وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ 89
Translations
And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, "My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors."
Transliteration
Wa Zakariyyā idh nādā rabbahu rabbi lā tadharnī fardan wa anta khayru al-wārithīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah depicts Prophet Zachariah's supplication to Allah, beseeching Him not to leave him without an heir, acknowledging that Allah is the best of inheritors. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain that Zachariah feared his lineage would end and worried about the continuation of prophetic knowledge and guidance after him. His prayer reflects both personal concern and concern for the preservation of divine guidance, and demonstrates the permissibility of making such earnest requests to Allah while acknowledging His perfect wisdom and sovereignty.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Anbiyā, which chronicles stories of various prophets. The passage illustrates Zachariah's advanced age (he and his wife were both elderly) and his heartfelt plea for offspring. This is thematically connected to the broader Meccan context of reminding believers of God's power to fulfill seemingly impossible requests through the examples of the prophets.
Related Hadiths
The story of Zachariah and John (Yahya) is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (2:23:468) where the Prophet Muhammad mentioned the glad tidings given to Zachariah. Additionally, Muslim traditions emphasize the power of sincere supplication (du'ā) as exemplified by Zachariah's prayer, connecting to hadiths on the efficacy of du'ā in Tirmidhi and other collections.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that it is noble to make sincere, heartfelt supplications to Allah while acknowledging His complete authority and wisdom, and that even in seemingly impossible circumstances, we should never lose hope in Allah's ability to grant what we earnestly and sincerely seek. It reminds us that our concerns about the future should drive us to turn to Allah with humility and trust rather than despair.
Related Ayahs
أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
Uff to you and to what you worship instead of Allāh. Then will you not use reason?"
مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـٰهَآ ۖ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Not a [single] city which We destroyed believed before them, so will they believe?
قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱللَّـٰعِبِينَ
They said, "Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?"
وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلذِّكْرِ أَنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُونَ
And We have already written in the book [of Psalms] after the [previous] mention that the land [of Paradise] is inherited by My righteous servants.