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John the Baptist in Islam

Yaḥyā ibn Zakariyā (Arabic: يحيى ابن زكريا, literally Yahya/John, son of Zechariah), identified in English as John the Baptist, is considered in Islam a prophet of God who was sent to guide the Children of Israel. He is believed by Muslims to have been a witness to The Word of God, heralding the coming of Isa Al-Masih (Jesus Christ).[3][4]

Yaḥyā

c. 1st Century BC

Beheaded at Machaerus

Isa

Zakariya (Zechariah)
Isha' (Elizabeth) (in Sunnī literature),[1] Hananah (in Shī'ī literature)[2]

Isa (cousin), Mariam (aunt)

Yahya is mentioned five times in the Quran. [5]


Yahya is also honoured highly in Sufism as well as Islamic mysticism, primarily because of the Quran's description of Yāhya’s chastity and kindness.[6] Sufis have frequently applied commentaries on the passages on John in the Quran, primarily concerning the God-given gift of wisdom which he acquired in youth as well as his parallels with Jesus. Although several phrases used to describe John and Jesus are virtually identical in the Quran, the manner in which they are expressed is different.[7]

Assassination[edit]

During the prophethood of Yahya, a conflict occurred between him and Herod Antipas, who wanted to divorce his first wife and take as wife his former sister-in-law.[5] Yahya informed that the marriage might be abominably incestuous, and did not approve of the marriage. After this, Herod Antipas had Yahya imprisoned.[5] Yahya was then decapitated.[17][5] Yahya's head is believed to be inside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus.[18][19][20]

Legacy[edit]

In Islam, Yahya greeted Muhammad on the night of the Al-Isra al-Mi'raj, along with Isa (Jesus), on the second heaven.[21] Yahya's story was also told to the Abyssinian king during the Muslim migration to Abyssinia.[22] According to the Quran, Yahya was one on whom God sent peace on the day that he was born and the day that he died.[23] According to Al-Suyuti, Ibrahim stated that since the creation of the world the Heavens and the Earth wept only for two people, Yahya and Husayn.[24][25] According to a Hadith, Muhammad said: "Every son of Adam will come on the day of Resurrection and he will have sin against him except Yahya ibn Zakaryya".[26] Many Muslims compare Yahya with Husayn.[27]