The Quranic Attributes of Prophet Yahya علیہ السلام

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The Quranic Attributes of Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام

Sayyid Muhammad Arman Attari, 5th year student, Jamiat al-Madina Faizan e Bahar e Madina, Orangi Town, Karachi

Prophet Zakariyyā عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was blessed by Allah Almighty with a beloved son known as Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. He remained detached from worldly desires, often weeping out of love and yearning for Allah Almighty. He fearlessly spoke the truth, unbothered by the criticism of others, and this exceptional trait eventually led to his martyrdom. In the state of prostration, he gained the honour of being martyred.[1]  His name is Yayā, and his blessed lineage reaches back to Prophet Sulaymān b. Dāwūd عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام. Allah Almighty also mentioned the attributes of Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام in the noble Quran. Let us learn about 5 Quranic attributes of Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام:

1.   Fear of Allah Almighty - All the prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام were deeply mindful of Allah Almighty. Similarly, Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام possessed immense fear of Allah Almighty. This attribute of his is described by Allah Almighty in the noble Quran as follows:

وَ کَانَ تَقِیًّا (ۙ۱۳)

And he was extremely fearful ˹of Allah˺.[2]

2.   Obedience to Parents - Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was obedient to his parents and expressed kindness towards them. Allah Almighty states:

وَّ بَرًّۢا بِوَالِدَیۡہِ

And ˹he˺ was dutiful towards his parents.[3]

3.   Humble - Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was exceedingly humble and displayed utmost submission to Allah. He never displeased his Lord by being arrogant. Allah Almighty mentioned this attribute of his in the noble Quran as follows:

وَ لَمۡ یَکُنۡ جَبَّارًا عَصِیًّا (۱۴)

And was neither hostile nor disobedient.[4]

4.   Gentle-hearted: The noble Quran mentions that Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was very gentle-hearted. While describing this attribute in the noble Quran, Allah Almighty states:

وَّ حَنَانًا مِّنۡ لَّدُنَّا وَ زَکٰوۃً ؕ وَ کَانَ تَقِیًّا (ۙ۱۳)

And compassion from us, and purity; and he was extremely fearful (of Allah).[5]

5.   Swift in performing Good Deeds - Prophet Yaعَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was known for his beautiful attribute of being swift in performing good deeds. Allah Almighty states:

اِنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا یُسٰرِعُوْنَ فِی الْخَیْرٰتِ

 “Indeed, they (the aforementioned Prophets) would hurry to perform good deeds,”[6]

It is essential for us to study the lives of the noble prophets عَـلَـيْهِمُ السَّلَام with enthusiasm and dedication, and embrace their blessed qualities and habits. By doing so, we can demonstrate a deep love for these esteemed personalities through our actions. For an in-depth understanding of the lives of the prophets, refer to the book "Sīrat al-Anbiyāˈ".



[1] Sīrat al-Ambiyā, p. 767

[2] Al-Quran, 19:13, Translation from Kanz al-Īmān

[3] Al-Quran, 19:14, Translation from Kanz al-Īmān

[4] Al-Quran, 19:14, Translation from Kanz al-Īmān

[5] Al-Quran, 19:13, Translation from Kanz al-Īmān

[6] Al-Quran, 21:90, Translation from Kanz al-Īmān


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