Prophet's Story
THE STORY OF PROPHET YAHYA
Prophet Yahya (John) was the son of Prophet Zechariah. In the Qur’an Prophet Yahya is not much described, only explained he was endowed with wisdom and knowledge during childhood. He respected his parents, and was neither arrogant nor disobedient. He was smart and sharp in his thinking, worshipping during the night.
Among the children of Israel, he was known as a religious expert and memorized the Torah. He dared to make decisions, did not fear humiliation, and did not heed the threat of the ruler in his efforts to establish the truth. He encouraged the converts, and as a sign, he bathed the converts in the Jordan River, which was in fact a great bath, and was called baptism in Christian teaching.
The story of the Prophet Yahya is inseparable from the story of his father (Prophet Zechariah). The prophet Zechariah was sent to the children of Israel when disobedience, corruption, and corruption were rampant among them. In addition, cruel and tyrannical kings also rule there and always do mischief. Herod, the ruler of Palestine is the most evil and transgressive king. He ordered the killing of Zachariah and Yahya.
The prophet Zechariah began preaching by inviting his people to worship Allah and warning them of the consequences of their deeds if they do not repent immediately. Despite his old age and gray hair, he continues to preach calling his people. In addition, the Prophet Zechariah also never tired of praying to Allah for the gift of a son who can replace him in carrying out this mission after he died. This is said in the word of God, “He (Zechariah) said “Yes my Lord, my bones are weak and my head is covered with gray hair, and I have never been disappointed in praying to You, my Lord. Verily I fear my dowry after my death, while my wife is barren, grant me from the side of You a son, who will inherit me and inherit a part of the house of Jacob; and make it, my Lord, a man who is feared.” (QS. Mariam [19]: 4-6).
God granted his request. As He said, “Hai Zachariah, We have indeed given you the glad tidings of (got) a son whose name is Yahya, whom We have never before created a person similar to him.” (QS. Maryam [19]: 7).
Yahya was born three months earlier than the birth of Jesus. He was then raised and educated by his parents with kindness and piety, as the word of God, “O Yahya, take (student) the book (Taurat) in earnest. And, We gave him (Yahya) wisdom as long as he was a child” (QS. Maryam [19]: 12).
Since childhood, God has given him knowledge and wisdom and after adulthood he was appointed a prophet. Prophet Yahya is famous for his gentle, loving nature, clean, slick, and zuhud. In addition, he wept much for fear of Allah, always inviting his people to repent and abandon their obedience, and reminding them of the consequences of their transgressions. The prophet Yahya baptized his people by washing away their sins and wrongs in the Jordan River (asy-Shari’ah) and he also baptized the Prophet Jesus.
Prophet Yahya died of murder. It is told in one account that in that time, one of the kings who was notoriously evil and shalim, Herod wanted to marry a woman who was not lawful to him. The woman was named Herodia who was none other than her own nephew, her sister's daughter.
The woman was very beautiful; had a very attractive body and appearance. Upon hearing the news, Prophet Yahya spontaneously forbade and opposed the marriage and announced its annulment. Yahya's attitude was spread throughout the city. Unhappy, the woman plans to kill Yahya. To fulfill her wish, Herodia preached to her uncle who was none other than her future husband with a beaming and seductive face. He then ensnared Herod with deceit until his uncle fell asleep with his soft words. His uncle then asked, “What can I do for you?”
Herodia replied, “If my master is pleased, I only want the head of Yahya bin Zakaria.”
The king also granted his future wife's request by sending someone to behead Prophet Yahya. Allah said, “Truly those who disbelieve in the verses of Allah and kill the unjust prophets and kill those who tell people to do justice, then gladden them that they will receive a painful torment.” (QS. Ali-‘Imran [3]: 21).
In the Quran, the name Yahya as is mentioned 5 times, as follows.
The Word of Allah SWT :
O Zechariah, We have indeed given you the glad tidings of a son whose name is Yahya, whom We have not created before like him. Zechariah said: “Yes my Lord, how will there be a child for me, whereas my wife is a barren person and I (himself) have actually reached a very old age”. God says: “Thus”. The Lord said: “It was easy for Me; and indeed I created you before that, whereas you (at that time) did not exist at all”. Zakaria said: “Yes my Lord, give me a sign”. The Lord said: “The sign for you is that you cannot converse with man for three nights, when you are healthy”. So he went out from the mihrab to his people, and he beckoned to them; let you glorify in the morning and in the evening. O Yahya, take the Book (Torah) seriously. And we gave him wisdom as long as he was a child, and a deep sense of compassion from Our side and holiness (and sin). And he was a pious man, and a dutiful man to his parents, and he was not a proud man anymore. Peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he died and the day he was raised alive.
On Surat Aali ‘Imran (Ali ‘Imran) [3] :paragraph 39,
The Word of Allah SWT :
Then the Angel (Jibril) called Zechariah, while he was standing praying in the mihrab (he said): “Surely Allah pleased you with the birth (of your son) Yahya, that justifies the sentence (which comes) of Allah, being a follower, restraint (of lust) and a Prophet including the descendants of the righteous”.
On Surat Al-An’aam (Al-An’am) [6]: verse 85,
The Word of Allah SWT :
Zachariah, Yahya, Isa and Ilyas. All of them include those who pray.
On Surat Al-Anbiyaa’ (Al-Anbiya’) [21] :paragraph 90,
The Word of Allah SWT :
So We permitted do’a, and We bestowed upon Yahya and We made his wife pregnant. Verily, they are those who have been quick in (doing) good deeds, and they pray to Us with hope and anxiety. And they are the ones who solemn’ to Us.
