Prophets
Who was Prophet Yahya? His life and story
A Prophet given wisdom in childhood, pious and devoted to his parents
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At a glance
- His father
- Prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him)
- His birth
- As an answer to Zakariyya's prayer
- His main quality
- Being given wisdom and mercy in childhood
- His character
- Pure, pious and dutiful to his parents (Maryam, 14)
- In the Quran
- Mentioned in Surah Maryam and Surah Ali 'Imran
Story summary
Yahya (peace be upon him) was born as the answer to a prayer that Prophet Zakariyya made in his old age. Allah gave him wisdom while he was still a child; he grew to be a Prophet who was pure, pious, merciful and dutiful to his parents. The Quran mentions him as one of those who confirmed Isa (peace be upon him) (the word of Allah).
Full story
His miraculous birth
Yahya (peace be upon him) was the fruit of a prayer that Prophet Zakariyya had made for many years. When his father had grown old and his mother was barren, Allah granted them this righteous child.
Allah Himself gave him his name at birth and stated that no one had borne this name before him (Maryam, 7). His arrival was a clear sign of Allah's power and of the answer He gives to prayer.
Wisdom given in childhood
Allah commanded Yahya: "O Yahya, hold firmly to the Book!" and gave him wisdom while he was still a child (Maryam, 12). He grew into a person with a tender heart, pure and far from sin.
The Quran describes him as pious, dutiful to his parents, and neither arrogant nor disobedient (Maryam, 13-14). It states that peace was upon him on the day he was born, the day he will die, and the day he will be raised again (Maryam, 15).
Peace at three moments, and the Night Journey
Allah sends peace upon Yahya (peace be upon him) at three important moments of his life: "And peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is raised alive" (Maryam, 15). This peace shows his high station before Allah.
When our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was raised through the heavens on the night of the Miraj, he saw Yahya (peace be upon him) and Isa (peace be upon him) in the second heaven; they welcomed him with the words "Welcome, O righteous brother and righteous Prophet" (Sahih Bukhari).
In the Quran
The story of Yahya (peace be upon him) is narrated in the Quran mainly in Surah Maryam and Surah Ali 'Imran, together with the story of his father Zakariyya. Allah presents him as a Prophet given wisdom in childhood, deeply pious and obedient to his parents, and counts him among those who confirmed Isa (peace be upon him) (Ali 'Imran, 39).
Lessons and wisdom
- Allah does not make wisdom dependent on age: He can give it to a servant He wills even in childhood.
- Being dutiful to one's parents is also one of the defining qualities of the Prophets.
- Purity, piety and humility are the fruit of faith.
- A prayer made for a righteous child brings good to generations to come.
Sources
This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.
- QuranSurah Maryam, 12
This verse relates Allah commanding Yahya (peace be upon him) to hold firmly to the Book in childhood and giving him wisdom.
- QuranSurah Maryam, 14
This verse describes Yahya as pious and dutiful to his parents.
- QuranSurah Ali 'Imran, 39
This verse states that Yahya was one of those who confirmed the word of Allah (Isa).
- QuranSurah Maryam, 15
This verse relates peace being sent upon Yahya (peace be upon him) on the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is raised.
- HadithSahih Bukhari, 3207
This hadith relates our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) seeing Yahya (peace be upon him) and Isa (peace be upon him) in the second heaven on the night of the Miraj.
- Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Yahyâ"
Referenced for academic information about the life and qualities of Prophet Yahya.
Related Prophets
Other Prophets connected with this story.
Related dream interpretation
Meaning as a personal name
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this Prophet.
Who was Prophet Yahya?
Yahya (peace be upon him) is the son of Prophet Zakariyya, a Prophet given wisdom in childhood, pious and dutiful to his parents. His story is narrated in Surah Maryam and Surah Ali 'Imran.How was Prophet Yahya born?
He was born by Allah's grace as the answer to a prayer his father Zakariyya made in his old age, while his mother was barren (Maryam, 7).What was Prophet Yahya's main quality?
The Quran describes him as a person given wisdom while still a child, pure, pious and dutiful to his parents (Maryam, 12-14).How is Prophet Yahya connected to Isa?
The Quran mentions Yahya as one of those who confirmed Isa (peace be upon him), the word of Allah (Ali 'Imran, 39). Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also saw them together in the second heaven on the night of the Miraj (Sahih Bukhari).