Prophet Isaiah (AS) in Islam 

Prophet Isaiah, known in Arabic as Ishaya or Sha'ya (AS), has a respected position in Islamic tradition as one of the prophets sent to the Children of Israel (Bani Israel). 

Isaiah Prophet is not mentioned by name in the Quran. Still, he is acknowledged in classical Islamic scholarly works as a righteous messenger who called his people to worship Allah alone and follow His guidance. 

In this blog, we will explore what Islamic sources say about the Prophet Isaiah. 

Who Was Prophet Isaiah?

Prophet Isaiah lived during the 8th century BCE and was sent to the kingdom of Judah during a tumultuous period in the history of the Bani Israel. According to Islamic historical sources, Isaiah (AS) was the son of Amoz (Amisiah) and prophesied during the reign of several kings, most notably King Hezekiah (Hazkia).

His Position in the Chain of Prophets

According to the Islamic tradition, the Prophet Isaiah was sent between Prophet Dawud (AS) and Prophet Zakariah (AS), peace be upon them all. He came during a time when the Children of Israel had strayed from the path of righteousness and needed divine guidance to return to the worship of Allah.

Recognition in Islam

While Isaiah is not mentioned by name in the Quran, the Quran acknowledges that Allah sent many prophets whose stories were not fully detailed:

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًۭا مِّن قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُم مَّن قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّن لَّمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ۗ

"And We sent messengers before you. Among them are those whose stories We have related to you, and among them are those whose stories We have not related to you." (Quran 40:78)

Muslims believe in all prophets sent by Allah without distinction, making Isaiah an accepted prophet in Islamic belief.

Isaiah's Prophecies About Future Prophets

One of the most significant aspects of Isaiah's legacy in Islamic tradition concerns his prophecies about future prophets. 

Prophecy About Prophet Isa A.S (Jesus) 

Islamic sources, particularly Ibn Ishaq, state that Isaiah was among the prophets who prophesied about the coming of Prophet Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon him).

Prophecy About Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

The Prophet Isaiah also prophesied about the final prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).

Source: Wahb ibn Munabbih's narration, preserved in Ibn Kathir's Tafsir of Surah Al-Ahzab (33:46):

The Revelation to Isaiah: Allah revealed to Prophet Sha'ya (Isaiah), "Stand up among your people, the Children of Israel, and I shall cause your tongue to utter words of revelation."

The prophecy that followed described a future messenger who would possess several distinctive characteristics that perfectly match the description of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Description of the Coming Prophet:

The prophecy described a future messenger who would:

1. Be unlettered (illiterate) - unable to read or write
2. Have a gentle character - not harsh or severe in nature
3. Avoid unnecessary noise - not loud or boisterous in the marketplaces
4. He possesses profound tranquillity - so peaceful that if he passed by a lamp, it would not be extinguished by his presence
5. Bring a dual message - bearer of glad tidings (bashir) and a warner (nadhir)
6. Open sealed hearts - through him, Allah would open blind eyes, deaf ears, and sealed hearts to the truth. 

Islamic Interpretation of Prophecy

Muslim scholars interpret this prophecy as clearly referring to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), whose characteristics perfectly matched this description:

• He was known as "Al-Amin" (the trustworthy) for his character
• He was unlettered (ummi)
• He had a gentle and merciful nature
• He brought the Qur'an as both guidance and warning
• Through his message, countless hearts were opened to Islam

Major Events in Prophet Isaiah's (AS) Life

During the era of Prophet Isaiah, King Hezekiah was the ruler. He was a righteous and God-fearing ruler who distinguished himself by listening carefully to Isaiah's counsel and implementing his guidance. 

Under Isaiah's wise advice, affairs began to improve among the Israelites, demonstrating the positive impact that can occur when political authority is informed by prophetic wisdom and divine guidance. 

The Invasion of Sennacherib

One of the most important events in Isaiah's prophetic mission involved the Assyrian invasion. 

While King Hezekiah was suffering from a serious illness, his infected foot threatened his life. The kingdom faced an existential threat. King Sennacherib of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem with a massive army of sixty thousand soldiers. The people were terrified by this overwhelming military force. 

The Role of Prophet Isaiah in the Crisis 

In their desperation, King Hezekiah turned to Prophet Isaiah. He asked what Allah had revealed about Sennacherib and his army. Initially, no revelation came to Isaiah about the enemy threat, but then Allah revealed a message that must have seemed devastating. The king should prepare for his death and appoint a successor.

The King's Prayer

When Isaiah delivered this difficult message, King Hezekiah demonstrated the power of sincere faith and supplication. He turned toward the qibla and prayed with profound devotion and humility. Weeping and invoking Allah the All-Powerful and Majestic with a sincere heart, complete trust, and patient acceptance, he said: "O Lord of lords, and God of gods! O, Benevolent and Merciful One Whom neither sleep nor nodding can overpower, remember me for my deeds and my just judgment over the children of Israel; and all that was from You, and You know it better than I do, my open acts and my secrets are with You." This prayer exemplifies the Islamic understanding of complete submission to Allah while simultaneously making heartfelt supplication for mercy.

Allah's Response

Allah's response to the sincere prayer of the king was swift and generous. He had compassion on King Hezekiah's weeping and revealed to Isaiah that He would extend the king's life by fifteen years and save him from the enemy, Sennacherib. 

When Prophet Isaiah conveyed these glad tidings to Hezekiah, the king's disease was miraculously healed. Evil and sadness departed from him, and he fell prostrate in gratitude, saying: 

"O Lord, it is You Who grants kingship to whomsoever You wish and dethrones whomsoever You wish and elevates whomsoever You wish and degrades whomsoever You wish, Knower of the unseen and the evident. And lo! You are the First and the Last; the Manifest and the Perceived; You grant mercy and answer the prayers of the troubled ones." 

Following divine instruction conveyed through Isaiah, the king applied fig water to his wound and was completely cured.

The Miraculous Victory

The result of the attack was even more miraculous. Allah sent death upon the entire army of Sennacherib during the night. When morning came, all were corpses except for Sennacherib himself and five of his companions, among them the infamous Nebuchadnezzar, who would later play his own role in biblical and Islamic history. 

The king of Israel immediately sent for these survivors, put them in shackles, and displayed them throughout the land for seventy days to demonstrate the futility of opposing a people protected by Allah. 

During this period, each prisoner was fed only a loaf of barley bread daily. After seventy days, they were confined to prison, but then Allah revealed to Hazrat Isaiah that the king should send them back to their country so that they might warn their people about what had happened to them.

Sennacherib’s Death 

When the survivors returned home, Sennacherib gathered his people and told them about the catastrophic defeat. The priests and magicians responded that "We told you about their Lord and their prophets, but you did not listen to us. It is a nation which, with their God, nobody can overcome." Sennacherib was finally filled with fear of Allah and died seven years later. 

The Martyrdom of Isaiah Prophet

After the death of the righteous King Hezekiah, the conditions of the Israelites deteriorated rapidly. The people fell into wickedness, disobeying Allah and persecuting the prophets.

• The Persecution: The Prophet Isaiah continued to call the people to righteousness, but his uncompromising message earned him the enmity of the wicked leaders. They plotted to kill him.
• The Sawing: Fleeing his persecutors, Isaiah passed by a tree. The tree miraculously opened, and he entered it for safety. Satan saw him and grabbed the edge of his garment, which stuck out. 
• A Prophet's End: The persecutors then brought a saw and sawed the tree, and the prophet in two. He faced his martyrdom with patience and steadfastness, confirming his status as one of the great suffering prophets of Allah.

Who Was Isaiah in the Bible

Isaiah was a major Hebrew prophet who lived in the Kingdom of Judah during the 8th century BCE. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the Old Testament. 

• Time period: He was active between approximately 740 and 700 BC, during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. He served as a royal advisor, delivering divine messages of both warning and comfort to the people. 
• Message: Isaiah's message combined warnings of divine judgment for the people's idolatry and injustice with promises of hope, redemption, and the coming of a future king, the Messiah.

The Book of Isaiah

The Book of Isaiah is the first of the Major Prophets in the Old Testament and is the most quoted prophetic book in the New Testament.

• First Isaiah (chapters 1–39) primarily contains messages of judgment during the Assyrian crisis in the 8th century BCE.
• Second Isaiah (chapters 40–55) offers messages of consolation and hope during the Babylonian Exile in the 6th century BCE.
• Third Isaiah (chapters 56–66) Addresses issues facing the community after the return from exile.

Conclusion 

In Islam, the Prophet Isaiah (Yashaya) is revered as a holy man and prophet, though he is not mentioned by name in the Quran. He is known for his prophecies of the coming of both Hazrat ISA (Jesus) and Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).