قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِىَ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرٌ ۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ 40
Translations
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."
Transliteration
Qala Rabbi anna yakunu li ghulaamun wa qad balaghani al-kibaru wa imra'ati 'aqirun qala kadhalika Allahu yaf'alu ma yasha'u
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah records the supplication of Zakariyyah (Zechariah) expressing amazement at how he could have a son given his advanced age and his wife's barrenness. Allah's response—'Thus does Allah do what He wills'—affirms that divine power transcends natural limitations and human assumptions. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari emphasize that this demonstrates Allah's absolute sovereignty (qadr) and ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible for those who place their trust in Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Surah Ali 'Imran (3:33-41), which recounts the story of Zakariyyah's prayer for an heir and the glad tidings of the birth of Yahya (John the Baptist). The context is Zakariyyah's expression of human doubt despite his deep faith, serving as a teaching moment about Divine power and the nature of miracles.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3206): The Prophet Muhammad mentioned that Zakariyyah called upon Allah with supplication when he felt lonely and aged. Additionally, hadith collections record that the Prophet said Yahya was one of the best of people, emphasizing the blessing of this child born against natural expectation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that Allah's power is unlimited and operates beyond natural causality; when facing seemingly impossible circumstances, one should never lose hope but rather increase in faith and supplication, trusting that Allah accomplishes what He wills for those whom He chooses.
Related Ayahs
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
And [remember] when you, [O Muḥammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uḥud] - and Allāh is Hearing and Knowing -
۞ إِذْ تُصْعِدُونَ وَلَا تَلْوُۥنَ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٍ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ فِىٓ أُخْرَىٰكُمْ فَأَثَـٰبَكُمْ غَمًّۢا بِغَمٍّ لِّكَيْلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا مَآ أَصَـٰبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
[Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allāh repaid you with distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allāh is [fully] Aware of what you do.
خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
Abiding eternally therein. The punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوا۟ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ أَضْعَـٰفًا مُّضَـٰعَفَةً ۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allāh that you may be successful.