إِلْيَاس
Ilyas (Elijah)
A call away from Ba'l and toward the best of creators, rejected by all but a few
Ilyas was sent to his own people with a direct challenge to a specific idol they worshipped instead of God. The Quran names him among the messengers, gives his exact words to his people, and records that nearly all of them rejected him — except a chosen few. As with several other prophets, his account closes with God leaving mention of him among later generations and a greeting of peace that carries his name forward.
Do you call upon Ba'l?
Ilyas was among the messengers. He said to his people: will you not fear God? Do you call upon Ba'l and leave the best of creators — God, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?
وَإِنَّ إِلْيَاسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,
إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِۦٓ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
When he said to his people, "Will you not fear Allah?
أَتَدْعُونَ بَعْلًۭا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْخَٰلِقِينَ
Do you call upon Ba'l and leave the best of creators -
ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ وَرَبَّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?"
Peace upon Elias
They denied him — all except the chosen servants of God, who would be spared what was coming to the rest. God left favorable mention of him among later generations: peace upon Ilyas. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good — indeed, he was of Our believing servants.
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ
And they denied him, so indeed, they will be brought [for punishment],
إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
Except the chosen servants of Allah.
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ
And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:
سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِلْ يَاسِينَ
"Peace upon Elias."
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.
إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.