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Al-Yasa has been mentioned twice in the Holy Qur'an:
And commemorate Ismail, Elisha and Dhul-kifl; each of them was of
the company of! the good. (58:48)
And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Ilyas all in the ranks of the
righteous; and Ismail and Elisha (Al-Yasa) and Jonas and Lot; each
have We preferred above the nations. (To them) and their fathers and
progeny and brethren, We chose them and We guided them to a straight
way. (6: 85-87)
The commentators give no account of him except that he was the son
of Ukhtub. The Bible says that his father was Shaphat.
Al-Yasa was the cousin and spiritual successor of the Prophet Ilyas
(peace be upon him).
One day Ilyas (peace be upon him) passed through the fields while
the owner (Al-Yasa) was busy in ploughing. No sooner had the owner
seen the Prophet than he abdicated his own work and approached Ilyas
(peace be upon him) in hot haste. Al-Yasa began to follow him. The
Prophet was much surprised and remarked: Why do you accompany me
after leaving your own work? Al-Yasa retraced his steps and fetched
his ox. He slaughtered it, lit the fire and cooked the beef. He fed
Ilyas, his companions and many other guests to seek the pleasure of
Allah. The Prophet was much pleased with the host for his sincerity,
hospitality and righteousness. When Ilyas(peace be upon him) was
about to depart, Al-Yasa expressed his keen desire to live in the
company of his honourable guest during the rest of his life and
serve him whole heartedly as a humble servant. As the noble attitude
of Al-Yasa had enamoured Ilyas (peace be upon him), the latter
accorded him permission without hesitation. When the Prophet Ilyas
(peace be upon him) was on his death-bed, he wished to bid him
farewell. AL-Yasa was not prepared to leave him. Then Ilyas (peace
be-upon him) asked him to express any of his desires to be
fulfilled. Al-Yasa said: I wish that Allah may bestow blessings upon
me in the same way as He has blessed you. The Prophet Ilyas (peace
be upon him) supplicated and invoked blessings of Allah upon his
successor. His prayer was granted. Allah chose Al-Yasa as His
Prophet after the death of Ilyas (peace be upon him). He derived
spiritual magnificence from the company of his guide and became the
favourite of Allah.
After some time he proceeded to Yariha to preach the religion of
Allah. The inhabitants of that locality gave him a warm reception.
At that time they were under the spell of starvation. The land was
barren and water was not available. Al-Yasa (peace be upon him)
supplicated to Allah to show mercy to the famine-stricken people.
His prayer was granted and Allah showered his bounties upon them. |