Author: Abdul Hai Lay'yan
The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 77)
Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) and His Family
Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) was one of the prophets of the Children of Israel (Banu Israel). He devoted his life to calling people to the worship of Allah, the Exalted. His wife was the sister of Maryam (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Imran and the mother of Prophet Isa (peace be upon him). Zakariya (peace be upon him) earned his livelihood through his own labor and worked as a carpenter.
It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: وَكَانَ زَكَرِيَّا نَجَّارًا [1]. Translation: Zakariya was a carpenter and used to earn from his own labor.
Zakariya’s Supplication for a Child
Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) longed for a child whom Allah, the Exalted, would grant him so that the mission of calling to Allah might continue after his death. He feared that his people would fall into misguidance, as signs of deviation had already begun to appear among them.
His relatives had become negligent in religious matters and no longer upheld them properly. Thus, he feared that after his passing, the religion would be neglected. [2] When he witnessed the divine favor bestowed upon Maryam (may Allah be pleased with her)—a righteous woman and the sister of his wife—he turned to his Lord in supplication.
Zakariya (peace be upon him) was the guardian of Maryam (may Allah be pleased with her) and would visit her frequently. Whenever he entered her place of worship (mihrab), he found provision with her—food, drink, and fruits that appeared out of their usual season. He asked her, “O Maryam, from where has this come to you?” She replied, “It is from Allah; indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without measure.”
Witnessing these clear signs of Allah’s power and His grace upon Maryam inspired Zakariya (peace be upon him) to turn sincerely to Allah and ask for that which had occupied his thoughts for many years.
He made his supplication privately, keeping it between himself and his Lord. He was certain that Allah knew what was hidden in his heart. He also wished to avoid criticism from people for asking for a child in old age. Moreover, Allah loves sincere and private supplications.
With humility and hope, he presented his condition before Allah—though Allah was already fully aware of it—and expressed his request.
Allah (SWT) says: «كهيعص * ذِكرُ رَحمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبدَهُ زَكَرِيّا * إِذ نادى رَبَّهُ نِداءً خَفِيًّا * قالَ رَبِّ إِنّي وَهَنَ العَظمُ مِنّي وَاشتَعَلَ الرَّأسُ شَيبًا وَلَم أَكُن بِدُعائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا * وَإِنّي خِفتُ المَوالِيَ مِن وَرائي وَكانَتِ امرَأَتي عاقِرًا فَهَب لي مِن لَدُنكَ وَلِيًّا * يَرِثُني وَيَرِثُ مِن آلِ يَعقوبَ وَاجعَلهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا» [3] Translation: Kaf, Ha, Ya, ‘Ayn, Sad. This is a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zakariya, when he called upon his Lord in secret, saying, “My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with gray, yet I have never been disappointed in my supplication to You. I fear my relatives after me, and my wife is barren, so grant me from Yourself an heir—one who will inherit from me and from the family of Ya‘qub, and make him, my Lord, pleasing.”
Allah (SWT) says, «كُلَّما دَخَلَ عَلَيها زَكَرِيَّا المِحرابَ وَجَدَ عِندَها رِزقًا قالَ يا مَريَمُ أَنّى لَكِ هذا قالَت هُوَ مِن عِندِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرزُقُ مَن يَشاءُ بِغَيرِ حِسابٍ * هُنالِكَ دَعا زَكَرِيّا رَبَّهُ قالَ رَبِّ هَب لي مِن لَدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَميعُ الدُّعاءِ» [4]. Translation: Whenever Zakariya entered upon her in the mihrab, he found provision with her. He said, “O Maryam, from where has this come to you?” She said, “It is from Allah; indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without measure.” Thereupon Zakariya called upon his Lord, saying: “My Lord, grant me from Yourself a pure offspring; indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.”
Allah (SWT) says: «وَزَكَرِيّا إِذ نادى رَبَّهُ رَبِّ لا تَذَرني فَردًا وَأَنتَ خَيرُ الوارِثينَ» Translation: And Zakariya, when he called upon his Lord, said, “My Lord, do not leave me alone, while You are the best of inheritors.” [5]
These noble verses vividly portray the intimate supplication of Zakariya (peace be upon him) to his Lord. In seclusion, away from the sight and hearing of others, he turned to Allah with complete sincerity and expressed what weighed heavily upon his heart.
He addressed his Lord with closeness, saying “My Lord,” without even using a formal call, although Allah hears and sees all things without being called. A distressed person finds comfort in supplication and needs to express his concerns. Allah, the Most Merciful, knows this human nature and loves that His servants call upon Him and confide in Him. [6]
As Allah says: «وَقالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادعوني أَستَجِب لَكُم.» Translation: And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” [7]
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtues, Hadith 6112.
[2]. Al-Tha‘alibi, Jawahir al-Qur’an fi Tafsir al-Qur’an, Vol. 3, p. 3.
[3]. Qur’an, Surah Maryam (19): 1–6.
[4]. Qur’an, Surah Aal ‘Imran (3): 37–38.
[5]. Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbiya (21): 89.
[6]. Sayyid Qutb, Fi Zilal al-Qur’an, Vol. 4, p. 2302.
[7]. Qur’an, Surah Ghafir (40): 60.
