(38–41) “Thereupon Zechariah prayed to his Lord, saying, ‘My Lord, grant me from Yourself righteous offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of prayer.’ Then the angels called out to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary: ‘Allah gives you glad tidings of John, who will confirm a Word from Allah, and who will be noble, chaste, and a prophet among the righteous.’ He said, ‘My Lord, how can I have a son when old age has overtaken me and my wife is barren?’ He said, ‘So it will be. Allah does whatever He wills.’ He said, ‘My Lord, give me a sign.’ He said, ‘Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three days except by gestures. Remember your Lord often, and glorify Him in the evening and morning.’”
That is, Zechariah (peace be upon him) prayed to his Lord to grant him righteous offspring—offspring of pure character and excellent manners—so that through them his religious and worldly blessings might be made complete. Allah therefore answered ⦗130⦘ his prayer.
While he stood in his sanctuary worshipping his Lord and humbly beseeching Him, the angels called out to him: “Allah gives you glad tidings of John, who will confirm a Word from Allah”—that is, Jesus (peace be upon him), for he was brought into existence by Allah’s word—“and who will be noble,” meaning that he would possess such excellent qualities as to become a leader to whom people turned in their affairs; “and chaste,” meaning that he would be kept from relations with women, his heart harboring no desire for them because he was occupied with serving and obeying his Lord; “and a prophet among the righteous.” What glad tidings could be greater than those of a son whose coming was announced, whose perfect qualities were described, and who would be a prophet among the righteous?
Overcome with joy, Zechariah said, “My Lord, how can I have a son when old age has overtaken me and my wife is barren?” Either of these circumstances alone would prevent the birth of a child, so what of the two combined? Allah Most High informed him that this would transcend the customary order, saying: “So it will be. Allah does whatever He wills.” Just as Allah Most High has ordained that children ordinarily come into existence through causes, including procreation, He can bring them into existence without those causes whenever He wills, for nothing is beyond His power.
Out of eagerness for this matter and so that his heart might attain complete reassurance, Zechariah (peace be upon him) said, “My Lord, give me a sign”—that is, an indication that the child would come. He said, “Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three days except by gestures.” That is, your tongue will be restrained from speaking to them, despite your suffering no ailment or harm, so that you will be able to communicate only through signs and gestures. His inability to speak was a tremendous sign. It also contained a remarkable correspondence: just as Allah prevents causes from producing their effects despite their presence, He also brings things into existence without their customary causes, demonstrating that all causes fall entirely under His decree and predestination.
Accordingly, Zechariah was unable to speak for three days, and Allah commanded him to show gratitude and remember Him often in the evening and morning. Then, when he came out of the sanctuary to his people, “he signaled to them to glorify Allah morning and evening”—that is, at the beginning and end of the day.