فَنَادَتْهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآئِمٌ يُصَلِّى فِى ٱلْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًۢا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ 39
Translations
So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, "Indeed, Allāh gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allāh and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous."
Transliteration
Fanādat-hu al-malā'ikatu wa huwa qā'imun yusallī fī al-mihrāb anna Allāha yubashshiruka bi-Yahyā muṣaddiqan bi-kalimatim min Allāh wa sayyidan wa ḥasūran wa nabiyyan min as-sāliḥīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when the angels called out to Zachariah while he was standing in prayer in the mihrab (prayer niche), announcing the glad tidings of the birth of John (Yahya). Yahya is characterized with five noble qualities: he will be a believer in Jesus ('Isa) and his message, a leader, chaste/celibate (hasur), and a righteous prophet. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this miraculous announcement occurred during Zachariah's state of worship, highlighting the connection between sincere devotion and divine favor.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Zachariah and John the Baptist within Surah Ali 'Imran, which discusses stories of faithful believers and the lineage of 'Imran. The surah was revealed in Medina and contextualizes the stories of righteous predecessors within discussions of faith, resurrection, and guidance. The passage establishes the spiritual heritage leading to Jesus ('Isa), reinforcing Islamic belief in the continuity of prophethood.
Related Hadiths
The story of Zachariah and Yahya is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3383) where the Prophet Muhammad mentions Zachariah's supplication and Allah's response. Additionally, Muslim tradition honors John the Baptist (Yahya) as mentioned in various ahadith discussing righteous prophets and the lineage of believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that sincere devotion and prayer during times of hardship open pathways for divine grace and blessings beyond our expectations. It teaches that righteousness is characterized not merely by outward piety but by qualities such as integrity, moral restraint, and sincere belief—virtues worth cultivating through consistent spiritual practice.
Related Ayahs
وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِلَّا لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْهُدَىٰ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ أَن يُؤْتَىٰٓ أَحَدٌ مِّثْلَ مَآ أُوتِيتُمْ أَوْ يُحَآجُّوكُمْ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And do not trust except those who follow your religion." Say, "Indeed, the [true] guidance is the guidance of Allāh. [Do you fear] lest someone be given [knowledge] like you were given or that they would [thereby] argue with you before your Lord?" Say, "Indeed, [all] bounty is in the hand of Allāh - He grants it to whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Wise."
مَثَلُ مَا يُنفِقُونَ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ رِيحٍ فِيهَا صِرٌّ أَصَابَتْ حَرْثَ قَوْمٍ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فَأَهْلَكَتْهُ ۚ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَـٰكِنْ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
The example of what they spend in this worldly life is like that of a wind containing frost which strikes the harvest of a people who have wronged themselves [i.e., sinned] and destroys it. And Allāh has not wronged them, but they wrong themselves.
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدْخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدْ أَخْزَيْتَهُۥ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّـٰلِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ
Our Lord, indeed whoever You admit to the Fire - You have disgraced him, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ
At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, "My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."