The story of the Prophet Yahya, a merciful person and defender of truth
Prophet Yahya was the son of Prophet Zakaria whose birth had been eagerly awaited for decades.
His birth was truly special because previously the Prophet Zakaria felt it was almost impossible to have children.
Until one day the Angel Gabriel gave the good news about Yahya's birth.
As a prophet, his name is mentioned 5 times in the Koran, namely in Surah Ali Imran verse 39, Al An'am verse 85, Al Anbiya verse 90 and in Surah Maryam verses 7 and 12.
There are several lessons that can be learned, for example about his compassion for all living creatures and also his courage to uphold the truth in the face of unjust leaders.
He is the son of the Prophet Zakaria who is clever and loves all living things
(photo: pinterest)
Apart from being known as the only son of the Prophet Zakaria, Prophet Yahya was also the cousin of Maryam bint Imran. The meaning of the name Yahya is life. Previously there had never been someone named Yahya.
This name is a direct gift from Allah SWT and was conveyed through the Angel Gabriel. Some traditions say he was born three months earlier than the Prophet Isa, son of Mary.
Since childhood, his personality has been very kind, intelligent, and good at controlling his desires. His good attitude is not only aimed at humans, but also other creatures created by Allah.
One time, he reminded his friends who were playing while torturing birds. He asked his friends to free the bird.
Including the group of pious people like other prophets sent to the Children of Israel
(photo: Islamic lecture)
When he was appointed as a prophet, he became a leader (sayyidan) who was highly respected by his people, the Children of Israel.
He also has a well-maintained personality (hashuran), and can resist various seductions and temptations, including from women.
Like other prophets among the Children of Israel, Prophet Yahya was ordered to stick to the Torah. In the Koran, his name is mentioned along with three other prophets as pious people.
He preached following his father who called out the Children of Israel who still had many sins. He encouraged people to repent and take a big bath in the Jordan River.
A big bath is taken to purify oneself from sins. In Christian teachings, a large bath like this is known as baptism.
His existence was not liked by King Herodus who was known to be tyrannical
(photo: Suaramuhammadiyah)
His polite and wise presence in society apparently made King Herodus unhappy. Because of the teachings he brought, the Children of Israel began to turn away from the influence of King Herodus.
One day King Herodus had a plan. The king summoned him to ask for an opinion. It is said that King Herodus intended to marry someone who was actually not lawful for him, Princess Herodia.
Some say that this woman was the stepdaughter of King Herodus, but others called her the niece of King Herodus.
His attitude was firm and said that incestuous marriage is prohibited by Allah SWT.
He also said that there would be doom if the marriage continued. But King Herodus continued to insist on his own choice and showed an angry attitude and did not accept his words.
Dare to defend the truth in front of unjust leaders even if you have to risk your life
(photo: flickr)
Even though he was initially asked for his opinion, King Herodus locked him in prison. Even Princess Herodia was not happy with him and asked King Herodus to punish him by beheading him.
He was finally killed when he was still young, namely 32 years. It turns out that God really brought down punishment on King Herodus and his followers.
It didn't end there, King Herodus also planned to kill the Prophet Zakaria. But with the permission of Allah SWT, Prophet Zakaria was able to hide in a tree. The tree was cut down by people ordered by King Herodus.
At the end of their lives, Prophet Yahya and Prophet Zakaria finally died as martyrs because they had defended Allah's religion.
Kisah Nabi Yahya, Pribadi Penyayang dan Pembela Kebenaran
Nabi Yahya adalah putra dari Nabi Zakaria yang kelahirannya sangat dinantikan puluhan tahun lamanya.
Kelahirannya benar-benar istimewa karena sebelumnya Nabi Zakaria merasa hampir mustahil untuk memiliki keturunan.
Sampai suatu hari Malaikat Jibril memberikan kabar gembira tentang kelahiran Yahya.
Sebagai seorang nabi, namanya disebut 5 kali dalam Alquran, yaitu di Surat Ali Imran ayat 39, Al An’am ayat 85, Al Anbiya ayat 90 dan di Surat Maryam ayat 7 dan 12.
Ada beberapa hikmah yang bisa dipetik, misalnya tentang kasih sayangnya kepada semua makhluk hidup dan juga keberaniannya menegakkan kebenaran di hadapan pemimpin yang zalim.
Merupakan putra Nabi Zakaria yang pandai dan menyayangi semua makhluk hidup
(foto: pinterest)
Selain dikenal sebagai putra satu-satunya dari Nabi Zakaria, Nabi Yahya juga merupakan sepupu dari Maryam binti Imran. Arti nama Yahya adalah berarti hidup. Sebelumnya belum pernah ada seseorang yang bernama Yahya.
Nama tersebut merupakan pemberian yang langsung dari Allah SWT dan disampaikan melalui Malaikat Jibril. Beberapa riwayat menyebut ia lahir tiga bulan lebih awal daripada Nabi Isa, putra Maryam.
Sejak kecil, pribadinya sangat baik, cerdas, dan pandai mengendalikan hawa nafsu. Sikap baiknya tidak hanya ditujukan untuk manusia, tapi juga makhluk ciptaan Allah lainnya.
Pada suatu ketika, ia mengingatkan kawan-kawannya yang sedang bermain sambil menyiksa burung. Ia minta agar kawan-kawannya membebaskan burung tersebut.
Termasuk golongan orang saleh seperti nabi-nabi lain yang diutus untuk Bani Israil
(foto: kuliahislam)
Saat diangkat sebagai nabi, ia menjadi seorang pemimpin (sayyidan) yang sangat disegani kaumnya, Bani Israil.
Ia juga memiliki kepribadian terpelihara (hashuran), bisa menahan diri dari berbagai rayuan dan godaan, termasuk dari perempuan.
Seperti nabi-nabi lain di tengah kaum Bani Israil, Nabi Yahya pun diperintah untuk tetap berpegang teguh pada Kitab Taurat. Dalam Alquran, namanya disebutkan bersama ketiga nabi lain sebagai orang-orang yang saleh.
Ia berdakwah mengikuti sang ayah yang menyeru pada Bani Israil yang masih saja banyak bermaksiat. Ia menganjurkan orang untuk bertobat dan mandi besar di sungai Jordan.
Mandi besar dilakukan untuk dapat menyucikan diri dari dosa-dosa. Pada ajaran Nasrani, mandi besar seperti ini dikenal sebagai pembaptisan.
Keberadaannya tidak disukai oleh Raja Herodus yang terkenal zalim
(foto: suaramuhammadiyah)
Kehadirannya yang bersikap santun dan bijaksana di tengah masyarakat ternyata membuat Raja Herodus tidak senang. Karena ajaran yang dibawanya menjadikan Bani Israil mulai berpaling dari pengaruh Raja Herodus.
Suatu hari Raja Herodus memiliki rencana. Raja memanggilnya untuk dimintai sebuah pendapat. Konon, Raja Herodus berniat menikahi seseorang yang sebenarnya tidak halal untuknya, Putri Herodia.
Ada yang menyebut bahwa perempuan tersebut merupakan anak tiri dari Raja Herodus, tapi sebagian yang lain menyebutnya keponakan dari Raja Herodus.
Sikapnya tegas dan mengatakan bahwa pernikahan sedarah itu adalah larangan Allah SWT.
Ia juga menyebut bahwa akan ada azab jika pernikahan tetap dilaksanakan. Tapi Raja Herodus tetap bersikeras dengan pilihan sendiri dan menunjukkan sikap marah dan tidak terima dengan perkataannya.
Berani membela kebenaran di depan pemimpin yang zalim walau harus bertaruh nyawa
(foto: flckr)
Walau awalnya ia dimintai pendapat, tapi Raja Herodus malah mengurungnya di penjara. Bahkan Putri Herodia pun tidak senang dengannya dan meminta agar Raja Herodus menghukumnya dengan cara memenggal kepalanya.
Ia pun akhirnya dibunuh ketika usianya masih muda yaitu 32 tahun. Ternyata Allah benar-benar menurunkan azab kepada Raja Herodus beserta pengikutnya.
Tidak selesai di situ, Raja Herodus juga berencana membunuh Nabi Zakaria. Tapi atas seizin Allah SWT, maka Nabi Zakaria bisa bersembunyi di sebuah pohon. Pohonnya diteban oleh orang suruhan Raja Herodus.
Pada akhir hayatnya, Nabi Yahya dan Nabi Zakaria akhirnya meninggal dalam kondisi syahid karena telah membela agama Allah.