37:123
So also was Elias among those sent (by Us).
Elijah—referred to as Elias in some traditions—is a prophetic figure whose story appears in the Old Testament, particularly in the First Book of Kings (chapters 17–19) and the Second Book of Kings (chapters 1–2). According to the biblical narrative, Elijah lived during the reigns of Ahab (c. 896–874 BCE) and Ahaziah (c. 874–872 BCE), rulers of the northern kingdom of Israel, also known as Samaria. Elijah is often portrayed as a prophet associated with the wilderness, similar in some respects to John the Baptist. In contrast, Muhammad is described in Islamic tradition as a leader who was actively involved in guiding the social and political affairs of his community.
Biblical accounts indicate that the reign of Ahab was marked by religious deviation, particularly the adoption of the worship of Baal, a deity associated with solar and fertility cults in parts of Syria and the surrounding regions. This shift in religious practice is often attributed to Ahab’s marriage to Jezebel, a princess from Sidon who promoted Baal worship and influenced the king to abandon devotion to God. Such practices were linked to broader forms of nature and fertility worship that, according to traditional commentary, were accompanied by various social and moral excesses.
Elijah is portrayed as a prophet who strongly condemned the religious and moral failings of Ahab and his successor Ahaziah. Because of his denunciations of their conduct and the prevailing religious practices, Elijah reportedly faced persecution and was forced to flee for his life. According to the biblical account, Elijah’s earthly life concluded in a dramatic event in which he was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind accompanied by a chariot of fire, leaving his prophetic mantle to his successor Elisha (2 Kings 2:11). This episode is frequently cited in religious commentary as a distinctive conclusion to Elijah’s prophetic mission.
References:
Yusuf Ali, Abdullah. Translation and Commentary of the Quran. (surah 37 verse 123).