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Yahya (John the Baptist) was the son of Prophet Zakariyya (peace
be upon him). His birth was a miracle because. He was born of a
barren mother and an aged father. In the fagging part of life
Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) prayed to Allah to bless
him with a son who could prove to be a successful heir and
preacher of the religion of Allah. His prayer was promptly
granted. The Holy Qur'an says:
"0' Zakariya! Lo! We bring you a glad tidings of a son whose
name is Yahya. We have given the same name to none before him.''
(19: 7)
The Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) was dedicated to the noble
work of leading men to the path of salvation. He exhorted his
people to have unstinted faith in God. He moved among the humble
and despised sofe raiment. He was not arrogant. He spent most of
his life in wilderness. He was pure and devout. He was dutiful
towards his parents. The Holy Qur'an says:
"(And it was said unto his son) 0' John! Hold fast the
scripture. And We gave him wisdom when he was a child! And
compassion from Our presence and punity, and he was devout. And
dutiful towards his parents. And he was not arrogant,
rebellious. Peace on him the day he was born and the day he dies
and the day he shall be raised alive.'' (19: 12-15)
The Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) moved to the desert of
Judea. He dressed himself in a robe made of camel hair. He ate
simple food and wild honey. His sermons were most impressive and
people flocked to hear his trumpet message. The whole of the
Jordan valley was baptised due to his preaching. The Prophet
Yahya (peace be upon him) was the precursor of Prophet Isa
(Jesus Christ). He was his cousin and contemporary as well. His
fidelity to his mission as a preacher soon deprived him of his
liberty and subsequently his life.
The Roman Ruler Herod Antipas was the ruler of Galilee. He had
an adulterous relations with Herodias, the wife of his brother
Herod Philip. The Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him) reproached
him for this grave sin. Herod Antipas got annoyed and imprisoned
him till his execution. Once Herod Antipas arranged a grand
feast. Herodias allowed her daughter, Salome to dance. The Ruler
was fascinated with the performance of the dancing girl. He
declared that he would grant whatever Salome wanted. She
immediately made a demand for the head of Prophet Yahya (peace
be upon him). Herod was in a fix what to do. He had no
alternative to adhere to his words. So Prophet Yahya (peace be
upon him) was beheaded at the instigation of the mother of that
girl with whom Herod was infatuated. His grave is in Umayyah
Mosque in Syria.
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