Like the Prophets who came before and after him, Prophet Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was a righteous man of noble descent. He was among the Prophets sent to tread the blessed soil of Jerusalem, guiding the Children of Israel along the path of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
Prophet Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was a man of humble means but always eager to help those in need.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Zakariyya was a carpenter.” (Sahih hadith from Sunan Ibn Majah 2150 as well as Sahih Muslim 2379)
Imam Nawawi mentions how this profession further reflects his humility and dedication to earning a living through honest means. In a separate hadith,
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “No one has ever eaten food better than that which his hands have earned.” — (Sahih al-Bukhari 2072)
Aside from his work as a carpenter, he remained steadfast in his service to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). He oversaw Bayt al-Maqdis (Masjid Al-Aqsa), and here, he tirelessly strived to remind his people of their duty through his sermons.
While content and grateful for all that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had blessed him with, he harbored one growing concern. He was well into his nineties with no heir to continue his legacy. He felt Bani Israel needed a strong, vibrant leader who would keep them on the straight path of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). As the seasons passed, Prophet Zakariyah (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his wife aged, reaching well beyond the years of parenthood.
Wife of Prophet Zakariya (AS)
Prophet Zakariya (AS) was one of the prophets from the Bani Israel. As we already know, Allah sent many prophets to this nation, and he was among them. He was one of Prophet Sulaiman’s (AS) descendants. He earned his livelihood as a carpenter. Furthermore, he was a very righteous person. He was in charge of a temple, and there, he prayed to Allah and worshiped Him as a true believer.
Prophet Zakariya (AS) was a very humble man and constantly remained thankful toward Allah. He lived a life of simplicity and was not at all extravagant in his lifestyle. Most of the people around them lacked qualities such as being obedient worshipers of Allah. However, Zakariya (AS) followed the law of Musa (AS), and he would live in the way Allah has commanded human beings to. He would spend long hours praying and preaching.
THE BLESSED FAMILY OF IMRAN AND THE BIRTH OF MARYAM (رضی اللہ عنہ
The Holy Qur’an mentions how:
English Translation:
Allah chose Adam, Nuh, the family of Ibrahim and the family of ‘Imran above the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns). They were descendants one of another. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
The Qur’an further has two surahs titled “Surah Al-Imran” and “Surah Maryam,” named after Imran, who was the father of Maryam (ra), who in turn was the mother of Isa or Jesus (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).
This was a very blessed family, and the verse traces the bloodline of The House of Imran back to Ibrahim and Nuh and ultimately from Adam (peace be upon them all). This ayah is significant from the perspective of understanding that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) did not elevate one family over the other. Rather, they were all descendants of one another and further connected through their obedient worship of one God.
Now, the wife of Imran is believed to be Hannah, although not explicitly named in the Qur’an. She was a very pious and respected woman. Ibn Katheer mentions how one day, Hannah came across a bird feeding its chick. She herself was unable to conceive, and she deeply longed for a child.
FAMILY TREE OF PROPHET ZAKARYA AS
Hz. Zakariyya is descended from Hz. Sulayman (Solomon).He served as the imam of Masjid al-Aqsa in Quds (Jerusalem).After that, Allah Almighty choose him to be a prophet for the Israelites.A new Shari’ah was not introduced by Hz. Zakariyya.He followed Hz. Musa’s Shari’ah (Moses).According to a Muslim account. Hz. Zakariyya was skilled in carpentry.Hz. Zakariyya and his wife had a son nemd hazrat yahya (AS) in very old ag as a result of honest prayer of hazrat zakariya. Zakariya AS, Yahya AS, and Isa AS, the last generation of Prophets and Messengers descending from Ishaq AS, are connected by blood and by their proximity in both time and space. It is important to study all of these Prophets’ biographies together to completely comprehend their relationship between them
Death of PROPHET ZAKARYA AS
It was not a natural death for the Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him).The Israelites eventually made the decision to execute him.In the tree’s shade, he hid himself.The Jews started cutting that section of the tree.The Prophet Zakariya (peace be upon him) did not even utter a faint cry.His body had been split in half.
Zakariya (AS) Looks After Maryam – Prophet Zakariya Story
Allah narrates in the Quran how Maryam grew up as a righteous woman. She always had the best manners and focused on Allah’s worship. Additionally, she would stay away from the rest of the people in seclusion in her prayer chamber, as Allah describes in the Quran. Zakariya (AS) would frequently go and check up on her. When he would get there, he would find various assortments of food around her. He didn’t bring it for her, so he wondered how it got there and asked her. She replied that it was a provision from her Lord, Allah.
Hence, Zakariya (AS) witnessed such miracles with his own eyes. He saw Allah bless and provide for Maryam after her father passed away. He himself was just a means for Allah to take care of her and provide her with shelter. Therefore, he had complete faith in Allah and always trusted that things would pan out in the best way. He had a burning desire at this point to have a child to continue preaching the message of Allah and Islam. Despite his advanced age, he never gave up hope.
Zakariya (AS) Prays for a Child
At this point in his life, Zakariya (AS) was old. His wife was also barren, unable to bear children. However, he still made the dua to Allah because he knew that nothing is impossible for Him. Allah has mentioned the dua multiple times in the Quran. Besides the above, he mentions this incident in Surah aal-Imran and Surah al-Anbiya as well, showing the immense importance of what took place.
In his dua, Zakariyah (AS) asked Allah to bless him with a child who would inherit from him and his family. Additionally, he made it a point to ask for an offspring who would be pleasing to Allah, not one who would displease and disobey Him. It was a truly beautiful and heartfelt dua, coming purely from the heart
Allah Answers His Prayer
Conclusion
Prophet Zakariya (AS) was one of Allah’s beloved prophets. His story contains many lessons for us, and the way he took care of Maryam is also touching. Despite not making much headway with his people as he preached to them, he diligently kept at is, since that is what Allah asked him to do and sent him down for.
We must love and respect all prophets of Allah, and Zakariya (AS) is no different. In fact, due to his nature and attitude, he is undoubtedly a role model for Muslims alongside the other prophets. The purpose of reading such stories is to gain knowledge from them; however, it’s also possible to be inspired, and that is a good thing too.
