The story of Zakariya and Yahya, peace be upon them: The miracle of prayer and the dignity of good offspring
In the annals of the honorable prophets, the story of Zakariya and Yahya, peace be upon them, is a great sign of God’s answer to prayer, the dignity of righteous offspring, and the light of sincere worship. It is a story that instills hope in desperate hearts, and shows that God’s mercy and power are not limited by age or circumstances, and that persistence in praying sincerely opens the doors of the impossible.
Zechariah, peace be upon him: Old age and unbroken hope
Zechariah , peace be upon him, was a righteous prophet who was entrusted with the care of the House of Jerusalem and was the sponsor of Mary, peace be upon her. Zakariya was old and his wife was barren (childless). These human circumstances could have closed the door of hope for offspring, but Zechariah’s heart was full of faith and certainty that God’s power is above all causes and obstacles.
Zechariah observed God’s generosity to Mary, and how her sustenance came from God for no apparent reason. When he saw her having summer fruit in winter and winter fruit in summer, he realized that God is able to do all things, and that the one who gave Mary a child out of season is able to give him a son despite his old age and the infertility of his wife.
Evidence: The Qur’an mentions this situation that inspired Zechariah to pray in Surah Al-Imran:
كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا زَكَرِيَّا الْمِحْرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزْقًا ۖ قَالَ يَا مَرْيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَتْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ (37) هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ (38)
(Surah Al Imran: 37-38).
Zechariah then turned to his Lord in sincere prayer, begging him to give him a good offspring, not to succeed him in a king or money, but to continue carrying the message after him, to inherit the prophethood and call people to God.
Answering prayers: Yahya is a name and a prophecy
Zakariya’s prayer was not in vain. As he was praying in the sanctuary, the angels called to him, announcing the birth of a son named Yahya. The name itself was a miracle, as no one had been named before him, indicating the specialness of this child and the blessing of his birth.
Zechariah wondered how he could have a son when he was old and his wife was barren.
Evidence: The Almighty said in Surah Al-Imran:
فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي فِي الْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ (39) قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِيَ الْكِبَرُ وَامْرَأَتِي عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ اللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ (40)
(Surah Al Imran: 39-40).
Zechariah asked for a sign, and God told him that his sign would be not to speak to people for three days except by sign, even though he was free from any disease that would prevent him from speaking, to increase his certainty that the miracle would happen.
Yahya, peace be upon him: Blessed Prophet and Early Worship
Yahya, peace be upon him, was born in fulfillment of God’s promise. He was a special child from birth, and Allah gave him wisdom at a young age. Yahya grew up pious and righteous, was righteous to his parents, adhered to God’s religion, and was ascetic in the world. He was chosen by God to be a confirmation of the prophethood of Jesus, peace be upon him, and to prepare the way for his appearance.
Evidence: The Qur’an describes the virtues of Yahya (peace be upon him) in Surah Maryam:1
يَا يَحْيَىٰ خُذِ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا (12) وَحَنَانًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَاةً ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّا (13) وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّا (14) وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا (15)
(Surat Maryam: 12-15).
Yahya, peace be upon him, was an example of a pious worshipper who shunned the lusts of the world and devoted his life to worshipping God and calling people to goodness. He was a martyr in the way of Allah, killed by the tyrants because of his adherence to the truth and prohibition of evil.
Conclusion: Lessons in Prayer, Hope, and Piety
The story of Zakaria and Yahya, peace be upon them, is one that inspires hope and teaches great lessons:
- The miracle of prayer: God is omnipotent, and His power transcends apparent causes. Zachariah’s prayer teaches us to be persistent in asking, and to be certain of an answer no matter the circumstances.
- The value of good offspring: The story shows the importance of righteous offspring who complete the path of the fathers in goodness and da’wah, and that they are not just an adornment of life, but an extension of the da’wah.
- Piety and righteousness from a young age: Yahya’s upbringing in piety and righteousness from a young age shows the importance of a proper religious upbringing, and that worship and asceticism can be a characteristic of a person from the beginning of his life.
- The true source of sustenance: The story of Maryam, which inspired Zechariah, is a reminder that all sustenance comes from God, that He provides for whomever He wishes without reckoning, and that causes are not everything.
- Sticking to the truth at all costs: Yahya, peace be upon him, like other prophets, did not compromise on the truth and gave his life for its sake, and this is a great lesson in sacrifice for principles.
The stories of Zakariya and Yahya, peace be upon them, are testimonies to the fact that God’s power is limitless, that He does not disappoint those who call upon Him sincerely, and that the end of the patient and pious is the great reward and reward in this world and the hereafter.
What is the most important lesson that the story of Zakaria and Yahyahas left you with?
