Prophet Zakariyya (AS) - The Father in Old Age
Learn about Prophet Zakariyya (AS) who prayed for a child in old age and was given Yahya.
Prophet Zakariyya (peace be upon him) was a prophet of Allah and the guardian of Maryam (Mary), the mother of Prophet Isa (AS). Zakariyya and his wife were elderly and had no children. Whenever Zakariyya entered Maryam's chamber to check on her, he found special food — out of season fruit. When he asked where it came from, Maryam said: 'It is from Allah.' Seeing Allah's provision for Maryam, Zakariyya was inspired to make a du'a for a child. Despite his old age, he turned to Allah with hope: 'My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white hair, and I have never been disappointed in my prayer to You.' He asked for a righteous son to continue the prophetic legacy. Allah immediately responded, giving him the glad tidings of Yahya (AS) — a son who would be pure, a prophet, and kind to his parents. This miracle teaches us that Allah answers sincere du'a, regardless of how impossible the situation seems.
Qur'an Verses
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ
Hunalika da'a Zakariyya rabbahu
Translation: There, Zakariyya called upon his Lord.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي
Qala rabbi inni wahana al-'azmu minni
Translation: He said: 'My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened.'
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Allah says: I am as My servant thinks of Me. If he thinks good, he gets good. If he thinks bad, he gets bad.'
Explanation
Zakariyya (AS) had complete hope in Allah despite his old age. He thought the best of Allah, and Allah answered his prayer with a son, Yahya (AS).
Allah answers sincere du'a, no matter how impossible things seem. Zakariyya's prayer for a child in old age shows the power of turning to Allah with complete hope.
- 1.What did Zakariyya pray for?
- 2.Who was Zakariyya the guardian of?
- 3.What did Allah give Zakariyya?
1. What did Zakariyya say about his condition?
2. Did Zakariyya lose hope?
3. Had Zakariyya ever been disappointed by Allah?
4. Was Zakariyya patient?
5. What lesson do we learn from Zakariyya?
6. Was Zakariyya a prophet?
7. How old was Zakariyya when he prayed?
8. How quickly did Allah answer Zakariyya?
9. In which other Surah is Zakariyya mentioned?
10. What qualities did Yahya have?
11. Should we make du'a even when things seem impossible?
12. What do we learn from Zakariyya?
13. Did Allah give Zakariyya a name for his son?
14. Was the name Yahya given by Allah?
15. Which Surah mentions Zakariyya's prayer?
16. Who did Allah give Zakariyya?
17. What did Zakariyya pray for?
18. Was Yahya's birth a miracle?
19. What did Zakariyya find in Maryam's chamber?
20. Was Zakariyya grateful?
21. What does 'Du'a' mean?
22. What was Yahya's character?
23. Who was Prophet Zakariyya the guardian of?
24. Was Yahya a prophet?
25. When Maryam was asked about the food, what did she say?
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