THE PROPHET YAHYA (peace be upon him)
Yahya (John the Baptist) was the son of Prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him). His birth
was a miracle because. He was born of a barren mother and an aged father. In the fagging
part of life Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) prayed to Allah to bless him with a son
who could prove to be a successful heir and preacher of the religion of Allah. His prayer
was promptly granted. The Holy Qur'an says:
"0' Zakariya! Lo! We bring you a glad tidings of a son whose name is Yahya. We have
given the same name to none before him.'' (19: 7)
The Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) was dedicated to the noble work of leading men to
the path of salvation. He exhorted his people to have unstinted faith in God. He moved
among the humble and despised sofe raiment. He was not arrogant. He spent most of his life
in wilderness. He was pure and devout. He was dutiful towards his parents. The Holy Qur'an
says:
"(And it was said unto his son) 0' John! Hold fast the scripture. And We gave him
wisdom when he was a child! And compassion from Our presence and punity, and he was
devout. And dutiful towards his parents. And he was not arrogant, rebellious. Peace on him
the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he shall be raised alive.'' (19:
12-15)
The Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) moved to the desert of Judea. He dressed himself in
a robe made of camel hair. He ate simple food and wild honey. His sermons were most
impressive and people flocked to hear his trumpet message. The whole of the Jordan valley
was baptised due to his preaching. The Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) was the precursor
of Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ). He was his cousin and contemporary as well. His fidelity to
his mission as a preacher soon deprived him of his liberty and subsequently his life.
The Roman Ruler Herod Antipas was the ruler of Galilee. He had an adulterous relations
with Herodias, the wife of his brother Herod Philip. The Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him)
reproached him for this grave sin. Herod Antipas got annoyed and imprisoned him till his
execution. Once Herod Antipas arranged a grand feast. Herodias allowed her daughter,
Salome to dance. The Ruler was fascinated with the performance of the dancing girl. He
declared that he would grant whatever Salome wanted. She immediately made a demand for the
head of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him). Herod was in a fix what to do. He had no
alternative to adhere to his words. So Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) was beheaded at
the instigation of the mother of that girl with whom Herod was infatuated. His grave is in
Umayyah Mosque in Syria.
Copied from 'THE ISLAMIC SCHOLAR'