Elijah (Ilyās) in Islam
Etymology and Language Translations
Elijah is translated into Arabic as Ilyās (الياس) and sometimes referred to as Ilyāsīn (الياسين). In Hebrew, the name is אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyahu), and in the New Testament, it appears as Ἠλίας (Elias).
Qur’anic References
Elijah (Ilyās) is acknowledged as a prophet in Islam and is mentioned in several verses of the Qur’an:
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Surah As-Saffat (37:123-130):
1"Verily Ilyās was of the Apostles; and when he said to his people, 'Will ye not fear, Do ye call upon Ba'l and leave the best of Creators, God your Lord, and the Lord of your fathers in the old time?' But they called him a liar; verily, they shall surely be arraigned, save God’s sincere servants. And we left him amongst posterity. Peace be upon Ilyāsīn, verily, thus do we reward those who do well; verily he was of our servants who believe." -
Surah Al-An’am (6:85):
1"And Zechariah and John, and Jesus, and Ilyās, all of them were of the righteous."
Scholarly Interpretations
Al-Baiẓāwī, a famous Islamic scholar, suggests multiple interpretations of Ilyās:
- Identified with Idrīs: Some traditions hold that Ilyās is the same as Idrīs, whom some see as a pre-flood prophet and an ancestor of Noah.
- Descendant of Aaron: Other interpretations suggest that Ilyās was the son of Yāsīn and a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses.
Significance in Islam
Elijah (Ilyās) is revered as a prophet who vocally opposed idolatry and called his people to the worship of the one true God. His unwavering faith and dedication to God are highlighted, and he stands as a model for steadfast belief and righteous living in the face of opposition.
Books for Further Study
- “Stories of the Prophets” by Ibn Kathir - This book contains detailed narratives about various prophets, including Ilyās.
- “The Prophets in the Quran” by Brannon M. Wheeler - Provides insights into how the Qur’an portrays the prophets, including Elijah.
- “Tafsir Ibn Kathir” (Quranic Commentary) - Contains interpretations and explanations of the verses of the Qur’an that mention Ilyās.
Takeaways and Conclusion
- Elijah (Ilyās) is highly regarded in Islamic tradition.
- Qur’anic Mentions: He is explicitly mentioned in Surah As-Saffat and Surah Al-An’am.
- Interpretations: Scholars differ on his exact lineage, with some equating him to Idrīs and others to the lineage of Aaron.
- Role: He exemplifies unwavering devotion and resistance against idolatry.
Understanding the figure of Elijah (Ilyās) in Islam fosters a richer comprehension of the shared prophetic heritage that bridges Islamic, Christian, and Jewish traditions.
