Stories Of The Prophets
Prophet Yahya (John)
John's Childhood
John (pbuh) was born a stranger to the world of
children who used to amuse themselves, as he was serious all the time.
Most children took delight in torturing animals whereas, he was
merciful to them. He fed the animals from his food until there was
nothing left for him, and he just ate fruit or leaves of trees.
John loved reading since childhood. When he grew up,
Allah the Exalted called upon him:
"O John! Hold fast to the
Scripture (The Torah)." And We gave him wisdom while yet a child. (Ch
19:12 Quran).
John's Qualities
Allah guided him to read the Book of Jurisprudence
closely; thus, he became the wisest and most knowledgeable man of that
time. Therefore, Allah the Almighty endowed him with the faculties of
passing judgments on people's affairs, interpreting the secrets of
religion, guiding people to the right path, and warning them against
the wrong one.
John reached maturity. His compassion for his parents,
as well as for all people and all creatures, increased greatly. He
called people to repent their sins.
There are quite a number of traditions told about John.
Ibn Asaker related that one time his parents were looking for him and
found him at the Jordan River. When they met him, they wept sorely,
seeing his great devotion to Allah, Great and Majestic.
Ibn Wahb said that, according to Malik, grass was the
food of John Ibn Zakariyah, and he wept sorely in fear of Allah. A
chain of narrators reported that Idris Al Khawlawi said: "Shall I not
tell you he who had the best food? It is John Ibn Zakariyah, who joined
the beasts at dinner, fearing to mix with men."
Why John Always Wept
Ibn Mubarak stated that Wahb Ibn Al-Ward narrated that
Zakariayah did not see his son for three days. He found him weeping
inside a grave which he had dug and in which he resided. "My son, I
have been searching for you, and you are dwelling in this grave
weeping!" "O father, did you not tell me that between Paradise and Hell
is only a span, and it will not be crossed except by tears of weepers?"
He said to him: "Weep then, my son." Then they wept together.
Other narrations say that John (pbuh) said: "The
dwellers of Paradise are sleepless out of the sweetness of Allah's
bounty; that is why the faithful must be sleepless because of Allah's
love in their hearts. How far between the two luxuries, how far between
them?"
They say John wept so much that tears marked his
cheeks.
John's Love of Nature
He found comfort in the open and never cared about
food. He ate
leaves, herbs, and sometimes locusts. He slept anywhere in the
mountains or in holes in the ground. He sometimes would find a lion or
a bear as he entered a cave, but being deeply absorbed in praising
Allah, he never heeded them. The beasts easily recognized John as the
prophet who cared for all the creatures, so they would leave the cave,
bowing their heads.
John sometimes fed those beasts, out of mercy, from his
food and was satisfied with prayers as food for his soul. He would
spend the night crying and praising Allah for His blessings.
When John called people to worship Allah, he made them
cry out of love and submission, arresting their hearts with the
truthfulness of his words.
A conflict took place between John 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, John pronounced that such
a marriage would be incestuous. He would not approve it under any
circumstance, as it was against the Law of the Torah.
John's Cruel Death
John's pronouncement spread like wildfire. Salome was
angry, for it was her ambition to rule the kingdom with her uncle. She
plotted to achieve her aim. Dressing attractively, she sang and danced
before her uncle. Her arousing Herod's lust. Embracing her, he offered
to fulfill whatever she desired. At once she told him: "I would love to
have the head of John, because he has defiled your honor and mine
throughout the land. If you grant me this wish, I shall be very happy
and will offer myself to you." Bewitched by her charm, he submitted to
her monstrous request. John was executed and his head was brought to
Salome. 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.