فَنَادَتْهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآئِمٌ يُصَلِّى فِى ٱلْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًۢا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ 39
Translations
So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, "Indeed, Allāh gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allāh and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous."
Transliteration
Fanādat-hu al-malā'ikatu wa huwa qā'imun yusallī fī al-mihrāb anna Allāha yubashshiruka bi-Yahyā muṣaddiqan bi-kalimatim min Allāh wa sayyidan wa ḥasūran wa nabiyyan min as-sāliḥīn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the moment when the angels called out to Zachariah while he was standing in prayer in the mihrab (prayer niche), announcing the glad tidings of the birth of John (Yahya). Yahya is characterized with five noble qualities: he will be a believer in Jesus ('Isa) and his message, a leader, chaste/celibate (hasur), and a righteous prophet. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this miraculous announcement occurred during Zachariah's state of worship, highlighting the connection between sincere devotion and divine favor.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Zachariah and John the Baptist within Surah Ali 'Imran, which discusses stories of faithful believers and the lineage of 'Imran. The surah was revealed in Medina and contextualizes the stories of righteous predecessors within discussions of faith, resurrection, and guidance. The passage establishes the spiritual heritage leading to Jesus ('Isa), reinforcing Islamic belief in the continuity of prophethood.
Related Hadiths
The story of Zachariah and Yahya is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3383) where the Prophet Muhammad mentions Zachariah's supplication and Allah's response. Additionally, Muslim tradition honors John the Baptist (Yahya) as mentioned in various ahadith discussing righteous prophets and the lineage of believers.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that sincere devotion and prayer during times of hardship open pathways for divine grace and blessings beyond our expectations. It teaches that righteousness is characterized not merely by outward piety but by qualities such as integrity, moral restraint, and sincere belief—virtues worth cultivating through consistent spiritual practice.
Related Ayahs
هَـٰٓأَنتُمْ أُو۟لَآءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِبُّونَكُمْ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْكِتَـٰبِ كُلِّهِۦ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ عَضُّوا۟ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْأَنَامِلَ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ ۚ قُلْ مُوتُوا۟ بِغَيْظِكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Here you are loving them but they are not loving you, while you believe in the Scripture - all of it. And when they meet you, they say, "We believe." But when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say, "Die in your rage. Indeed, Allāh is Knowing of that within the breasts."
رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُنَادِى لِلْإِيمَـٰنِ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَـَٔامَنَّا ۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّـَٔاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلْأَبْرَارِ
Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] calling to faith, [saying], 'Believe in your Lord,' and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die among the righteous.
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."
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِىَ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ
He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?" He [the angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He does what He wills."