Who was Prophet Zakariyya? His life and story

Full story

1. 1

   Guardian of Maryam

   Zakariyya (peace be upon him) had taken Maryam under his guardianship. Every time he entered her place of worship, he found remarkable provision there.

   He asked: "O Maryam, from where does this come to you?" Maryam said: "It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account" (Ali 'Imran, 37). This sight stirred a great hope in Zakariyya's heart concerning Allah's power.

2. 2

   His prayer for a child

   Zakariyya (peace be upon him) had grown old, his hair had turned white, and his wife was barren. Despite this, without losing hope, he called out to his Lord in private: "My Lord, do not leave me without an heir, while You are the best of inheritors" (Al-Anbya, 89).

   He asked for a righteous child who would carry on the faith after him and inherit from the line of Yaqub, and he never lost his trust in Allah (Maryam, 4-6).

3. 3

   The good news of Yahya

   Allah accepted his prayer, and the angels gave him the good news of his son Yahya (Ali 'Imran, 39; Maryam, 7). Zakariyya asked in astonishment how he could have a child while he and his wife were old and barren; he was told that this was easy for Allah.

   As a sign, he was given three days in which he could speak to people only by gesture (Ali 'Imran, 41). And so Yahya (peace be upon him) was born, and Allah's promise was fulfilled.

The story of Zakariyya (peace be upon him) is narrated in the Quran mainly in Surah Maryam and Surah Ali 'Imran. Allah presents him as a Prophet who prayed without falling into despair in his old age, and who witnessed Allah's provision without account. His story is closely tied to the stories of both Yahya and of Maryam and Isa.

• No situation gives grounds for despair before the power of Allah.
• A righteous child and an heir to carry on the faith are a great blessing.
• Praying in private and with sincerity is more beloved to Allah.
• Allah provides without account for whom He wills: means and causes depend on His will.

This page is based on Quran verses and authentic hadith sources.

• QuranSurah Ali 'Imran, 37

  This verse relates Zakariyya (peace be upon him) seeing Allah's provision beside Maryam.

• QuranSurah Maryam, 7

  This verse states Allah giving Zakariyya the good news of his son Yahya.

• QuranSurah Ali 'Imran, 39

  This verse relates the angels giving Zakariyya the good news of Yahya.

• QuranSurah Al-Anbya, 89

  This verse relates Zakariyya's (peace be upon him) prayer, "My Lord, do not leave me alone."

• HadithSahih Muslim, 2379

  This hadith relates our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying, "Zakariyya (peace be upon him) was a carpenter."

• Classical sourceTDV İslam Ansiklopedisi, "Zekeriyyâ"

  Referenced for academic information about the life and family of Prophet Zakariyya.

Other Prophets connected with this story.

• Prophet Yahya

  A Prophet given wisdom in childhood, pious and devoted to his parents

• Prophet Isa

  Son of Maryam, Allah's Prophet and servant sent with miracles

Common questions about this Prophet.

• Who was Prophet Zakariyya?

  Zakariyya (peace be upon him) is one of the Prophets sent to the Children of Israil, the guardian of Maryam and the father of Prophet Yahya. His story is narrated in Surah Maryam and Surah Ali 'Imran.

• What did Prophet Zakariyya pray for?

  In his old age, while his wife was barren, he asked Allah for a righteous child who would carry on the faith after him (Maryam, 4-6).

• How is Prophet Zakariyya connected to Maryam?

  He was Maryam's guardian and had seen the extraordinary provision Allah gave her in her place of worship (Ali 'Imran, 37).

• Who is Prophet Zakariyya's son?

  Allah accepted his prayer and gave him the good news of a righteous son named Yahya (peace be upon him) (Ali 'Imran, 39; Maryam, 7).

• What work did Prophet Zakariyya do?

  According to what our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reported, Zakariyya (peace be upon him) was a carpenter and earned his living by the work of his hands (Sahih Muslim).