Zakariyya عليه السلام Prays for Yahya عليه السلام

This Sirah lesson tells the story of Prophet Zakariyya عليه السلام and his duʿa for a child he never stopped hoping for. Part of the Sirah Stories series, it is set in Jerusalem, Palestine, where Allah chose Zakariyya عليه السلام to guide the people and care for Bayt al-Maqdis, the blessed place around al-Masjid al-Aqsa.

Zakariyya عليه السلام also looked after Maryam عليها السلام, a young girl from his relatives, whose mother had promised Allah she would live in the Masjid to worship Him. One day, he found fresh fruit with her, fruit that didn’t grow in that season. He asked where it came from. She replied: “They’re from Allah.” Something shifted in him. If Allah gives fruit out of season, He can also give me a child in my old age. His hair was white. His wife was old. But he made duʿa anyway: “O my Lord, bless me with a righteous child from You. You hear all duʿas.” While he was still praying, angels called out: “Allah gives you good news of Yahya!” Yahya عليه السلام grew up kind, wise, and deeply respectful of his parents. Together, father and son raced each other to do good deeds. The lesson ends with a line worth sitting with: good things take time, keep asking Allah and never lose hope.