almuhtada.org – Prophet Hizqil AS may also be one of the prophets who is rarely known to Muslims. Prophet Hizqil AS lived around 591 BC, which is estimated to be after the time of Prophet Musa AS and before Prophet Daud AS.
The name of Prophet Hizqil AS itself is not explained much in the Qur’an. His story is explained in Surah Al-Baqarah: 243.
The verse describes the story of Prophet Hizqil who revived thousands of dead Israelites who had died from a disease.
“Have you not noticed the people who left their homes in thousands out of fear of death? Then Allah said to them, ‘Die!’ Then Allah brought them back to life. Indeed, Allah is the Giver of blessings to humanity, but most people are ungrateful.” (QS Al-Baqarah: 243).
Then, in a hadith narrated by Ahmad, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “That disease was once sent as a punishment to the people before you. If you hear news of that disease in a certain area, do not enter that area. And if that disease spreads in the area where you are, do not leave it in order to escape from it.”
Then, Ibn Kathir in a book titled “Qishashul Anbiya” quotes a story from Muhammad bin Ishaq, who narrated from Wahb bin Munabbih that after Kalib bin Yufana died (after Yusa’), the Israelites were led by Hizqil bin Budziy.
Asbath explained from Al-Saidi from Abu Malik from Abu Shalih from Ibn Abbas from Murrah from Ibn Mas’ud from some companions regarding the words of Allah in Surah Al-Baqarah: 243.
They said that the hometown was called Mawardan, which was struck by the disease ‘tha’un.’ This was a deadly disease, where one would fall ill in the morning and die by evening, or fall ill in the evening and die by morning.
Because of fear and to avoid the disease, all the inhabitants then left the village and moved to the surrounding areas. Those who remained in that place gradually died, but some survived.
Waki’ Ibnul Jarrah in his tafsir explained that those people said, “We will go to a place where there is no death.”
Ibnus Katsir narrates the story related by Ibn Abbas that their number was 4,000 people, and it is also narrated from him that their number was 8,000 people. Meanwhile, Abu Saleh states that their number was 9,000 people.
Additionally, according to the narration of Ibn Abbas, it is explained that their number was 40,000 people.
After the Tha’un disease disappeared, they returned safely to their village. The following year, the Tha’un disease struck again. There was panic. Thousands of people ran away again and hid in the Afif valley.
After that, they were called by angels from below the valley and from above the valley, “Die, all of you.” They were then approached by a prophet named Prophet Hizqil as. Upon seeing them, Prophet Hizqil AS stopped, then thought about them, and then moved his lips and fingers.
Allah SWT then revealed to Prophet Hizqil, “Do you wish for Me to show you how I bring them back to life?” The Prophet replied, “Yes.” Then Allah commanded Prophet Hizqil, “Call out.”
So the Prophet called out, “O bones, indeed Allah commands you to come together.”
After that, a miracle occurred. The scattered bones began to move and come together to form a skeletal body.
Allah SWT once again revealed to Prophet Hizqil to call out. “O all bones, indeed Allah commands you to be clothed with flesh.” Another miracle occurred. The bones were then covered with flesh, complete with clothing.
Prophet Hizqil called out again, “O spirits, verily Allah commands you to return to the bodies you once inhabited!” From the bones, they transformed into complete bodies and then revived.
After they came back to life, they said, “Glory be to You, O Allah, all praise is due to You, there is no god but Allah.” Those who had previously died and were now alive returned to their people. [Fahdina Dean]
