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Prophet Ilyās (Elijah) – عليه السلام
Prophet Ilyās (عليه السلام) was a noble and steadfast messenger of Allāh, sent to a rebellious nation at a time when the flame of Tawḥīd had nearly been extinguished. He was a descendant of Hārūn (Aaron) عليه السلام, and was raised among the people of Bani Israel in a period following the great kingship of Sulaymān (عليه السلام), when the Israelites began falling into severe moral and spiritual decay. They abandoned the worship of Allāh and turned instead to the vile idolatry of Ba‘l — a false deity associated with fertility and rain — and committed open transgressions. In the face of this darkness, Allāh raised Ilyās as a beacon of light to revive the call to pure monotheism.
The Qur’an says:
"And indeed, Ilyās was from among the messengers. When he said to his people, 'Will you not fear [Allāh]? Do you call upon Ba‘l and leave the best of Creators — Allāh, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?'"
(Surah As-Sāffāt 37:123–126)
Ilyās (عليه السلام) preached passionately to his people, urging them to abandon their idol worship and return to the worship of Allāh alone, the One who created them, sustained them, and provided every blessing they had. He called with sincerity, wisdom, and perseverance, warning them of the consequences of turning away from divine guidance. However, like many prophets before him, he faced stubborn resistance, mockery, and rejection. The people of Ba‘l-bek (in what is now Lebanon) clung to their idols and sinful lifestyles, ignoring the voice of their prophet. Ilyās was deeply grieved by their rebellion but remained patient and consistent in delivering Allāh’s message.
As their denial persisted, Allāh withheld rain and sustenance from them as a form of punishment, leading to a severe drought and famine. Still, their arrogance continued. It is said in various tafāsīr that after this warning, Allāh instructed Ilyās to leave his people temporarily, and during this time, the drought worsened. Yet even after witnessing signs of divine power, their hearts remained hard. Eventually, the wrath of Allāh descended upon the most rebellious among them.
Despite all this, Ilyās (عليه السلام) never lost his devotion to Allāh. He continued his worship, remained steadfast in remembrance, and made constant du‘ā for his people. The Qur’an praises him as among the righteous and chosen ones:
"Peace be upon Ilyāsīn. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. He was truly among Our believing servants."
(Surah As-Sāffāt 37:130–132)
According to many classical scholars like Ibn Kathīr, Ilyās was eventually succeeded by another prophet — his student and follower, Al-Yasaʿ (Elisha) عليه السلام. Some reports from the traditions of Ahl al-Kitāb (People of the Book) suggest that Ilyās was raised to the heavens without facing death, similar to Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus) عليه السلام, though this is not confirmed with certainty in the Qur’an or authentic hadith. However, what remains clear is that his devotion, purity, and unwavering call to Tawḥīd made him one of the most honored prophets in Allāh’s sight.
Prophet Ilyās (عليه السلام) lived a life of detachment from the material world, choosing the path of worship and struggle in the way of Allāh over worldly fame or ease. His story is not long in the Qur’an, but his legacy is eternal — that of a man who stood firm while others faltered, who reminded a lost people of their Creator, and who walked in the noble footsteps of prophets before him.
💎 Lessons from the Life of Ilyās (عليه السلام):
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Tawḥīd above all else: Ilyās teaches us to never compromise the Oneness of Allāh, even when surrounded by falsehood.
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Patience in da‘wah: Success is not always seen in numbers. True success lies in conveying the truth with sincerity.
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Spiritual strength over worldly validation: Even when the world turns away, Allāh remains with His righteous servants.
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Leave a legacy of truth: His da‘wah laid the foundation for Al-Yasaʿ’s mission and kept the light of guidance alive.
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