The story of Prophet Zakariya

Zakariya (Zachariah) was a prophet mentioned in both the Quran and the Bible. According to Islamic tradition, he was a righteous and pious man who lived during the same time as Maryam (Mary), the mother of Jesus.

The story of Prophet Zakariya is mainly narrated in the Quran, in Surah Al-Imran (Chapter 3) and Surah Maryam (Chapter 19). Zakariya was married to a righteous woman named Hannah (also known as Elizabeth). However, despite their piety, they remained childless, and Zakariya was deeply saddened by this.

One day, while Zakariya was in the mihrab (a designated prayer area), he supplicated to Allah for a righteous child. His plea was not only for a child to bring joy to his life but also to continue the prophetic lineage. Allah responded to Zakariya’s prayer and sent an angel to give him the glad tidings of a son.

The angel appeared to Zakariya and said that Allah had granted him a son named Yahya (John), who would be a noble, chaste, and pure-hearted prophet. This news surprised Zakariya as both he and his wife were quite old, and it seemed impossible for them to have a child. Zakariya asked the angel how this could happen, given their old age. The angel reassured him that Allah could do anything and reminded Zakariya that even the creation of Adam was without a biological father or mother.

With faith restored, Zakariya submitted to the will of Allah and thanked Him for the blessing of a child. He prayed for a sign to affirm the truth of this miracle. Allah answered his prayer by making Zakariya temporarily lose his ability to speak. This silence served as a miraculous sign, indicating that Zakariya’s supplication had been accepted.

As the years passed, Zakariya took care of his son Yahya, teaching him about the importance of faith and worship. Yahya grew up to be a prophet and played a crucial role in preparing the people for the coming of Jesus (Isa), the final prophet in Abrahamic tradition.

The story of Prophet Zakariya highlights the power of prayer, faith, and the mercy of Allah. It teaches us that Allah is capable of granting blessings beyond human comprehension and that age and apparent obstacles are insignificant in the face of divine will. Zakariya’s patience, gratitude, and submission to Allah’s decree serve as an example for believers to trust in God’s plan and to be steadfast in their worship and devotion.