بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Two Martyrs:

Prophet Zakariyya (A.S) and Yahya (A.S) 

Zakariyya (A.S) and Yahya (A.S) were great prophets sent to the children of Israel. Zakariyya was a righteous servant of Allah in a time and place where most of his people had forgotten the teachings of God and were interested in pursuing worldly pleasures. He prayed for a righteous son that would continue to spread the message of Allah amongst the children of Israel. His son Yahya (A.S) and Isa (A.S), who were cousins, faced harsh treatment from their people. However they held fast to the rope of Allah and continued working to spread the truth despite trials and tribulations.

Who was Zakariyya? 

Zakariyya (A.S) was one of the many great prophets who came to the children of Israel. He worked to earn his living, and he also served as a priest to Allah in the temple of Jerusalem. He was among many other members of his family that worshiped and worked as a priest in the temple as well.

   Zakariyya (A.S) was saddened that many priests of his time served in the temple for power and praise. They no longer held the true spirit of sincerity to serve God and the people. Zakariyya was determined to remain faithful to Allah and sincerely serve his message. His fellow priests found his values and principles to be rigid, as they thought his was gave no worldly benefit.

Zakariyya and Maryam

 Zakariyya (A.S), used to watch over Maryam (A.S), the future mother of Prophet Isa (A.S). Maryam was a relative of Zakariyya's wife and she grew up under Allah's protection. A daughter of pious parents, she used to spend much time worshiping alone at the temple under Zakariyya's spiritual supervision. Her sustenance and food were given to her by Allah and indeed her growth was a "goodly growth."

 When Zakariyya entered her chamber, he would find her with sufficient food and fruit that were out of season. Allah says in Surat Al-Imran,

“So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, "O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?" She said, "It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account."

A Father's Prayer

  The years had taken their toll on the Prophet Zakariyya (A.S). He was now old and bent with age, in his nineties. Despite his feebleness, he went to the temple daily to deliver his sermons. Zakariyya was not a rich man, but he was always ready to help those in need. His one disappointment in life was that he had no children, for his wife was barren. This worried him, for he feared there was no one after him to carry out his work. The people needed a strong leader, for it they were left on their own, they would move away from Allah's teachings and change the Holy Laws to suit themselves.

 Zakariyya was encouraged that if Allah could provide Maryam with special sustenance, then he might also bless them with a child even in old age. His Tawakkul or sincere reliance on Allah and his faith was extremely strong. Therefore, Prophet Zakariyya turned to His lord, praying for the righteous offspring:

1. Kaf- Ha-Ya-'Ain-Sad.

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

2. (This is) a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His slave Zakariyya (Zachariah).

3. When he called out his Lord (Allah) a call in secret,

4. Saying: "My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, and I have never been unblessed in my invocation to You, O my Lord!

5. "And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from yourself an heir,

6. "Who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Ya'qub (Jacob) (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophet hood, not the wealth, etc.). And make him, my Lord, one with whom you are Well-pleased!”

A Prayer Answered

Allah knows what is in the hearts of men and women. While Zakariyya was standing in prayer, the called unto him:

7. (Allah said) "O Zakariyya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, His name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him)."

8. He said: "My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age?"

9. He said: "So (it will be). Your Lord says; It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing!"

10. [Zakariyya (Zachariah)] said: "My Lord! Appoint for me a sign." He said: "Your sign is that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect."

Zakariyya came out to his people from his chamber, and told them by signs to celebrate Allah’s praises in the morning and in the evening. Zakariyya was a very grateful servant, as Allah had shown him mercy through accepting his du’aa’. Allah bestowed on him a righteous son and blessed their family.

Allah’s grace

God answered Zakariyya’s prayers and bestowed him with a son, Yahya, or john who was wise, kind, obedient, and not rebellious. Allah chose Yahya as another messenger to the children of Israel, like his father prophet Zakariyya. Upon blessing him with prophet hood, Allah ordered Yahya to hold to his message with all his power. This means that Allah wanted him to learn his guidance in a profound manner and practice it thoroughly. Allah says in Surat Maryam:

11. Then he came out to his people from Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room, etc.), he told them by signs to glorify Allah's Praises in the morning and in the afternoon.

12. (It was said to his son): "O Yahya (John)! Hold fast the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)]." And we gave him wisdom while yet a child.

13. And (made him) sympathetic to men as a mercy (or a grant) from Us, and pure from sins [i.e. Yahya (John)] and he was righteous,

14. And dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient (to Allah or to his parents).

15. And Salamun (peace) be on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life (again)!

Prophet Yahya

Yahya (A.S) 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.
Yahya loved reading since childhood. When he grew up, Allah the Exalted called upon him: "O Yahya! Hold fast to the Scripture (The Torah)." And we gave him wisdom while yet a child. (19:12 Quran).
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.
Yahya 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 Yahya. 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 Yahya Ibn Zakariyya, 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 Yahya Ibn Zakariyya, who joined the beasts at dinner, fearing to mix with men."
Ibn Mubarak stated that Wahb Ibn Al-Ward narrated that Zakariyya 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 Yahya (A.S) 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 Yahya wept so much that tears marked his cheeks. 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 Yahya as the prophet who cared for all the creatures, so they would leave the cave, bowing their heads.
Yahya 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.

Yahya’s Mission and Teachings

bayt al maqdis

Imam Ahmad, on the authority of al harith al-asharri, narrated that the messenger of Allah said “Allah ordered Yahya the son of zakariyya with five commands, to proclaim and establish these commands amongst the children of Israel without delay. Therefore gathered the children of Israel in the temple of bayt al maqdis and sat down on high place .after praising Allah and thanking him for his grace, he said:”Allah almighty ordered me to observe five command’s amongst you:

 (1) Worship Allah and worship none along him

(2) Offer prayers

(3) Observe fasting

(4) Give charity

(5) Continue your remembrance of Allah almighty in your daily life.

Incredible Piety

Even in his young life, prophet Yahya was granted the following gifts:

(1) Wisdom and knowledge

(2) Empathy and love for all God’s creature

(3) Humility in his manners and his clothing and possessions, as he despised luxury and 9

(4) Piety

Additional to the above qualities, prophet Yahya was very active in serving Allah, particularly during his youth. These characteristics in his personality were demonstrated through his conduct, as he loved god and love god’s creature. He never used violence, nor did he ever mistreat any other human being or creature. He was particularly kind and merciful with his parents, always obedient to them.

Spiritual brothers

Yahya and Isa were sent to the same group of people and had a lot in
 common. They were brothers in spirit and were given complementary tasks as prophets of Allah. Yahya held fast to the teachings of Allah in a world which had not only forgotten these teachings, but had also turned to evil and corruption in order to reap benefit. The greatness of Yahya was that he kept hold of god’s teachings with all his might, not allowing any worldly affairs to distract them.

Yahya prepared the way for Isa who can to renew the reinterpret the torah .from the outset,isa declared that he was the servant of God, thus negating the false notion that he was god or the son of god .both Isa and Yahya shared the same devotion to the five commands that Allah ordered them to propagate amongst the peopleYahya was the forerunner of Isa .just as his father hoped; both Yahya and Isa served as prophets of Allah and renewed the belief and message of Allah amongst the children of Israel.

Death of Prophet Yahya and Zakariyya

The Banu Isra'il was going through extreme mischief. The King Herod Anitpas was madly in love with his sister-in-law (brother's wife) and they had illicit relationship. He wanted to marry her, but that was disallowed in their religion (as taught by Prophet Musa AS). He sought a ruling in his favour from Yahya, but he told him that she was not lawful to him. On hearing this, his was. Salumi was a great dancer and very beautiful. Her mothers conspired with her that she should dance before the king and give him much wine to intoxicate him deeply. When he made advances, she should ask him for Yahya head Salumi did as her mother said to her. While dancing, she made the king drink plenty of wine. When he sought to make love to her, she asked for Yahya to be killed, and he gave orders accordingly. The Prophet's head was brought to the king in a golden tray. A miracle was displayed. The head spoke the same words, "she is not lawful for you". The king and his courtiers were stupefied on hearing that.

When Sayyidina Yahya AS learnt that his son was killed, he cursed his murderers and they died at the instant. When people learnt of that they seized revenge from Sayyidina Yahya AS and slew him while he was in his chambers. However, these events brought a spate of misfortunes on Banu Isra'il. Allah caused Bakht Nasr to oppress them He played havoc with them and levelled down their city and temple and arrested every surviving one for them. Allah destroys the tyrants in this way.

Allamah Ibn Kathir has written in al-Bidayahh wa an-Nihayah: Many reasons are mentioned for killing Sayyidina Yahya AS. The most well-known of them is that the king of Damascus wanted to marry a woman who was closely related to him which made her unlawful for him. Sayyidina Yahya AS disallowed him to do that. Hence, the woman demanded from the king that the Prophet should be killed. When the head of Sayyidina Yahya AS was brought in a tray, the woman looked at it and died at the very moment. Some others say that the Queen was in love with Sayyidina Yahya AS and asked him to meet her but he declined. Disappointed, she had the king order his death. At first the king hesitated but then gave in. The Prophet was killed and his head was presented in a tray to the king,

Thawri reported on the authority of Thamar ibn Atiyah that as many as seventy Prophets AS were martyred at the rock of Bayt al Maqdis, Sayyidina Yahya AS was one of them.

Sa'eed ibn Musayyid reported that when Bakht Nasr came to Damascus, the blood of Sayyidina Yahya AS was bubbling. He made enquiries. Then he had seventy thousand men killed at the spot. It was then that the blood cooled down. This shows that he was killed in Damascus. Bakht Nasr came after Sayyidina Isa AS and Hasan Busri concur with this account.

Ibn Asakar has reported from Zayd ibn Waqid, "When the foundation of the mosque of Damascus was being laid, I saw Sayyidina Yahya AS head on the eastern corner towards the qiblah under a pillar. His skin and hair were intact." According to another version, "it looked as though he was murdered at that time" It is said that his head was buried under the pillar Sakasakah of the mosque of Damascus.
Ibn Asakir has mentioned the reason for killing Sayyidina Yahya AS. He said, A prince had divorced his wife with three pronouncements, but wanted to take her back. He sought a ruling from Sayyidina Yahya AS, but he ruled that he cannot take her back unless she marries another man. This infuriated the woman and her mother advised her to ask the king to have him killed (He was killed and) his head was brought in a china tray. The head spoke out, "She is not lawful for you. She is not lawful...unless you marry her to another man." Allah caused the earth to swallow the woman, first her feet and then till her buttocks. When her mother saw her, she commanded a sword-bearer to kill her and he severed her head. There followed for the people a disgrace and they were eliminated.
His head continue to pour blood till Bakht Nasr had seventy-five thousand people killed at the blood. Then Prophet of Banu Isra'il, Sayyidina Armiya AS arrived and said "O Blood, you have eliminated Banu Isra'il. Stop by the command of Allah" The blood ceased to flow. However, the very first account is more known.

tomb of prophet zakariyya

tomb of prophet yahya

The Christian perspective The Qur’an and the Bible also come together in the story of Zacharias/Zakariya. Both books describe the wonder of the elderly woman. In the Bible, she is called Elizabeth, (few women are named in the Qur’an), who becomes pregnant with John/ Yahya. In the Bible this John is called ‘the Baptist’ because he baptized Jesus, and to distinguish him from other Johns such as the writer of one of the Gospels. In the Qur’an there is no baptism for there is no original sin from which people must be cleansed. In the Qur’an the only John is the son of Zakariya. In both books his birth is announced by an angel, who tells Zacharias that he will be struck dumb as a sign. In the Bible, this dumbness is a punishment for not believing the angel. In the Qur’an, Zakariya himself asks for a sign. The Bible and the Qur’an complement each other regarding the relationship of the Zacharias family to Mary, who comes to prominence as the mother of Jesus. Maryam is the daughter of the prophet Imran. When her mother is pregnant with her, her father Imran dies. His wife promises her child (whom she presumed would be a son) to God. When the child turns out to be a girl, she keeps her promise, even though women in those days were not allowed to be educated in the temple. Maryam’s uncle Zakariya agrees to take care of the child and build her a private house within the temple precincts. He is amazed when the little girl is mysteriously provided with food and drink. This background gives the Biblical story of the meeting between Elizabeth and Mary more depth. The Qur’an identifies the elderly lady as Mary’s aunt, married to the priest who had raised and educated her. The unborn John recognizes Jesus as his Lord. The meeting is full of joy. Here the stories complement each other. The Biblical story of the life and death of John the Baptist is not in the Qur’an. Nor is the epithet ‘Baptist’ given to Yahya, there is no baptism in the Qur’an because there is no original sin which has to be washed away. And there is no mention of a meeting between John and Jesus. The concept of baptism is connected to the concept of original sin in the Bible, though absent in the Qur’an. In the Bible, John, who baptizes Jesus, is famous for preparing the way of the Lord. During his baptism Jesus sees a dove and hears a voice proclaiming him to be the Son of God. This idea is explicitly countered in the Qur’an, in which no-one is seen as the son of God. The Qur’an does, however, accord both Jesus and John great importance. They are included in the list of distinguished prophets. Both books describe John as a peace-loving and ascetic man.

Reference 1)http://www.bibleandkoran.net/verhaal.php?lIntEntityId=23 2)http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?74802-Prophet- Zakariya-and-Yahya  3)LEARNING ISLAM-3