The Story Of Prophet Ilyas (PBUH)

The story of Prophet Ilyas (peace be upon him), known in English as Elijah, is one of the revered messengers mentioned in the Qur’an. His story is brief in the Islamic scriptures compared to other prophets, but it carries powerful lessons of faith, resilience, and steadfastness in the face of corruption and idol worship.

Living during a time of rampant disbelief and moral decay, Prophet Ilyas was chosen by Allah to guide the people of Bani Israel (Children of Israel) back to the path of righteousness and pure monotheism (Tawheed). His mission was to confront the worship of the idol Baal, a deity widely revered by his people, and to call them back to the worship of the One True God, Allah.

Background and Lineage

Prophet Ilyas (PBUH) is believed to be from the descendants of Harun (Aaron), the brother of Prophet Musa (Moses). He was sent to the people living in the region known as Baalbek, located in modern-day Lebanon.

This period followed the time of Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon), during which the kingdom of Israel was strong and united. But after his death, the kingdom weakened and people turned back to pagan practices. The worship of Baal became dominant, especially under the influence of corrupt leaders and priests who had abandoned the teachings of the Torah.

The Story Of Prophet Ilyas

Ilyas (PBUH) was sent to confront this widespread idol worship and revive the belief in the Oneness of Allah. His message was simple yet powerful:

“Will you not fear Allah? Do you call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators – Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?”
(Qur’an 37:124-126)

But the people of Baalbek, immersed in their worldly desires and blind to the truth, rejected his call. They mocked Ilyas and ridiculed his warnings. Despite their hostility, he remained patient and continued to preach, reminding them of the punishments that befell past nations that turned away from divine guidance.

Confrontation with Idol Worship

The center of the people’s misguidance was their devotion to Baal. They had constructed lavish temples and held ceremonies in Baal’s honor. Prophet Ilyas openly denounced these practices, calling the people to abandon their false gods.

He warned them of Allah’s punishment if they did not repent. However, the leaders and priests who benefitted from the status quo opposed him fiercely. They saw Ilyas as a threat to their power and influence over the masses.

In many narrations and tafsir (commentaries), it is suggested that Prophet Ilyas had to go into hiding at various times to escape threats against his life, yet he never gave up his mission.

Miracles and Divine Signs

While the Qur’an does not detail specific miracles of Prophet Ilyas (unlike Musa or Isa), Islamic scholars and historians mention that, much like other prophets, he was supported by divine signs. It is widely believed, based on narrations, that he prayed to Allah to withhold rain as a punishment for his people’s disobedience.

This resulted in a severe drought, causing famine and hardship. Yet the people still refused to recognize the truth. After some time, when they began to suffer greatly, some of them returned to Allah, and Ilyas prayed for the drought to end.

This miracle parallels the biblical story of Elijah, though in Islam, such events are always framed within the message of Tawheed and the absolute power of Allah.

Read about: The Story of Prophet Shu’aib

The Appearance of Prophet Al-Yasa’

One of the key events in Prophet Ilyas’s life was the appearance of Al-Yasa’ (Elisha, peace be upon him), whom Ilyas mentored. Al-Yasa’ was chosen by Allah to succeed Ilyas in prophethood. It is said that when Ilyas sensed that his mission was nearing its end, he entrusted Al-Yasa’ with continuing the message and guiding the people.

While some traditions suggest that Ilyas did not die a natural death and was raised up to the heavens like Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), this is not definitively confirmed in the Qur’an and remains within the realm of scholarly debate.

Qur’anic Mentions of Prophet Ilyas

Prophet Ilyas is mentioned by name in two places in the Qur’an:

1. Surah Al-An’am (6:85):

“And Zakariya and Yahya and Isa and Ilyas – all were of the righteous.”

Here, Ilyas is listed among a group of righteous prophets, which reflects his honorable status in Islam.

2. Surah As-Saffat (37:123–132):

“And indeed, Ilyas was among the messengers, when he said to his people, ‘Will you not fear Allah? Do you call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators?’… Thus indeed We reward the doers of good. Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.”

These verses confirm his prophethood, the struggle against idol worship, and his ultimate place among Allah’s chosen and righteous servants.

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Lessons from the Story of Prophet Ilyas

The life of Prophet Ilyas (PBUH) offers many important lessons:

Steadfastness in Faith: Ilyas never compromised his beliefs, even in the face of extreme opposition. He stood firm against an entire nation’s corruption.
Calling to Tawheed: His message was purely centered on monotheism, reminding us of the core of Islam: La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah).
Patience with Opposition: Though his people ridiculed and rejected him, he remained patient and trusted in Allah’s timing and wisdom.
Training a Successor: By mentoring Al-Yasa’, Ilyas demonstrated the importance of preparing future leaders to carry on the mission of truth.
Turning to Allah in Difficult Times: He prayed to Allah during droughts and calamities, teaching us to rely on divine help in hardship.

FAQs

Who was Prophet Ilyas (PBUH)?

Prophet Ilyas (Elijah) was a messenger of Allah sent to the Children of Israel to guide them away from idol worship and return to monotheism. He preached against the worship of Baal and is considered one of the righteous prophets in Islam.

Where is Prophet Ilyas mentioned in the Qur’an?

He is mentioned by name in Surah Al-An’am (6:85) and Surah As-Saffat (37:123–132). These verses confirm his prophethood and righteous character.

What was the main message of Prophet Ilyas?

His core message was Tawheed — the belief in the Oneness of Allah — and the rejection of idolatry. He warned his people of the consequences of worshiping false gods and called them to repent and return to Allah.

Did Prophet Ilyas perform miracles?

While the Qur’an doesn’t detail specific miracles, Islamic tradition suggests that he prayed for a drought which occurred as a divine punishment. This is considered a sign from Allah supporting his prophethood.

What happened to Prophet Ilyas at the end of his life?

There is no definitive account in the Qur’an about his death. Some Islamic narrations suggest that he was raised to the heavens like Prophet Isa (Jesus), but this is not universally agreed upon and is considered part of secondary sources.

Conclusion

The story of Prophet Ilyas (PBUH) is a timeless reminder of the power of sincere belief in Allah and the strength it brings to those who uphold it. Though his story in the Qur’an is brief, the lessons are immense. In a time when society had strayed far from righteousness, Ilyas was a guiding light — calling people back to the Creator with unwavering determination.

Today, Muslims remember Ilyas as one of the noble prophets whose life exemplifies courage, piety, and devotion. His legacy continues to inspire believers to speak the truth, uphold justice, and never compromise their faith, no matter how strong the opposition.

The Story Of Prophet Ilyas Faith, Struggle, and Tawheed