قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ ٱلْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا 8
Translations
He said, "My Lord, how will I have a boy when my wife has been barren and I have reached extreme old age?"
Transliteration
Qala Rabbi anna yakunu li ghulam wa kanat imraati aaqirun wa qad balagtu mina alkibari itiyya
Tafsir (Explanation)
Zachariah (Zakariyyā) expresses his human doubt and astonishment at Allah's promise of a son, citing two seemingly insurmountable obstacles: his advanced age and his wife's barrenness. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this statement reflects the natural human response to what appears impossible by worldly standards, yet it is not a rejection of Allah's promise but rather an expression of wonder at how such a miracle could occur. Al-Qurtubi notes that Zachariah's question (Anna - 'how') seeks clarification of the manner, not doubt in Allah's ability, distinguishing his reaction from outright disbelief.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the broader narrative of Surah Maryam, which emphasizes Allah's miraculous power over creation and the births of extraordinary prophets. Zachariah's response comes immediately after Allah's messenger announces the glad tidings of a righteous son (Yahya/John the Baptist), providing context for understanding how even the faithful can experience momentary bewilderment at divine signs. The surah was revealed in Mecca during a period emphasizing Allah's control over life, death, and the natural order.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Bukhari (Book of Tafsir) reports that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) mentioned Zachariah's prayer and patience. Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, there are narrations about the virtue of supplication during despair and old age, which contextualizes Zachariah's eventual patient acceptance of Allah's will.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that expressing wonder or questioning the 'how' of Allah's miracles—when rooted in faith rather than disbelief—is a natural human experience that does not negate one's submission to Allah. Modern believers facing seemingly impossible circumstances are reminded that Allah's power transcends natural laws and human limitations, encouraging patience and reliance on Him rather than despair.
Related Ayahs
وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ
And He sent against them birds in flocks,
۞ وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا ٱلْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُۥ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
And [mention] when We raised the mountain above them as if it was a dark cloud and they were certain that it would fall upon them, [and Allāh said], "Take what We have given you with determination and remember what is in it that you might fear Allāh."
وَلَبِثُوا۟ فِى كَهْفِهِمْ ثَلَـٰثَ مِا۟ئَةٍ سِنِينَ وَٱزْدَادُوا۟ تِسْعًا
And they remained in their cave for three hundred years and exceeded by nine.
وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ ٱلْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَـٰكُمْ وَأَغْرَقْنَآ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَأَنتُمْ تَنظُرُونَ
And [recall] when We parted the sea for you and saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on.