Brief Biography of Prophet Ilyas عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم (Part 3)

Lives of the Prophets عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام

Prophet Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم (Part 3)

Mawlana Adnan Ahmad Attari Madani

The king asked for respite

The king said, “You have given us proof. Give us a day to think, so we may contemplate regarding this invitation to your religion.” Prophet Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم then left, intending to return and invite them again later. After he left, the king gathered all other kings of the nation and a host of Jewish scholars. “What do you think about this man?”, he asked them. The scholars said, “We saw qualities found in the Torah reflected in him, in that he was sent as a prophet; fire, mountains, and lions are subservient to him, and those who hear his voice shall humble themselves and mend their ways.”^[1]

The king did not believe

Some Jewish scholars remarked, “They have lied in their speech. This man is a magician (معاذ اللہ). There is nothing to fear.” The king subjected the Jewish scholars who spoke the truth to punishment and took on a harsh attitude towards Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم.^[2]

The misfortune of King Ājāb

King Ājāb, who initially believed in Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, then began opposing him. His wife declared, “You have turned away from the religion of truth after initially accepting it. Yet, I shall not turn away from the religion of Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم.” She then separated from King Ājāb.^[3]

Pillar of light

Ilyas عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم built a canopy near the palace. King ʿĀmīl’s wife was a pious woman, and she secretly left the palace one night to watch Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, who was busy worshipping Allah Almighty. She suddenly saw a pillar of light emerge, rising from the canopy into the sky. She immediately then believed in Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and became one of his followers.

When King ʿĀmīl learnt about this, he ordered for her to be thrown into fire. Soldiers did this to her, but Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم prayed to Allah Almighty and the fire did not harm her in the slightest. The king freed her, and she separated from her then disbelieving husband.^[4]

The good fortune of King ʿĀmīl

One day, King ʿĀmīl’s son passed away. He cried profusely and pleaded to his false god, but his son did not come back to life. The king became angry at this false god.

He then went to Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم and said, “My son has died, and my god cannot bring him to life. Can you bring him back?” Ilyās replied, “This is easy for my Lord.” He عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم prayed to Allah Almighty and the king’s son was brought back to life whilst saying, “There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Ilyās is His bondsman and messenger.”

The king witnessed this, abandoned his kingdom, began believing in Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم as a prophet, and started following him. He wore a garment made of cotton and busied himself with worshipping Allah Almighty. He remained steadfast upon faith for the rest of his life, even after the death of his ex-wife and son.

Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم continued to call his nation to the truth, yet they rejected and chose misguidance and disbelief instead.^[5]

Famine of the Israelites

Allah Almighty sent a revelation to Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, instructing him to invite the Israelites to the truth and warn them of divine punishment. If they did not accept, Allah Almighty would not allow it to rain and punish them with famine. Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم invited them to the truth, but they said, “We will never believe in you or your Lord. Do as you please.” Allah Almighty did not send any rain, water in the springs dried up, and fruit stopped growing on trees. After eating what they already had, they began eating livestock, and when this finished, resorted to consuming dogs, cats, and mice. When they could not find anything to eat after this, they ate the flesh of dead people.^[6]

A bird bringing meat and food

Allah Almighty sent another revelation, ordering for Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم to invite them to faith again. He made ways to their settlements. When reaching the first, he came across an old lady. “Do you have anything to eat?”, he asked her. In reply, she took oath by a false god and said, “I swear by my lord Bʿal! I have not kneaded bread in a long time.”

He then asked, “Why do you not believe in Allah Almighty?” She answered, “My son Yasaʿ follows the religion of Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم, but I think he received no benefit after accepting it. He is hungry and close to death.” Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم then called aloud; “O Yasaʿ! Would you like to eat bread?” Yasaʿ shouted from his home, “Where will bread come from for me?” After saying this he passed away, causing the old woman to wail and hit her face.^[7] Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم turned to her and inquired, “If Allah Almighty brought your son back to life and gave you your favourite food, would you believe in Him?” She replied, “Yes, I will then believe in Him.”

Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم stood, offered two units of salah, and made dua to Allah Almighty. The woman’s son was brought back to life and the latter recited the kalima; “I testify there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Ilyas is His bondsman and messenger.” She too began believing in Allah Almighty from that moment. A bird carrying a large pot of meat and food flew towards the old woman and her son, which they both ate from until they were full. The believing old woman told the nation what had transpired happened and tried to warn them regarding Allah Almighty’s punishment, but they strangled her in response and caused her to die as a martyr.^[8]

The believing woman brought to life

Yasaʿ was shocked and saddened at the martyrdom of his mother. Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم saw this and said, “Allah Almighty will soon bring your mother back to life and both of you shall be a great sign for this nation.” When he approached his nation, they were gathered around her corpse ready to eat her. He called out to them, and they scattered after realising who it was, whilst exclaiming, “You are indeed Ilyās عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم!” He then prayed to Allah Almighty and He brought the believing old lady back to life.^[9]