Alyasa (Elisha) in Islam

Alyasa, peace be upon him, is one of the prophets of Allah mentioned in the Noble Quran. Classical scholars identify him as the prophet known in the Biblical tradition as Elisha, the successor and student of Ilyas (Elijah). Though the Quran does not narrate his story in detail, it places him among the most honored of Allah's messengers, affirming his righteousness and elevated status among creation.

Quranic Mentions

Alyasa is mentioned by name twice in the Quran, both times in the company of other great prophets.

In Surah Al-An'am, Allah says: "And Zakariyya and Yahya and Isa and Ilyas — all were of the righteous. And Ismail and Alyasa and Yunus and Lut — and all We preferred above the worlds." (6:85-86)

The phrase "preferred above the worlds" (faddalna 'ala al-'alamin) carries tremendous weight. Ibn Kathir noted in his tafsir that this indicates Allah chose and elevated these prophets above all other people of their respective times. To be listed alongside Ismail, Yunus, and Lut in a single ayah of divine praise places Alyasa firmly among the elite of prophetic history.

In Surah Sad, Allah says: "And remember Our servants Ismail and Alyasa and Dhul-Kifl — and all are among the outstanding." (38:48)

The word used here is "akhyar," meaning the finest, the best, the most excellent. Al-Tabari explained that this designation confirms these prophets were selected by Allah from among all of humanity for their purity, obedience, and devotion to His worship.

His Identity and Lineage

The majority of classical Muslim scholars, including Ibn Kathir, al-Tabari, and al-Tha'labi, identified Alyasa with the Biblical Elisha son of Shaphat. In the Israelite prophetic tradition, Elisha was the chosen successor of Ilyas (Elijah), who had been sent to the people of Israel to call them away from the worship of Ba'l and back to the worship of Allah alone.

Ibn Kathir stated in al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya that after Ilyas completed his mission and was taken by Allah, Alyasa continued the prophetic work among the Children of Israel. He carried forward the same message that every prophet before him had delivered: pure monotheism, obedience to Allah's commandments, and rejection of idolatry.

Some scholars noted a difference of opinion regarding his exact genealogy. Al-Tabari recorded that some early authorities gave his father's name as Akhtub, while others identified him through a different line. These differences in genealogical detail do not affect his established status as a true prophet of Allah, confirmed by the Quran itself.

His Mission

While the Quran does not provide a detailed narrative of Alyasa's life and mission, the context of his mention alongside other prophets to the Children of Israel tells us much. He belonged to the long chain of prophets sent to Banu Isra'il after Musa, each renewing the call to tawhid and warning against the corruption that had crept into their worship.

Al-Tha'labi recorded in his Qisas al-Anbiya that Alyasa succeeded Ilyas as the prophet to the people of Israel and that he was granted miracles by Allah. The Israelite sources describe him performing numerous signs, including healing the sick, purifying poisoned water, and multiplying food. While Islamic tradition does not independently confirm each of these specific accounts, the principle that Allah grants His prophets miracles as evidence of their truthfulness is well established in the Quran and Sunnah.

Ibn Kathir mentioned that Alyasa called his people to hold fast to the Shariah of Musa, as the Torah was the governing scripture for the prophets of Banu Isra'il until the coming of Isa ibn Maryam.

Lessons from the Mention of Alyasa

The Quranic approach to Alyasa carries important lessons for the believer. Allah chose to mention him not with a lengthy narrative but with a powerful attestation of his rank. This teaches that a prophet's worth is not measured by how many stories are told about him, but by Allah's own testimony regarding his status.

The fact that Alyasa is grouped with prophets like Ismail, Yunus, Lut, and Dhul-Kifl reminds us of the unity of the prophetic mission. Every messenger, whether his story fills pages of the Quran or is conveyed in a single mention, carried the same fundamental truth: La ilaha illa Allah — there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.

His Place in Prophetic History

Alyasa occupies an important link in the chain of guidance that Allah sent to the Children of Israel. From Musa to Harun, from Dawud to Sulayman, from Ilyas to Alyasa, and onward to Zakariyya, Yahya, and finally Isa — each prophet reinforced the covenant between Allah and Banu Isra'il. Alyasa's role in maintaining this chain, continuing the work of his predecessor Ilyas, and guiding his people through a period of spiritual decline is honored by Allah's own words in the Quran.

We ask Allah to send His peace and blessings upon Alyasa and upon all the prophets and messengers He sent to guide humanity to the straight path.