Al-Yasa' (a): Difference between revisions

Alyasa’ [Elisha] was among the prophets of Bani Israel who was chosen for prophethood after prophet Elyas [Elijah]. His name is mentioned in the Qur’an twice; and the Bible has introduced him in more details comparing to the Qur’. Some exegetes of the Qur’an considered Alyasa’ a name for some other figures such as Khidr and Yusha’ [Joshua]. In Shi’a hadiths, some miracles such as curing the ill and walking on water are narrated about him.

The name of Alyasa’ is mentioned twice in the Qur’an in suras al-An’am and Sad. In those verses, without mentioning anything about the personality or prophethood of Alyasa’, he is mentioned as “exalted” and “among the excellent”. Briefness of the indication of the Qur’an to Alyasa’ and the little information in tafsir and hadiths sources about him has caused many scholars to consider him a name for some other prophets.

Some exegetes considered Alyasa’ the same the prophet Yusha’ [Joshua], and considered the name Alyasa’ adopted from it. Some considered him to be actually Prophet Khidr. On the opposite, some others considered him a prophet having this name from the progeny of Abraham (a) and one of the prophets of Bani Israel.

The name of “Alyasa’” is mentioned “Elisha” in the Bible. It has spoken about him in more details comparing to the Qur’an. There, the story of his separation from Elyas, his miracles and his conversations with different people are narrated.

In his youth, when Alyasa’ had become ill, regained his health through the prayer of Elyas and afterwards became his disciple and accompanied him everywhere. After Elyas ascended to the skies, Alyasa’ was chosen for prophethood. Based on hadiths, the conditions of observing religion changed in his time. Ahab, the king of Bani Israel and his wife who led people toward idol-worshipping perished at the time of Alyasa’. Also during his prophethood, many of Bani Israel accepted his invitation.

In a hadith from Imam al-Rida (a), it is mentioned that Alyasa’, the same as Jesus (a), had some miracles including revival of the dead, curing the ill and walking on water.