Zakariyya (Zechariah)Prophet and guardian of Maryam

Also known as: Zechariah

Nation / People

The Children of Israel in the Levant (Jerusalem area)

Period

Approximately 1st century BCE; the Second Temple period

Lifespan

Said to be between 100 and 120 years

Burial Place

Aleppo (Halab) in Syria, according to some narrations; the Great Mosque of Aleppo contains a site identified as his tomb

Message

Never despair of Allah's mercy; direct all need and hope to Allah alone in sincere supplication, for Allah answers the call of the sincere.

Lineage

1.
Ada- Father (according to some)
2.
Harun (Aaron)- Ancestor

Key Miracles

A son (Yahya) granted to him and his barren wife despite their extreme old age
Made mute for three days as a sign of confirmation of the glad tidings

Key Stories

Appointed as guardian of Maryam (Mary) in the Temple
Found Maryam with provisions of food and asked her about it; she replied it was from Allah
Supplicated to Allah for a righteous heir though his wife was barren and he was very old
The angels came to him whilst he prayed in the sanctuary: 'Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya'
His sign: silence for three days unable to speak except by gestures
Raised his son Yahya as a wise and righteous Prophet
Martyred by his own people according to narrations

Mentioned in the Quran

Surah Maryam (19:2-15)Surah Al-Imran (3:37-41)Surah al-Anbiya (21:89-90)

Special Characteristics

His secret supplication to Allah for a child, made in his extreme old age, is held as a model of sincere and hopeful prayer. His story illustrates that no sincere prayer to Allah is ever unanswered, and that Allah can do what is beyond all natural possibility.