|
Al-Yasa has been mentioned twice in the Holy Qur'an:
And commemorate Ismail, Elisha and Dhul-kifl; each of them was of the
company of! the good. (58:48)
And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Ilyas all in the ranks of the
righteous; and Ismail and Elisha (Al-Yasa) and Jonas and Lot; each have We
preferred above the nations. (To them) and their fathers and progeny and
brethren, We chose them and We guided them to a straight way. (6: 85-87)
The commentators give no account of him except that he was the son of
Ukhtub. The Bible says that his father was Shaphat.
Al-Yasa was the cousin and spiritual successor of the Prophet Ilyas (peace
be upon him).
One day Ilyas (peace be upon him) passed through the fields while the owner
(Al-Yasa) was busy in ploughing. No sooner had the owner seen the Prophet
than he abdicated his own work and approached Ilyas (peace be upon him) in
hot haste. Al-Yasa began to follow him. The Prophet was much surprised and
remarked: Why do you accompany me after leaving your own work? Al-Yasa
retraced his steps and fetched his ox. He slaughtered it, lit the fire and
cooked the beef. He fed Ilyas, his companions and many other guests to seek
the pleasure of Allah. The Prophet was much pleased with the host for his
sincerity, hospitality and righteousness. When Ilyas(peace be upon him) was
about to depart, Al-Yasa expressed his keen desire to live in the company of
his honourable guest during the rest of his life and serve him whole
heartedly as a humble servant. As the noble attitude of Al-Yasa had
enamoured Ilyas (peace be upon him), the latter accorded him permission
without hesitation. When the Prophet Ilyas (peace be upon him) was on his
death-bed, he wished to bid him farewell. AL-Yasa was not prepared to leave
him. Then Ilyas (peace be-upon him) asked him to express any of his desires
to be fulfilled. Al-Yasa said: I wish that Allah may bestow blessings upon
me in the same way as He has blessed you. The Prophet Ilyas (peace be upon
him) supplicated and invoked blessings of Allah upon his successor. His
prayer was granted. Allah chose Al-Yasa as His Prophet after the death of
Ilyas (peace be upon him). He derived spiritual magnificence from the
company of his guide and became the favourite of Allah.
After some time he proceeded to Yariha to preach the religion of Allah. The
inhabitants of that locality gave him a warm reception. At that time they
were under the spell of starvation. The land was barren and water was not
available. Al-Yasa (peace be upon him) supplicated to Allah to show mercy to
the famine-stricken people. His prayer was granted and Allah showered his
bounties upon them. |
