إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا 3
Translations
When he called to his Lord a private call [i.e., supplication].
Transliteration
Idh nada rabbahu nida'an khafiyya
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to Zakariyyah's (Zacharias) private and humble supplication to his Lord, calling upon Him in a low voice with sincerity and discretion. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this manner of supplication reflects deep reverence, humility, and intimate connection with Allah—the servant speaking to his Lord in secrecy, away from public display. This demonstrates the quality of khushu' (reverent focus) that Allah loves, as exemplified in Surah Al-A'raf 7:205 regarding remembrance of Allah with a lowered voice.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Zakariyyah's prayer for offspring in his old age. The surah opens with Zakariyyah's story (19:2-11), and this particular verse establishes the context of his private invocation to Allah—a setup before Allah grants him the glad tidings of the birth of Yahya (John the Baptist). The narrative illustrates how sincere, hidden supplication is answered by Allah.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The best worship is to supplicate (make du'a)' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, Surah Al-A'raf 7:205 relates to this theme: 'And remember your Lord within yourself, humbly and with fear, without loudness of speech.'
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that the most powerful supplications are those made privately and humbly, with sincere intention rather than public display, and that Allah listens to the sincere call of His servants regardless of their circumstances or age. It encourages believers to approach their Lord with reverence, discretion, and trust in His ability to grant their needs.