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
قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
She said, "My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?" [The angel] said, "Such is Allāh; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, 'Be,' and it is.
أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
So is it other than the religion of Allāh they desire, while to Him have submitted [all] those within the heavens and earth, willingly or by compulsion, and to Him they will be returned?
هُمْ دَرَجَـٰتٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ
They are [varying] degrees in the sight of Allāh, and Allāh is Seeing of whatever they do.
وَلَا يَحْزُنكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْكُفْرِ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ لَن يَضُرُّوا۟ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًٔا ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَلَّا يَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ حَظًّا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
And do not be grieved, [O Muḥammad], by those who hasten into disbelief. Indeed, they will never harm Allāh at all. Allāh intends that He should give them no share in the Hereafter, and for them is a great punishment.