وَحَنَانًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةً ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّا 13
Translations
And affection from Us and purity, and he was fearing of Allāh
Transliteration
Wa hananan min ladunna wa zakatan wa kana taqiyya
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the qualities bestowed upon Yahya (John the Baptist) by Allah: compassion (hanān), purification/righteousness (zakāh), and piety (taqwā). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret these as spiritual gifts from Allah's grace—Yahya was granted a tender heart full of mercy, spiritual purification, and devoutness despite his young age. These virtues exemplify the character traits that Allah cultivates in His chosen servants.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears within the broader context of Surah Maryam, which recounts the miraculous birth of Yahya (John the Baptist) to the elderly Zachariah and his barren wife. The surah emphasizes divine mercy and the fulfillment of impossible requests through Allah's power, with this particular verse highlighting the immediate manifestation of Yahya's spiritual excellence from childhood.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The best of you in the pre-Islamic period are the best of you in Islam, if you understand the religion' (Sahih Bukhari 3495), which relates to the inherent virtue and wisdom granted to righteous servants like Yahya. Additionally, the Prophet praised Yahya, saying he was among the best of men (as referenced in Tirmidhi's collections).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true excellence is a combination of divine grace, tender mercy toward others, and personal piety—qualities that can manifest at any age when one is receptive to Allah's blessings. Modern believers should aspire to develop compassion, spiritual consciousness, and righteousness as integrated aspects of their character development.