John’s Childhood
John (pbuh) was born a stranger to the world of children who used to amuse themselves, as he
was serious all the time. Most children took delight in torturing animals whereas, he was merciful
to them.
He fed the animals from his food until there was nothing left for him, and he just ate fruit
or leaves of trees. John loved reading since childhood. When he grew up, Allah the Exalted called
upon him:
“O John! Hold fast to the Scripture (The Torah).” And We gave him wisdom while yet a child.
(Ch 19:12 Quran).
John’s Qualities
Allah guided him to read the Book of Jurisprudence closely; thus, he became the wisest and most
knowledgeable man of that time. Therefore, Allah the Almighty endowed him with the faculties of
passing judgments on people’s affairs, interpreting the secrets of religion, guiding people to the
right path, and warning them against the wrong one.
John reached maturity. His compassion for his parents, as well as for all people and all creatures,
increased greatly. He called people to repent their sins.
There are quite a number of traditions told about John. Ibn Asaker related that one time his
parents were looking for him and found him at the Jordan River. When they met him, they wept
sorely, seeing his great devotion to Allah, Great and Majestic.
Ibn Wahb said that, according to Malik, grass was the food of John Ibn Zakariyah, and he wept
sorely in fear of Allah. A chain of narrators reported that Idris Al Khawlawi said: “Shall I not tell
you he who had the best food? It is John Ibn Zakariyah, who joined the beasts at dinner, fearing to
mix with men.”
Why John Always Wept
Ibn Mubarak stated that Wahb Ibn Al-Ward narrated that Zakariayah did not see his son for three
days. He found him weeping inside a grave which he had dug and in which he resided.
“My son, I have been searching for you, and you are dwelling in this grave weeping!”
“O father, did you not tell me that between Paradise and Hell is only a span, and it will not be crossed except by tears of weepers?”
He said to him: “Weep then, my son.” Then they wept together.
Other narrations say that John (pbuh) said: “The dwellers of Paradise are sleepless out of the
sweetness of Allah’s bounty; that is why the faithful must be sleepless because of Allah’s love in
their hearts. How far between the two luxuries, how far between them?”
They say John wept so much that tears marked his cheeks.
John’s Love of Nature
He found comfort in the open and never cared about food. He ate leaves, herbs, and sometimes
locusts. He slept anywhere in the mountains or in holes in the ground. He sometimes would find a
lion or a bear as he entered a cave, but being deeply absorbed in praising Allah, he never heeded
them. The beasts easily recognized John as the prophet who cared for all the creatures, so they
would leave the cave, bowing their heads.
John sometimes fed those beasts, out of mercy, from his food and was satisfied with prayers as
food for his soul. He would spend the night crying and praising Allah for His blessings.
When John called people to worship Allah, he made them cry out of love and submission,
arresting their hearts with the truthfulness of his words.
A conflict took place between John and the authorities at that time. A tyrant king, Herod Antipas,
the ruler of Palestine, was in love with Salome, his brother’s daughter. He was planning to marry
his beautiful niece. The marriage was encouraged by her mother and by some of the learned men
of Zion, either out of fear or to gain favor with the ruler.
On hearing the ruler’s plan, John pronounced that such a marriage would be incestuous. He would
not approve it under any circumstance, as it was against the Law of the Torah.
John’s Cruel Death
John’s pronouncement spread like wildfire. Salome was angry, for it was her ambition to rule the
kingdom with her uncle.
She plotted to achieve her aim. Dressing attractively, she sang and danced before her uncle. Her arousing Herod’s lust. Embracing her, he offered to fulfill whatever she desired.
At once she told him: “I would love to have the head of John, because he has defiled
your honor and mine throughout the land. If you grant me this wish, I shall be very happy and will
offer myself to you.”
Bewitched by her charm, he submitted to her monstrous request. John was executed and his head was brought to Salome. The cruel woman gloated with delight.
But the death of Allah’s beloved prophet was avenged. Not only she, but all the children of Israel were
severely punished by invading armies which destroyed their kingdom
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