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'''Yahyā b. Zakariyyā (a)''' (Arabic: {{ia|یحیی بن زکریا}}) or '''John (a)''' was an [[Israelite]] prophet. He became a prophet when he was a child. The story of Yahya's (a) birth, despite his aged father and barren mother, is mentioned in the [[Qur'an]]. Yahya (a) was known for his [[asceticism]] and his abundant weeping in awe of [[God]]. | '''Yahyā b. Zakariyyā (a)''' (Arabic: {{ia|یحیی بن زکریا}}) or '''John (a)''' was an [[Israelite]] prophet. He became a prophet when he was a child. The story of Yahya's (a) birth, despite his aged father and barren mother, is mentioned in the [[Qur'an]]. Yahya (a) was known for his [[asceticism]] and his abundant weeping in awe of [[God]]. | ||
In [[Shiite]] traditions, the martyrdom of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] is likened to Yahya's tragic departure, and the [[imamate]] of [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]], [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], and [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]] in their childhood is likened to Yahya's (a) [[prophethood]] in his childhood. | In [[Shiite]] traditions, the martyrdom of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] is likened to Yahya's (a) tragic departure, and the [[imamate]] of [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]], [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], and [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]] in their childhood is likened to Yahya's (a) [[prophethood]] in his childhood. | ||
[[Mandeans]] consider themselves the followers of Yahya (a). In the [[Umayyad Mosque]] in [[Damascus]], there is a memorial known as Yahya's (a) grave. | [[Mandeans]] consider themselves the followers of Yahya (a). In the [[Umayyad Mosque]] in [[Damascus]], there is a memorial known as Yahya's (a) grave. | ||
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It is reported that the heavens and earth wept both when Yahya (a) was killed and when [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] was martyred. The Imam (a) would remember Yahya (a) and his murder on his way to [[Karbala]]. According to a hadith, the weeping of the heavens and earth happened only for Yahya (a) and al-Husayn (a). | It is reported that the heavens and earth wept both when Yahya (a) was killed and when [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] was martyred. The Imam (a) would remember Yahya (a) and his murder on his way to [[Karbala]]. According to a hadith, the weeping of the heavens and earth happened only for Yahya (a) and al-Husayn (a). | ||
==Moral Characteristics== | ==Moral Characteristics== | ||
Among Yahya's (a) characteristics, five are specifically mentioned: believing in Jesus (a), leadership in knowledge and practice, a righteous prophet, [[asceticism]] and nobility. About his asceticism and piety, it is mentioned that he would weep a lot in awe of God and would wear coarse clothes. In this regard, the [[Prophet (s)]] is reported to have said, "When Yahya went to [[Jerusalem]] in his childhood and saw rabbis putting on woolen shirts worshipping, he also put on coarse clothes and went to the temple to worship God." | Among Yahya's (a) characteristics, five are specifically mentioned: believing in Jesus (a), leadership in knowledge and practice, a righteous prophet, [[asceticism]] and nobility. About his asceticism and piety, it is mentioned that he would weep a lot in awe of God and would wear coarse clothes. In this regard, the [[Prophet (s)]] is reported to have said, "When Yahya (a) went to [[Jerusalem]] in his childhood and saw rabbis putting on woolen shirts worshipping, he also put on coarse clothes and went to the temple to worship God." | ||
It is said that whenever [[Zechariah (a)]] was preaching and Yahya (a) was among the audience, he would not mention anything about [[hellfire]] or [[Paradise]], as it would make Yahya (a) weep a lot. [[Imam Ali (a)]] is reported to have said, "Yahya (a) would weep a lot but would not laugh, [[Jesus (a)]] would both laugh and weep, and Jesus's manner was better than that of Yahya (a)." | It is said that whenever [[Zechariah (a)]] was preaching and Yahya (a) was among the audience, he would not mention anything about [[hellfire]] or [[Paradise]], as it would make Yahya (a) weep a lot. [[Imam Ali (a)]] is reported to have said, "Yahya (a) would weep a lot but would not laugh, [[Jesus (a)]] would both laugh and weep, and Jesus's manner was better than that of Yahya (a)." | ||
According to a hadith, no one should say that he is better than Yahya (a), because Yahya (a) never sinned and never paid attention to any women. However, some scholars have doubted the authenticity of this hadith as it appears to be against the Islamic teachings about the merits of marriage. | According to a hadith, no one should say that he is better than Yahya (a), because Yahya (a) never sinned and never paid attention to any women. However, some scholars have doubted the authenticity of this hadith as it appears to be against the Islamic teachings about the merits of marriage. | ||
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Later in his life, Yahya (a) became known as the Baptist. He would preach and many people would come from different cities to listen to his sermons.{{enote|[Matthew 3]:1-6, 1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.}} He would speak against hypocrite clerics and other impious figures.{{enote|[Matthew 3]:7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?}} However, the most important mission of Yahya (a), as recorded in the Gospels, was affirming Jesus (a) and his mission and baptizing him.{{enote|[Matthew 3]:11-17}} | Later in his life, Yahya (a) became known as the Baptist. He would preach and many people would come from different cities to listen to his sermons.{{enote|[Matthew 3]:1-6, 1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.}} He would speak against hypocrite clerics and other impious figures.{{enote|[Matthew 3]:7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?}} However, the most important mission of Yahya (a), as recorded in the Gospels, was affirming Jesus (a) and his mission and baptizing him.{{enote|[Matthew 3]:11-17}} | ||
One day, after a debate between a supporter of Jesus (a) and disciples of Yahya (a) about whether Yahya (a) was better or Jesus (a), | One day, after a debate between a supporter of Jesus (a) and disciples of Yahya (a) about whether Yahya (a) was better or Jesus (a), Yahya's (a) disciples went to him and he told them, "Everyone's obligation is determined by God from heaven. My obligation is to pave the way for people to refer to the Jesus (a). You yourselves are my witnesses that I said explicitly that I am not the Messiah but I have been sent to pave the way for him. In the wedding ceremony the bride goes to the bridegroom and his friends share their joy and delight with him. I am too, the bridegroom's friend and feel happy for his happiness".{{enote|[John 3]:27-30, 27 John answered, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.' 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.}} | ||
==Yahya (a) in Hadiths== | ==Yahya (a) in Hadiths== | ||