Prophet Zakariya asked Allah for a child, whom he needed because he was old and his bones were weak. Also, he feared that there would be less interest in Islam when he died because his uncles, cousins, and family in general, were careless in the matters of the religion and spread misguidance among the Israelites; thus, he was afraid that they would mismanage matters after him. He supplicated to Allah saying:
رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاء
Which means: “Oh Allah grant me a pious offspring for you are the One who hears the supplication.” Allah answered his supplication and granted him a son, despite his old age, just as Prophet Ibrahim had a son late in his life.
Prophet Zakariya was charge of slaughtering the animals that were slaughtered for the sake of Allah. He was also in charge of opening the door to the slaughterhouse so that no one entered till he granted permission. Whilst he was praying in the mosque’s mihrab, Angel Jibril came to him, wearing white, accompanied by angels, and bearing the good tidings. They surrounded Prophet Zakariya and said:
“يا زكريا انا نبشرك بغلام اسمه يحيى”
Which means: “Oh Zakariya, we give you the good news of a son called Yahya.”
And he was given this name because he was born from an old man and an old woman. No one had been named Yahya before.
Allah ta^ala said:
لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا
When Prophet Zakariya received this news he asked, out of curiosity, and not denying or considering it impossible, how he would be able to have a child. He said. “Oh Allah, how will I have a son when I am very old and my wife can no longer have children? Will I have a son while I am 120 years old and my wife is barren and she is 98 years old? Will my wife and I be returned to our youth and have a child? Or will I marry another wife and from her have this child?” He was answered that he would have a child in the state he was in, with his wife Isha^, Lady Mariam’s sister, for Allah does whatever he wills nothing prevents him from that.
Prophet Zakariya asked Allah that there be a sign when the pregnancy took place so that he would be reassured and so that his happiness would be immediate. Allah informed him that his indication would be that he would not be able to address people with world speech for 3 days, not because of a problem or muteness, rather his tongue would only mention the name of Allah and thank Him for granting this great endowment.
When Isha^ became pregnant, Zakariya emerged from his mihrab that morning and communicated with the people only by signs, using no words. By this, the people knew that the great event that had been foretold had occurred.
This was a miracle for Prophet Zakariya because he was able to mention the name of Allah and make dhiker easily and comfortably without talking to people about worldly matters for an entire 3 days. It was also miraculous because he knew that when his tongue was prevented from talking of worldly matters his wife would be pregnant.
When it was time to give birth, Isha^ had the pure and blessed Prophet Yahya. The angles came and took him to the skies where he was nourished from the rivers of Paradise. Then HE was returned to his father, Prophet Zakariya, and the house was illuminated from his brightness and beauty, peace be upon him. When Yahya turned seven, his father taught him the Torah and sent him to Jerusalem, as a muhuarar, i.e., he was devoted to worshiping Allah and servicing the mosque.
Even as a child, Prophet Yahya used to fast and pray. He supplicated to Allah with strength, energy and seriousness. The young children would call him to play and he would say, “ Our purpose in life is not to play, it is not for this that we were created.”
He used to eat common greens that were not owned by anyone. His clothes were from rough wool and he was very beautiful, yet he endeavoured in worship and obedience to Allah. From a young age, he used to warn the people; in the midst of their events and gatherings, he would address them, calling them to Islam and teaching them the rules of religion.
