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

هارون

Harun (Aaron)

Ancestor

أدا

Ada

Father (according to some)

زكريا

Zakariyya (Zechariah)

Prophet (peace be upon him)

Family

Family members named in the Quran and authentic Sunnah.

Wives

Not named in authentic sources

Mentioned in the Quran as barren in her old age; Allah granted her Yahya in answer to Zakariyya's prayer.

Sons

يحيى

Yahya (John the Baptist)

A Prophet; granted in old age as an answer to prayer.

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.

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