In the Qur’an, Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist) is mentioned a few times. He is praised as a prophet who is devout, righteous, and a forerunner to the Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him).
Mentions in the Quran:
1. Surah Al-An’am (6:85)
Arabic:
وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ
Translation:
“And Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias – and all were of the righteous.”
2. Surah Maryam (19:7)
Arabic:
يَـٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ ٱسْمُهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا
Translation:
“O Zechariah, indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be John. We have not assigned to any before this name.”
3. Surah Maryam (19:12-15)
Arabic:
يَـٰيَحْيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِقُوَّةٍۢ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّۭا
وَحَنَانًۭا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةًۭ ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّۭا
وَبَرَّۢا بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّۭا
وَسَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّۭا
Translation:
“[Allah said], ‘O John, take the Scripture with determination.’ And We gave him judgment [while yet] a boy
And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah
And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant
And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive.”
4. Surah Al-Anbiya (21:89-90)
Arabic:
وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًۭا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٲرِثِينَ
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ وَأَصْلَحْنَا لَهُۥ زَوْجَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًۭا وَرَهَبًۭا ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ لَنَا خَـٰشِعِينَ
Translation:
“And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, ‘My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors.’
So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.”
The story of Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist, peace be upon him) is a beautiful narrative of piety, devotion, and divine wisdom. In the Qur’an, his life is presented as an example of righteousness, obedience, and dedication to Allah. His story is closely linked with that of his father, Prophet Zakariya (Zechariah, peace be upon him), and his cousin, Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him). Below is a detailed account of his life, based on Islamic teachings and the Quranic narrative.
The Birth of Prophet Yahya (PBUH)
Prophet Yahya (PBUH) was born in response to the prayers of his father, Zakariya (PBUH), who was an old man and childless. Zakariya (PBUH) was concerned that he had no heir to carry on his mission of guiding his people. Despite his advanced age and his wife being barren, he fervently prayed to Allah for a righteous child.
Quranic Verses Related to Zakariya’s Prayer
In Surah Maryam (19:2-7), Zakariya’s (PBUH) sincere supplication is recorded:
- “˹This is˺ a reminder of your Lord’s mercy to His servant Zechariah, when he cried out to his Lord privately, saying, ‘My Lord! Surely my bones have become brittle, and gray hair has spread across my head, but I have never been disappointed in my prayer to You, my Lord! And I am concerned about ˹the faith of˺ my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So grant me, by Your grace, an heir who will inherit ˹prophethood˺ from me and the family of Jacob. And make him, O my Lord, pleasing ˹to You˺!'”
Allah accepted Zakariya’s prayer and announced to him through angels the glad tidings of a son, Yahya (PBUH), who would be unique and exceptional in his characteristics.
In Surah Maryam (19:7), Allah says:
- “O Zechariah, indeed We give you good tidings of a boy whose name will be Yahya. We have not assigned to any before this name.”
The name Yahya (PBUH) was divinely given, and it was a unique name that had not been bestowed upon anyone prior. Zakariya (PBUH) was amazed and asked how he could have a child when he was of advanced age and his wife was barren. Allah responded that it was a decree from Him, for nothing is impossible for Him.
Young Life of Prophet Yahya (PBUH)
Prophet Yahya (PBUH) was special even from his childhood. Allah granted him wisdom and knowledge at a very young age. He grew up to be a person of great piety, humility, and purity. Yahya (PBUH) was known for his deep devotion to Allah and his dedication to His service.
In Surah Maryam (19:12-14), Allah mentions Yahya’s (PBUH) early life:
- “[Allah said], ‘O Yahya, take the Scripture with determination.’ And We gave him judgment [while yet] a boy.
And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allah.
And dutiful to his parents, and he was not a disobedient tyrant.”
This passage highlights several important aspects of Yahya’s (PBUH) character:
- Wisdom and Knowledge: Yahya (PBUH) was given “hukm” (wisdom or judgment) even as a child, indicating that he was divinely inspired with knowledge and understanding beyond his years.
- Devotion and Fear of Allah: Yahya (PBUH) was deeply conscious of Allah and lived a life full of piety and reverence for his Creator.
- Kindness and Humility: Yahya (PBUH) was compassionate and pure-hearted, characterized by his gentle nature.
- Obedience to Parents: He was particularly noted for being dutiful and respectful towards his parents, a quality highly emphasized in Islam.
- Non-tyrannical: Yahya (PBUH) was humble and never arrogant or harsh in his behavior.
Prophet Yahya’s (PBUH) Mission
Yahya (PBUH) was given the mission to guide his people back to the worship of Allah. His message was centered on repentance, turning back to Allah, and following a life of righteousness. His mission paralleled that of Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), and he played a crucial role in preparing the way for the coming of Isa.
Prophet Yahya (PBUH) lived an austere life, often retreating to the wilderness for prayer and worship. He was known for wearing simple clothing made from animal skins and leading a life of humility. Yahya (PBUH) would preach fearlessly to his people, urging them to give up their sinful ways and seek forgiveness from Allah.
In the Islamic tradition, Yahya (PBUH) is often associated with the purification of souls and the call for repentance. His message was one of moral rectitude and preparing people spiritually for the coming of Prophet Isa.
The Martyrdom of Prophet Yahya (PBUH)
Prophet Yahya’s (PBUH) death was a tragic and unjust one. Yahya (PBUH) was martyred due to the corrupt actions of a tyrannical ruler of his time.
The ruler of Palestine during Yahya’s (PBUH) time was a cruel and corrupt man. He desired to marry his niece or a woman forbidden to him by the laws of Allah. Prophet Yahya (PBUH), as a fearless preacher of truth and righteousness, spoke out against this unlawful marriage. His stance earned him the hatred of the ruler and his court. The woman whom the ruler wished to marry demanded Yahya’s (PBUH) execution as a condition for the marriage. The ruler, though he feared Yahya (PBUH) because of his righteousness, ultimately gave in to her demands and ordered Yahya’s (PBUH) execution.
Prophet Yahya (PBUH) was martyred, and his noble soul was taken by Allah. In the Quran, although his martyrdom is not directly mentioned, the high status of Yahya (PBUH) in the sight of Allah is reflected in the following verse in Surah Maryam (19:15):
- “And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive.”
This verse highlights that Prophet Yahya’s (PBUH) life was one of peace, and he is among those blessed by Allah in this life and the hereafter.
Also, read the Story of Prophet Zakariya (Zachariah) (Pbuh)