Definition
Elijah, known in Arabic as Ilyās (إلياس), is regarded in Islam as a prophet (nabī) who was sent by God to guide the people of Israel. He is mentioned in the Qur'an and Islamic tradition (ḥadīth) as a righteous messenger who called his community to monotheism and moral rectitude.
Overview
In the Islamic narrative, Ilyās is presented as a prophetic figure who preceded and, in some traditions, was contemporaneous with the prophet Elisha (ʿĪshāq). The Qur'an references him briefly in two verses, emphasizing his role as a warner and his steadfastness in the face of opposition. The Islamic tradition expands upon these brief mentions, preserving stories analogous to those found in the Biblical account, such as confronting the worship of Baʿal and performing miracles to demonstrate divine power. Ilyās is also associated with asceticism and the preservation of faith among a community that had turned to idolatry.
Etymology/Origin
The name Ilyās (إلياس) is the Arabic transliteration of the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning “My God is Yahweh” or “Yahweh is my God”. The Arabic form retains the original Semitic root (ʾ-L-Y) connected to the divine name Yahweh. In Islamic literature, the name appears in the Qur'an (Surah Al‑Anbiʾā’ 21:85 and Surah As‑Saffat 37:123‑132) and in various classical tafsīr (exegesis) works.
Characteristics
- Prophetic Mission: Ilyās is described as a messenger who called the Israelites to abandon idolatry, particularly the worship of the deity Baʿal.
- Miraculous Acts: Islamic sources attribute to him the miracle of invoking rain during a severe drought, a sign of divine favor and power.
- Perseverance: He is portrayed as steadfast, enduring hostility from his community while maintaining his devotion to God.
- Ascetic Lifestyle: Some narrations depict Ilyās as living a simple, devout life, emphasizing piety over material concerns.
- Connection to Later Figures: In some traditions, Ilyās is linked to the eschatological figure al‑Mahdī and is considered among the prophets who will return before the Day of Judgment, though such assertions are not uniformly accepted across all Islamic schools of thought.
Related Topics
- Prophet Ilyās (Elijah) in the Qur'an – Verses and exegesis concerning his mention.
- Prophet Elisha (ʿĪshāq) – Successor in the Judeo‑Christian narrative, also recognized in Islamic literature.
- Baʿal worship in Ancient Israel – The idolatrous practice that Ilyās opposed.
- Islamic Prophetic Tradition (Nubuwwah) – The broader concept of prophethood within Islam.
- Tafsir literature – Classical commentaries that elaborate on the life and significance of Ilyās.
Note: While the Qur'an provides limited detail on Ilyās, the majority of his story in Islamic tradition derives from exegetical works and hadith literature, which vary in their level of authenticity and detail.