Bismillah: In the Name of God the Most Merciful.
[Zachariah]exclaimed: “O my Sustainer! How can I have a son when
old age has already overtaken me, and my wife is barren?” Answered [the angel]: “Thus it is: God does what He
wills.” (Quran 3:40)
Today, June 24th, is St. John the Baptist Day, a cultural holiday celebrated
mainly by French Canadians, originally in honour of John the Baptist as the patron saint of Quebec.
Although some people see religion as an instrument to isolate culture,
there are facets of it that can draw all humans closer together. In fact, John the Baptist’s message to humanity was
to unite, to stand together, to hold firm against corruption and immorality.
St. John the Baptist is known in Islam as Prophet Yahya, peace be upon
him. He was the son of Zachariah (pbuh), who was himself a prophet to the Israelites and the guardian and uncle of Mary (peace
be upon her), the mother of Jesus; hence Yahya and Jesus were cousins (peace be upon them).
The Quranic account relates how Zachariah (pbuh), advanced in age, became
worried about the plight of his followers after he was gone. Some of his people had already left the path of moral righteousness,
straying from God’s guidance.
Zachariah (pbuh) feared for the future of humanity. Hence, he prayed
to Allah for another prophet, someone who would carry forth Allah’s message and save men from self-destruction. Allah
answered his prayers and sent an angel to him to proclaim Allah’s decree that he shall have a son.
When Zachariah (pbuh) heard this, he asked in amazement. “O
my Lord! How shall I have a son when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit with old age?” (19:8) He also
asked Allah for a “sign” that would let him know that his son would be born. Allah told him that his sign “shall
be that thou shall speak to no man for three days and nights, although thou art not dumb” (19:10). When the time approached,
Zachariah (pbuh) became mute for thee days and nights.
Thus Yahya, peace be upon him, was born. He grew up to be a leader of
his people, full of wisdom and love. Many accounts tell of his devoted love–not only for his parents but for
all of God’s creations–and of the respectful attitude he practised and taught his followers to practice
toward Allah’s creatures. He spent most of his time in the wilderness, enjoying life’s simplest sustenance and
seeking spiritual growth and truth. It is also reported that he was consulted by the townspeople each time a conflict arose
among them.
In his later life, Yahya’s moral uprightness brought him into conflict
with the ruling authorities. Herod, a provincial ruler under the Roman Empire, sought to marry into an incestuous union and
demanded Yahya’s approval. When Yahya (pbuh)condemned the king for such an act, the king and his followers decided to
imprison him. Although he understood the consequences of his actions, Yahya (pbuh) refused to support immoral acts that degraded
humanity. As a result, Herod put Yahya, peace be upon him, to death.
Consequently, Yahya (pbuh) died very young and, according to Muslim
belief, was buried in Syria.
Because of his devotion to Allah and his work in His path, Yahya (pbuh)
never married. Through his short life, he taught humanity much about standing firmly against immoral and unethical behaviours
that debase human dignity–regardless of contrary viewpoints advocated by ruling authorities. He gave humans a
true example of following the Right path and standing firm in the face of corruption, even at the cost of his life.
Truly, Allah does accomplish what He wills.
Hamida Hafizi
(Courtesy of the Standard Freeholder, June 24, 2006)
