THE STORY OF THE PROPHET ELIAS

Prophet Elias was the fourth descendant of the Prophet Aaron. His genealogy is Ilyas (Elias) ibn Yasin ibn Fanhash ibn Al-‘Izar ibn Harun (Aaron) ibn Imran. Prophet Elias was sent by Allah SWT to preach to his people who worshiped idols named Ba'al. They are residents of the city of Ba'labak, one of the nationalities of Phunicia / Phenicia (now one of the cities in Lebanon, west of the city of Damascus). Elias warned his people to abandon worship of idols and invite them to only worship Allah SWT.

Surah Ash-Shaffaat verses 123-132:

وَإِنَّ إِلۡيَاسَ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ  ١٢٣ إِذۡ قَالَ لِقَوۡمِهِۦٓ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ  ١٢٤ أَتَدۡعُونَ بَعۡلٗا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحۡسَنَ ٱلۡخَٰلِقِينَ  ١٢٥ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمۡ وَرَبَّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ  ١٢٦ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَإِنَّهُمۡ لَمُحۡضَرُونَ  ١٢٧ إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ  ١٢٨ وَتَرَكۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرِينَ  ١٢٩ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِلۡ يَاسِينَ إِنَّا  ١٣٠ كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ  ١٣١ إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ  ١٣٢

123.  And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,

124.  When he said to his people, "Will you not fear Allah?

125.  Do you call upon Ba'l and leave the best of creators -

126.  Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?"

127.  And they denied him, so indeed, they will be brought [for punishment],

128.  Except the chosen servants of Allah.

129.  And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

130.  "Peace upon Elias."

131.  Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

132.  Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

The Prophet Elias said to his people, "O my people, fear you of your Lord, that is Allah who created you and He is the God of your ancestors first."

Elias invited his people to leave paganism tirelessly and not despair. But the disobedient people still defied him and instead mocked him. They actually intend to harm the Prophet Elias, even threatening to kill him so that he does not preach again. But Allah SWT did not let the sincere and pious Prophet Elias be persecuted by unbelievers. Then, Allah SWT brought punishment to the lawlessness in the form of a long dry season for several years. There is almost no water in their place so they have difficulty obtaining water. Many plants die, crop failures, livestock die from hunger and thirst, and other effects. Without water, the life of the disobedient becomes chaotic. They really suffer.

They can't stand it anymore. They want to get out of misery. Then they remembered the Prophet Elias. They were convinced that the Prophet Elias could stop this disaster. Then they met the Prophet Elias and begged him to pray to Allah SWT to bring rain. They promised to repent and follow the teachings of the Prophet Elias.

After the Prophet Elias prayed, there was heavy rain in their country. Farmland returns to fertile as before. Their lives become peaceful and their needs are fulfilled. They have been able to do their usual activities. But they denied their promise. They still do not want to follow the teachings of the Prophet Elias and still worship idols and do evil.

They did not want to believe in Allah SWT. So Allah SWT brings punishment to them. Their land were shaken by a great earthquake so that the infidels died. Their houses were completely destroyed. The infidels will be put into hell.

Whereas the Prophet Elias and his believing followers were saved by Allah SWT.

Surah Al-An'am verse 85:

وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحۡيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلۡيَاسَۖ كُلّٞ مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ  ٨٥

85.  And Zechariah and John and Jesus and Elias - and all were of the righteous.

Reference:

·        Katsir, Ibnu and Hudzaifah, Lc., Abu (Translator). 2007. Kisah Para Nabi dan Rasul. Jakarta: Pustaka as-Sunnah.

·        AR., MB. Rahimsyah. Sejarah Islam Kisah 25 Nabi dan Rasul. Surabaya: CV Pustaka Agung Harapan.