Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 82)
Educational Lessons from the Story of Zakariya and Yahya (peace be upon them)
The story of Prophet Zakariya and Prophet Yahya (peace be upon them) is among the Qur’anic narratives that vividly illustrate the connection between supplication, hope, and complete trust in divine power. Through this story, the role of parents in seeking and raising righteous children is highlighted as one of the most fundamental human responsibilities. Therefore, examining the educational lessons of this story can provide valuable guidance for reforming both individuals and society and help prevent deviations in the Islamic system of Al-Tarbiya.
First Lesson: Love for Children is Natural, but a Believer Seeks Righteous Offspring from Allah
In Prophet Zakariya’s supplication to his Lord for a child who would inherit from him and the family of Ya ‘qub (peace be upon him), there is a clear indication that love for children is a natural and innate human inclination. Allah the Almighty says: «زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ذَلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا…» Translation: Beautified for people is the love of desires—of women, children, heaps of gold and silver, fine-branded horses, livestock, and cultivated land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life…
This verse shows that love for children is natural and innate, and Islam does not oppose human nature; rather, it guides and directs it.
Based on this principle, Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him)—despite his old age and his wife’s infertility—turned to Allah with hope and certainty and asked for a righteous child: «رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً» Translation: My Lord, grant me from Yourself a pure and righteous offspring.
In this supplication, the request is not merely for a “child,” but specifically for a “pure offspring,” reflecting a deep faith-based perspective on parenthood.
This approach was also the tradition of the prophets (peace be upon them) and the righteous. Allah says: «وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً» Translation: And We certainly sent messengers before you and made for them wives and offspring.
Allah also describes His righteous servants: «وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا» Translation: And those who say, “Our Lord, grant us from our spouses and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us leaders for the righteous.”
The phrase “comfort to the eyes” refers to children who bring true peace and joy to their parents—not merely a large number of offspring.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also encouraged marriage to loving and fertile women, saying: تَزَوَّجُوا الْوَدُودَ الْوَلُودَ فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ Translation: Marry loving and fertile women, for I will boast of your numbers before the nations.
He also supplicated for Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): اللهم أكثر ماله وولده وبارك له فيما أعطيته Translation: O Allah, increase his wealth and children, and bless what You have given him.
However, an important point in Islam is that the goal is not merely increasing the number of children but ensuring their righteousness and goodness. As Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) said: «وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا» Translation: And make him, my Lord, pleasing (to You).
Thus, the ultimate goal of having children is to raise righteous offspring—children who:
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bring joy and comfort to their parents,
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benefit them after death through their supplications,
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and contribute to the reform of society.
On the other hand, Prophet Zakariya’s supplication also reflected his concern for the future of religion: «وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِن وَرَائِي» Translation: And indeed, I fear those who will come after me.
That is, he feared that after his death, people might take leadership who would not preserve the religion properly or invite people to monotheism. Therefore, he asked Allah for a righteous child to continue the path of truth.
Conclusion
From these verses and narrations, we understand that:
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Love for children is natural and affirmed in Islam;
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This love must be guided by faith and righteousness;
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The goal of having children is not merely increasing numbers, but raising a righteous generation;
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The future of religion and society depends on righteous offspring;
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Parents are responsible for planning the upbringing of future generations based on Islamic principles.
to be continued…
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References:
[1]. Aal ‘Imran: 14.
[2]. Aal ‘Imran: 38.
[3]. Ar-Ra‘d: 38.
[4]. Al-Furqan: 74.
[5]. Reported by Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Nikah, Hadith no. 2050.
[6]. Reported by Al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Da‘awat, Hadith no. 6378.
[7]. Maryam: 6.
[8]. Maryam: 5.
[9]. Jad al-Mawla, Muhammad, Al-Qasas al-Qur’ani, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, n.d., p. 378.
