John's ^(pbuh) Childhood

John ^(pbuh) was born a stranger to the world of children who used to amuse themselves, he remained 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 ^(pbuh) was the son of Prophet Zechariah ^(pbuh).

	Al-Quran, Chapter 21 Al-Anbiyaa, Verse 89-90
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful And (remember) Zakariya when he cried to his Lord: "O my Lord! leave me not without offspring though Thou art the best of inheritors. So We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's (barrenness) for him. These three were ever quick in emulation in good works: they used to call on Us with love and reverence and humble themselves before Us

Also in:

	Al-Quran, Chapter 3 Al'i-Imran, Verse 38-39
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful There did Zakariya pray to his Lord saying: "O my Lord! grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure; for Thou art He that heareth prayer!" While he was standing in prayer in the chamber the angels called unto him: "Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah and (be besides) noble chaste and a Prophet of the (goodly) company of the righteous."

John ^(pbuh) loved reading since childhood. When he grew up, Allah the Exalted called upon him:

	Al-Quran, Chapter 19 Maryam, Verse 12-15
	In the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful (To his son came the command): "O Yahya! take hold of the Book with might": and We gave him Wisdom even as a youth, And pity (for all creatures) as from Us and purity: he was devout And kind to his parents and he was not overbearing or rebellious. So Peace on him the day he was born the day that he dies and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!

John's ^(pbuh) 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 ^(pbuh) 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 ^(pbuh). 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 ^(pbuh) Ibn Zechariah ^(pbuh), 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 ^(pbuh) Ibn Zechariah ^(pbuh), who joined the beasts at dinner, fearing to mix with men."

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Why John^(pbuh) Always Wept

Ibn Mubarak stated that Wahb Ibn Al-Ward narrated that Zechariah ^(pbuh) 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 ^(pbuh) wept so much that tears marked his cheeks.

John's ^(pbuh) 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 ^(pbuh) as the prophet who cared for all the creatures, so they would leave the cave, bowing their heads.

John ^(pbuh) 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 ^(pbuh) called people to worship Allah, he made them cry out of love and submission, arresting their hearts with the truthfulness of his words.

Salome and King Herod Antipas's Incestuous Marriage

A conflict took place between John ^(pbuh) and the authorities at that time. A tyrant king, Herod Antipas, the ruler of Palestine, was in love with Salome, his brother's daughter (Ibn Kathir wrote here "Herodias," who was Herod's brother's wife, according to Matthew 14. Their daughter is known by tradition as Salome.
According to Matthew 14,New Revised Standard version, Herod wanted to marry his brother's, wife, but I believe Ibn Kathir's version makes more sense - Editor). 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 ^(pbuh) 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 ^(pbuh) Cruel Death

John's ^(pbuh) 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. Herod embraced 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 ^(pbuh) was executed and his head was brought to Salome. The cruel woman gloated with delight. But the death of Allah's beloved prophet ^(pbuh) 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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