Jordan River, Jordan
Coordinates: 31.838308, 35.550171
The hill to the east of the River Jordan opposite Jericho in al-Maghtas is believed to be the site from which Hz. Ilyas عليه اسلام was taken up to heaven on a chariot of fire (acc. to christian sources)
It is known in Arabic as Tell Mar Elias (Elijah’s Hill).
Nearby this hill there is the site of Bethany beyond the Jordan. Here it is said that Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام (John the Baptist) baptised Hz. Isa عليه اسلام in the River Jordan.
Coming of Hz. Ilyas عليه اسلام in the End times
Elijah’s narrative in the Qur’an and later Muslim tradition resembles closely that in the Hebrew Bible and Muslim literature records Elijah’s primary prophesying as taking place during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel as well as Ahaziah.
He is seen by Muslims to be the prophetic predecessor to Hz. Al-Yasaa عليه اسلام (Elisha).
Hz. Ilyas عليه اسلام is rarely associated with Islamic eschatology and Islam views Hz. Isa عليه اسلام as the Messiah.
However, Hz. Ilyas عليه اسلام is expected to come back along with Hz. Khizr عليه اسلام during the Last Judgment.
The Bible also states that Hz. Ilyas عليه اسلام would return before the coming of Hz. Isa عليه اسلام.
House of Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام
On the western side of Elijah’s Hill, there is a cave where (acc. to christian traditions) Hz. Yahya عليه اسلام lived, and where Hz. Isa عليه اسلام was known to visit him.
This is considered a very Holy site and therefore a church was built around the cave at the time the monastery was built in the 5th century.
Note: Some of the information in this article comes from Christians sources.
