Stories
An old man's prayer, and John the Baptist
Seeing God provide for the girl in his care, he asked for a son.
3 min, Intro, Draft written with AI help: awaiting scholar review
Part 1 of 3
Lots were drawn, and Zakariyya became guardian of the young Maryam, who devoted herself to worship. Whenever he entered her prayer room he found her provided with food. "From God," she said.
Qur'an 3:37
فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنࣲ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنࣱا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّاۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيۡهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلۡمِحۡرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزۡقࣱاۖ قَالَ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَاۖ قَالَتۡ هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرۡزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ ٣٧
37 Her Lord graciously accepted her and caused her to grow in a good manner, and entrusted her to the care of Zachariah. Every time Zachariah entered her prayer chamber, he found with her some provision. He said, “O Mary, where did this come from?” She said, “It is from Allah, for Allah provides for whom He wills without measure.”
A long ayah: scroll within the card.
Lesson
Seeing God's gifts to Maryam, Zakariyya asked for a child of his own.
Part 2 of 3
Zakariyya's prayer opens surah Maryam. He said it in secret: my bones have weakened, my hair is white, but I have never been disappointed in praying to You. He was given a son, named Yahya.
Qur'an 19:3-4
إِذۡ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيࣱّا ٣ قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ ٱلۡعَظۡمُ مِنِّي وَٱشۡتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأۡسُ شَيۡبࣱا وَلَمۡ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيࣱّا ٤
3 When he called upon his Lord in private.
4 He said, “My Lord, my bones have grown feeble, and gray hair has spread across my head, yet never have I been disappointed in my prayer to You, my Lord.
Lesson
Zakariyya had never been disappointed in prayer. In old age, he was promised a son.
Part 3 of 3
Zakariyya's son Yahya was given wisdom as a child. He was gentle, pure and devoted to his parents, and confirmed the coming of 'Isa (Jesus). Christians know him as John the Baptist. Muslims honour him as a prophet.
Qur'an 19:12-13
يَٰيَحۡيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِقُوَّةࣲۖ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ ٱلۡحُكۡمَ صَبِيࣱّا ١٢ وَحَنَانࣱا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةࣱۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيࣱّا ١٣
12 [Allah said], “O John, hold the Scripture with all your strength.” And We gave him wisdom when he was still a child,
13 as We made him compassionate and righteous, and he was fearing Allah,
The passage continues in Read.
Lesson
The Qur'an greets Yahya with peace on the day he was born and the day he is raised.
Reflect, just for you
Seen by lamplight. It gives more each time.
Seeing God provide for the girl in his care, he asked for a son.