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
۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ وَنُوحًا وَءَالَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَءَالَ عِمْرَٰنَ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Indeed, Allāh chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of ʿImrān over the worlds -
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ۚ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.
۞ فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْكُفْرَ قَالَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشْهَدْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ
But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allāh?" The disciples said, "We are supporters for Allāh. We have believed in Allāh and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him].