Description

LINEAGE

Prophet Yahya (AS) is a prophet and messenger of Allah who was sent to guide the Children of Israel. He was the son of Prophet Zakariya (AS).

In the Quran, Allah frequently mentions Zakariya’s (AS) continuous praying for the birth of a son. Zakariya’s (AS) wife, was barren and therefore the birth of a child seemed impossible. As a gift from Allah, Zakariya (AS) was given a son by the name of Yahya (AS), a name specially chosen for this child alone. In accordance with Zakariya’s (AS) prayer, Allah made Yahya (AS) and Isa (AS), who according to exegesis was born six months later, renew the message of Allah, which had been corrupted and distorted by the Israelites.

LIFE

Yahya (AS) was exhorted to hold fast to the scripture and was given wisdom by Allah while still a child. He was pure and devout and walked well in the presence of Allah. He was dutiful towards his parents, and he was not arrogant or rebellious. Yahya’s reading and understanding of the scriptures, when only a child, surpassed even that of the greatest scholars of the time. Muslim exegesis narrates that Isa (AS) sent Yahya (AS) out with twelve disciples, who preached the message before Isa (AS) called his own disciples.

According to Islamic tradition, Yahya (AS) used to go to the Haram esh-Sharif (Temple Mount) to deliver his sermons.

During the Prophethood of Yahya (AS), a conflict occurred between him and Herod Antipas, who wanted to divorce his first wife and take as his wife his former sister-in-law. Yahya (AS) informed that the marriage might be incestuous and did not approve of the marriage. After this, Herod Antipas had Yahya (AS) imprisoned. Yahya (AS) was then decapitated. Yahya (AS)’s head is believed to be inside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.

MIRACLES

Prophet Yahya (AS) was born in a miraculous way.

LEGACY

Yahya (AS) greeted Muhammad (SAW) on the night of the Al-Isra al-Mi’raj, along with Isa (AS), on the second heaven. Yahya (AS)’s story was also told to the Abyssinian king during the Muslim migration to Abyssinia. According to the Quran, Yahya (AS) was one on whom Allah sent peace on the day that he was born and the day that he died. According to Al-Suyuti, Ibrahim (AS) stated that since the creation of the world, the Heavens and the Earth wept only for two people, Yahya (AS) and Husayn (AS). According to a Hadith, Muhammad (SAW) said: “Every son of Adam (AS) will come on the day of Resurrection, and he will have sin against him except Yahya (AS) ibn Zakariya”.