Accordingly, she grew up in the manner of the righteous, the utterly truthful, devoting herself to the worship of her Lord and remaining constantly in her prayer niche. Whenever Zechariah entered the sanctuary to see her, he found provisions beside her. He asked, “Mary, where has this come from?” for she had no provider but Zechariah himself. She answered, “It is from Allah. Allah gives provision to whom He wills without reckoning” (Q 3:37). In other words, His sustenance reaches people by familiar means and by other, unexpected ways, and Allah is capable of all things.

Witnessing this moved Zechariah to recall his Lord’s gentle kindness and filled him with hope in His mercy, so he prayed that Allah would grant him a child to inherit his knowledge and prophethood and, after him, teach and guide the Children of Israel.

“The angels called out to him while he stood praying in the sanctuary: ‘Allah gives you glad tidings of John, confirming a word from Allah’”—that is, Jesus, peace be upon him—“‘noble, chaste, and a prophet among the righteous’” (see Q 3:39). “Noble” means held in high esteem by Allah and by people, owing to the virtuous character, vast knowledge, and righteous deeds with which Allah endowed him. “Chaste” means protected by Allah from falling into sin. Thus Allah portrayed him as granted every form of good and shielded from every evil and lapse—the peak of human perfection.

Zechariah marveled: “How can I have a son when my wife is barren and I have reached extreme old age?” He was told, “So it shall be. Your Lord says: ‘That is easy for Me. I created you before, when you were nothing’” (Q 19:8–9)—an event even more wondrous than her conceiving despite her barrenness and your advanced years.

Overjoyed yet eager for reassurance, he said, “My Lord, grant me a sign”—something that would signal the child’s coming. He was told, “Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three nights, although you are sound in health” (Q 19:10), and, “Remember your Lord often and glorify Him in the evening and at dawn” (Q 3:41). This was a mighty sign: he was prevented from ordinary speech—the easiest act for any person—although fully able-bodied, so that he could communicate only by gestures, yet his tongue flowed freely with the remembrance, glorification, and praise of Allah. At that moment the divine glad tidings were confirmed for him, and he knew with certainty that the promised child must come.