This portion of Al-Kitab takes its name from its author, Prophet Zephaniah. He was a prophet of God during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 B.C.). For historical background, read 2 Kings chapters 21 to 23, and the first few chapters of Armiya. Seven times in his short scripture, Prophet Zephaniah uses the phrase, “the day of YAHWEH.”1 The main theme of his writing is God’s judgment on the disobedience of all nations in the future Day Of YAHWEH, i.e. the day of qiyamat. Zephaniah teaches that YAHWEH is zealous to receive the worship he is due, but he is angry because of the idolatrous practices of his people. YAHWEH will show everyone that he is a just judge, and that he will be victorious over all the enemies of his people.
- YAHWEH is God’s Name revealed to Prophet Musa in the Taurat, Exodus 3:15 – God said moreover to Musa, “You shall tell Bani-Israel this, ‘YAHWEH, the God of your fathers, the God of Ibrahim, the God of Ishaq, and the God of Yaqub, has sent me to you.’ This is my Name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered to all generations.” ↩︎