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Description of
Zakariyah
The years had taken their toll on the Prophet Zechariah (Zakariyah).
He was now old and bent with age,
in his nineties. Despite his feebleness, he went to the
temple daily to deliver his sermons.
Zechariah was not a rich man, but he was always ready to
help those in need. His one disappointment in
life was that he had no children, for his wife was barren.
This worried him, for he feared there was no
one after him to carry out his work. The people needed a
strong leader, for if they were left on their
own, they would move away from Allah's teachings and change
the Holy Laws to suit themselves.
Zakariyah Talks to Mary
During one of his visits to the temple, he went to check on
Mary, who was living in a secluded room of
the temple. He was surprised to find fresh out-of-season
fruit in her room. Besides him, no one had entry
to her room. When he inquired, she told him that the fruit
was from Allah. She found it every morning.
But why was he so surprised, she asked him. Did he not know
that Allah provides without measure for
whom He wills?
This noble girl had opened his eyes to a startling idea.
Could he not ask his Lord to bless him with a child
in his old age? Even if his wife was past child-bearing age,
nothing was impossible for his Gracious Lord!
Zakariyah Asks for a Son - Quranic
Allah the Almighty revealed:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 19
Maryam, Verse 1-15 |
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In
the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful |
Kaf. Ha. Ya. `Ain.
Sad.
(This is) a recital of the Mercy of thy Lord to His
Servant Zakariya.
Behold! he cried to his Lord in secret
Praying: "O my Lord! infirm indeed are my bones and the
hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I unblest
O my Lord in my prayer to Thee!
"Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do)
after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself
"(One that) will (truly) represent me and represent the
posterity of Jacob; and make him O my Lord! one with whom Thou art
well-pleased!"
(His prayer was answered): "O Zakariya! We give thee good
news of a son: his name shall be Yahya: on none by that name
have We conferred distinction before."
He said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when my wife
is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?"
He said: "So (it will be): thy Lord saith `That is easy
for Me: I did indeed create thee before when thou hadst been
nothing!' "
(Zakariya) said "O my Lord! give me a Sign." "Thy Sign"
was the answer "shall be that thou shalt speak to no
man for three nights although thou art not dumb."
So Zakariya came out to his people from his chamber: he
told them by signs to celebrate Allah's praises in the
morning and in the evening.
(To his son came the command): "O Yahya! take hold of the Book
with might": and We gave him wisdom even as a youth.
And pity (for all creatures) as from Us and purity: he was
devout
And kind to his parents and he was not overbearing or
rebellious.
So Peace on him the day he was born the day that he dies and
the day that he will be raised up to life (again)! |
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Almighty Allah also said:
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Al-Quran, Chapter 3
Al'i-Imran, Verse 38-41 |
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In
the Name of Allah, The Benevolent, The Merciful |
There did Zakariya pray to his Lord saying: "O my Lord!
grant unto me from Thee a progeny that is pure; for Thou art
He that heareth prayer!"
While he was standing in prayer in the chamber the angels
called unto him: "Allah doth give thee glad tidings of Yahya
witnessing the truth of a Word from Allah and (be besides) noble
chaste and a Prophet of the (goodly) company of the righteous."
He said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son seeing I am
very old and my wife is barren?" "Thus" was the answer "doth
Allah accomplish what He willeth."
He said: "O my Lord! give me a sign!" "Thy Sign" was the
answer "shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three
days but with signals. Then celebrate the praises of thy
Lord again and again and glorify Him in the evening and in
the morning." |
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