Therefore, since Yahya (as) was qualified with all prominent epithets and great honours, then peace upon him, as the verse says:
“And peace on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he shall be raised alive!”
1) The day when he comes out from the mother’s womb and enters into the world.
2) The day he dies and finds himself among the people whom he has not seen.
3) The day when he will be raised alive and finds himself in a great place of gathering.
Allah favoured prophet Yahya by His Grace and endowed security on him in these three circumstances. Thus,
Yahya (Prophet Yahya) passed all the narrow passages successfully with the safety of religion and belief in
Allah.
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