يحيى
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
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.
إيشاع
Ishya (Elizabeth)
Mother (from the family of 'Imran)
زكريا
Zakariyya
Father
يحيى
Yahya (John the Baptist)
Prophet (peace be upon him)
Family members named in the Quran and authentic Sunnah.
Father
زكريا
Zakariyya (Zechariah)
Named in the Quran repeatedly as his father, who prayed for a son in old age and to whom Yahya was granted as a divine gift (Al 'Imran 3:38-41, Maryam 19:2-15, al-Anbiya 21:89-90).
Mother
The wife of Zakariyya
Referred to in the Quran as Zakariyya's wife, previously barren, whom Allah made able to conceive Yahya (Al 'Imran 3:40, Maryam 19:5-8, al-Anbiya 21:90). Her personal name is not given in the Quran or authentic Sunnah; Isra'iliyyat sources call her Ishaʿ (Elisheba), the sister of Maryam's mother – making Zakariyya a maternal uncle-by-marriage to Maryam, whom he raised as guardian.
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.