Prophet Yahya (as) was the son of Prophet Zakariya (as).
The
family tree of Zakariya AS, Yahya AS, Maryam AS and Isa AS is closely linked.
Yahya AS would later be related to Isa AS,
as his mother, the wife of Zakariya AS, was the maternal aunt of Maryam AS.
According to some reports, the wife of Zakariya AS and Maryam AS were with
child at around the same time.
His
birth was a miracle because he was born of a barren mother, and an aged father.
Zakariya (as) prayed for a son earnestly.
Allah responded to his prayers, and soon the angels arrived with good news!
They informed the Prophet that Allah himself
has named the child as Yahya (as). When the Prophet asked for a sign, the angel
said that he will not be able to talk for the next three days!
Zakariya (as) could not talk for the next
three days, just like the angels told him. He had to communicate using gestures
during that period!
After a few months, the Prophet was blessed
with a baby boy. He named the boy Yahya (as). Even as a child, Yahya (as) was
unlike any other kids. In a world where children used to amuse themselves,
Yahya (as) was serious all the time.
Most children took delight in torturing
animals, but the young Prophet Yahya (as) was merciful to them. He fed the
animals from His food, and he ate the fruit or leaves of trees! Yahya (as)
loved reading books since childhood.
When
He grew up, Allah the exalted called upon him. "Oh Yahya, hold fast to the
Torah". He said Allah (s.w.t) blessed him with wisdom even as a child!
Yahya (as) soon became the wisest and most
knowledgeable man during that time. Soon, Allah blessed him with abilities to
pass judgements on people's affairs! He interpreted the secrets of religion; he
guided the people on to the right path, and warned them of evil.
By the time He reached his maturity, his
compassion for people and animals increased greatly. He called the people to
repent the sins.
Once it so happened that Zakariya (as) and
His wife went searching for Yahya (as) who had been missing for many days. Prophet
Zakariya (as) went searching for his son who didn't come home for three days.
He them found Him sitting in a grave, which He had dug himself. Zakariya (as)
was surprised to see the Young Prophet Yahya (as) weeping.
The old Prophet Zakariya (as) said "My
Son"
"I had been searching for you
everywhere!"
"Why you sitting in this grave and
weeping?"
He asked Him (as) "O father" the
young Prophet Yahya (as) answered.
"Didn't
you tell me that the span between Paradise and Hell can be crossed only by the
tears of weepers?"
The old
Prophet Zakariya (as) was surprised to hear the wisdom of his son.
"Weep
then, my son" He said to Him, and they wept together!
They say that Yahya (as) wept so much that tears marked His cheeks! Yahya (as) found comfort in the open, and never cared about food. He sometimes ate grass, leaves and herbs as well. He slept anywhere in the mountains of holes in the ground.
He would never pay any heed to the animals,
and would continue to pray and sleep inside. The beast easily recognized Yahya
(as) as the Prophet, and they would leave the cave.
The Prophet Yahya (as) would sometime feed
the beasts from his own food! He would then satisfy himself with the prayers
for his soul. He would then spend rest of the night, crying and praising Allah
(s.w.t).
When
Yahya (as) called people to worship Allah (s.w.t), He made them cry out of love
and submission! He arrested their hearts, with the truthfulness of His words!
It’s
clear why Prophet Yahya spoke to the people about Isa Al-Masih. Through Isa, we
can know the way to Heaven. And Isa is the expression of Allah’s mercy towards
people. Prophet Yahya wanted everyone to understand this.
A
conflict took place between Prophet Yahya (as) and the authorities at that time.
A
tyrant king, Herod Antipas, the ruler of Palestine, was in love with Salome,
his brother's daughter. He was planning to marry his beautiful niece. The
marriage was encouraged by her mother and by some of the learned men of Zion,
either out of fear or to gain favor with the ruler.
On hearing the ruler's plan, Prophet Yahya AS pronounced that such a marriage would be incestuous.
He
summoned everyone and told them that He would never approve, as it was against
the Torah! The Prophet's pronouncement spread like wildfire! When Salome heard
this, she got really angry! It was her ambition to rule the kingdom with her
uncle. That night, Salome plotted to get the Prophet killed!
Thus, Prophet Yahya AS (John the Baptist), the last of the Old
Testament prophets, was killed for no other reason than spreading God’s word
and telling the truth.
Salome
danced in Seven Veils before Herod for the Head of Prophet Yahya as (John the
Baptist)
After Salome danced before Herod and his
guests at a festival, he promised to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by
her mother, Herodias, who was infuriated by Prophet Yahya’s condemnation of her marriage.
She demanded the head of Prophet Yahya as,
on a platter, and the unwilling Herod was forced by his oath to have Prophet Yahya (John Baptist) beheaded.
Salome took the platter with Prophet Yahya (John’s) head and gave it to her
mother.
Herod is portrayed as lusting after Salome,
while Salome, in her turn, desires Prophet
Yahya (John the Baptist); she finally satisfies her corrupt wishes by kissing
the lips of the severed head of Prophet Yahya, who had spurned her. Hence,
Salome has become an erotic symbol in art, and it is likely that it is her
provocative “Dance of the Seven Veils”.
Who
was Salome?
Salome, (flourished 1st century CE),
according to the Jewish historian Josephus, the daughter of Herodias and step
daughter of Herod Antipas, tetrarch (ruler appointed by Rome) of Galilee, a
region in Palestine.
In Biblical literature she is remembered as
the immediate agent in the execution of John the Baptist. She was twice
married, first to the tetrarch Philip (a half brother of her father, Herod
Philip, and a son of Herod I the Great) and then to Aristo ulus (son of Herod
of Chalcis
According to the Gospels of Mark (6:14–29)
and Matthew (14:1–12), Herod Antipas had imprisoned John the Baptist for
condemning his marriage to Herodias, the divorced wife of his half brother
Herod Philip (the marriage violated Mosaic Law), but Herod was afraid to have
the popular prophet killed.
The cruel woman gloated with delight. But
the death of Allah's beloved prophet was avenged. Not only she, but all the
children of Israel were severely punished by invading armies which destroyed
their kingdom. His grave
is in Umayyad Mosque in Syria.
The End
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