Prophet Zakariyah & Prophet Yahya عليهما السلام

Zachariah & John: Father and Son, Both Prophets of Allah

"O Zakariyah! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son. His name will be Yahya. We have given that name to none before him."

— Surah Maryam 19:7

This is the story of two prophets—a father and a son—both chosen by Allah, both devoted beyond measure, and both honored with peace on the day of their birth, the day of their death, and the day they will be raised alive. Their story is one of sincere prayer answered, of unwavering faith, and of a love for Allah that shaped every moment of their lives.

This account is drawn from the tradition of Ibn Kathir, one of the most respected scholars of Quranic commentary.

🌿 Prophet Zakariyah (AS) — A Prayer in Old Age

Prophet Zakariyah (AS) was a man of great devotion who had spent his entire life in the service of Allah. By the time he reached his nineties, age had bent his body and whitened his hair. Despite his frailty, he continued to go to the temple daily to deliver his sermons and guide his people.

He carried one deep sorrow in his heart—he had no children. His wife was barren, and he feared there would be no one after him to lead the people and preserve the teachings of Allah. Without a strong and righteous leader, he knew the people would drift from the truth.

One day, while visiting Maryam in her room in the temple, he found fresh out-of-season fruit waiting for her. When he asked where it came from, she replied simply that it was from Allah—Who provides without measure for whom He wills. Her words struck his heart. If Allah could provide the impossible for Maryam, could He not bless him with a child in his old age? With renewed hope, Zakariyah (AS) turned to his Lord in private, heartfelt prayer.

"My Lord! Indeed, my bones have grown feeble, and gray hair has spread on my head, and I have never been unblessed in my invocation to You, O my Lord! And verily I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir—who shall inherit me and inherit also the posterity of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are well-pleased!"

— Surah Maryam 19:4-6

✨ The Glad Tidings of Yahya (AS)

While Zakariyah (AS) was standing in prayer, the angels called out to him with the most joyful of news—Allah would bless him with a son named Yahya (John). This name had never been given to anyone before him.

Zakariyah (AS) was astonished: "My Lord! How can I have a son when I am very old and my wife is barren?" Allah replied, "Thus Allah does what He wills." Zakariyah (AS) asked for a sign and was told that his sign would be that he would not be able to speak to people for three days except by gesture—though he was in perfect health. During those three days, he came out of his prayer room and signaled to his people to glorify Allah morning and evening.

🌱 Prophet Yahya (AS) — The Devoted Son

Yahya (AS) was unlike other children. While other boys played and amused themselves, he was serious and contemplative. While other children sometimes harmed animals, Yahya showed mercy to all creatures—sharing his food with animals until nothing remained for him, eating only fruit and leaves.

From a young age, Allah blessed him with wisdom and understanding: "O Yahya! Hold fast to the Scripture." (Surah Maryam 19:12). He devoted himself to deep study of the Torah and became the wisest and most knowledgeable man of his time. Allah endowed him with the ability to judge disputes, interpret the secrets of religion, and guide people to the right path.

His compassion extended to every living creature. He slept wherever he found shelter—in mountains or caves—and even when lions or bears were present, the beasts would recognize him as the prophet who cared for all creation and would leave quietly, lowering their heads.

🤲 His Extraordinary Devotion to Allah

The depth of Yahya's love for Allah moved everyone who witnessed it. His parents once went searching for him and found him at the Jordan River, weeping in deep devotion. On another occasion, Zakariyah (AS) found him weeping inside a grave he had dug for himself to remind him of the Hereafter.

"My son, I have been searching for you, and you are dwelling in this grave weeping!" his father said. Yahya (AS) replied, "O Father, did you not tell me that between Paradise and Hell is only a span, and it will not be crossed except by tears of weepers?" And so father and son wept together.

He once said, "The dwellers of Paradise are sleepless out of the sweetness of Allah's bounty. That is why the faithful must be sleepless because of Allah's love in their hearts." He wept so often and so much that tears left permanent marks upon his cheeks—yet he found complete peace in the remembrance of Allah.

🕊️ His Martyrdom

Yahya (AS) was fearless in speaking the truth. When the tyrant ruler Herod Antipas planned to marry his own niece— Salome—in violation of the Torah, Yahya (AS) boldly declared it forbidden and refused to give it any approval. His pronouncement spread widely and angered both Salome and her mother.

Salome plotted her revenge. Using her charm to secure a promise from Herod, she demanded only one thing in return — the head of Yahya (AS). Blinded by his desires, Herod granted her request. The beloved Prophet of Allah was executed.

But the death of Allah's prophet was not without consequence. Those who plotted against him faced severe punishment—invading armies destroyed their kingdom. As for Yahya (AS), he died as he had lived—faithful, fearless, and beloved by Allah.

"And We gave him wisdom while yet a child and made him sympathetic to men as a mercy from Us and pure from sins. And he was righteous and dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither arrogant nor disobedient to Allah. And Salam (peace) on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life again!"

— Surah Maryam 19:12-15

May Allah be pleased with Prophet Zakariyah and Prophet Yahya, and may their stories inspire in us a deeper love for Allah, sincere prayer, and the courage to stand for truth no matter the cost.

عليهما السلام—Peace be upon them both