هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ 38
Translations
At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, "My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication."
Transliteration
Hunalika da'a Zakariyyā rabbahu qāla rabbi hab lī min ladunka dhurriyyatan tayyibatan innaka samī'u ad-du'ā'
Tafsir (Explanation)
At that moment (when Zachariah witnessed the miraculous provision for Mary), Zachariah called upon his Lord, supplicating: 'My Lord, grant me from You righteous offspring, indeed You are the Hearer of supplications.' This ayah demonstrates Zachariah's faith and hope despite his advanced age and his wife's infertility. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that Zachariah's dua was answered with the birth of Yahya (John the Baptist), demonstrating Allah's power to grant children even in seemingly impossible circumstances, and highlighting the importance of sincere supplication combined with faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Mary's story in Surah Ali 'Imran (3:37), where Zachariah witnessed the miraculous provision of fruit to Mary in her sanctuary. This sight rekindled his hope and prompted his supplication for offspring despite his old age. The context emphasizes divine provision and the power of sincere dua as a means of receiving blessings.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, 'Nothing is more honored by Allah the Most High than supplication' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3371). Additionally, Surah Maryam (19:4-6) provides the fuller account of Zachariah's dua and Allah's response with the glad tidings of Yahya.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that sincere dua backed by faith is a means of receiving Allah's blessings, and that no circumstance is too difficult for Allah to resolve. It reminds us to turn to Allah in supplication for righteous children and good progeny, maintaining hope and trust even when worldly means seem exhausted.
Related Ayahs
رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, and grant us what You promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, You do not fail in [Your] promise."
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوْمٍ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ
Our Lord, surely You will gather the people for a Day about which there is no doubt. Indeed, Allāh does not fail in His promise."
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلْقَلْبِ لَٱنفَضُّوا۟ مِنْ حَوْلِكَ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
So by mercy from Allāh, [O Muḥammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allāh. Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely [upon Him].
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."