يحيى
Yahya (John the Baptist)Al-Siddiq al-Shahid (The Truthful Martyr)
Also known as: John, John the Baptist
Nation / People
The Children of Israel in the Levant
Period
Contemporary of Isa (Jesus); approximately 1st century BCE to 1st century CE
Lifespan
Approximately 30 years according to some narrations
Burial Place
Al-Quds (Jerusalem); the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, also claims to house his head
Message
Pure devotion to Allah from youth, chastity, and speaking truth even to rulers. His life demonstrates that the most honourable life is the one spent in complete submission to Allah.
Lineage
- 1.Zakariyya- Father
- 2.Ishya (Elizabeth)- Mother (from the family of 'Imran)
Key Miracles
- Born to an elderly barren mother as a sign of Allah's power
- Given wisdom, the Torah, and compassion as a child
Key Stories
- Given the name Yahya by Allah, a name no one had borne before him
- Described by Allah as: 'We gave him judgement while yet a boy'
- Confirmed the word (Isa) from Allah
- Known for his asceticism, chastity, and devout worship
- Martyred: a unjust king had him beheaded at the instigation of a wicked woman
Mentioned in the Quran
Special Characteristics
Given wisdom in his youth and described as 'compassionate from Us, and pure; and he was righteous, and dutiful to his parents, and was not a disobedient tyrant.' He is the only Prophet named by Allah before his birth. He confirmed the prophethood of Isa (Jesus) and was a model of chastity and devotion.