He said: "O my Lord, how shall I have a boy when old age has come upon me and my wife is barren?" Said He: 'That is how Allah does what He wills." [40] He said: "O my Lord, set for me a sign." Said He: 'Tour sign is that you shall not be able to speak to people for three days except through gestures. And remember your Lord much and proclaim His purity at evening and at morning."[41] (3:40-41)

Commentary

We have already seen that Sayyidna Zakariyya (A.S) believed in the absolute power of Allah and had seen its manifestation repeatedly and that he had himself made the prayer and knew of its acceptance as well, what then, did he mean by asking: 'how shall I have a boy?' The truth of the matter is that the question asked by him was not because of any doubt in the absolute power of Allah. Quite contrary to this, the purpose of the question was to find out the state in which this was to happen: whether the present extreme old age of both of them would remain just as it was, or would that state be changed. The eloquent reply given in (That is how Allah does what He wills) makes it clear that they were to remain at the same age and that they would have an offspring in that very state. This resolves any doubt that may be entertained at this point. (Bayan al-Qur'an)

2. With reference to verse 41, Sayyidna Zakariyya's purpose behind requesting a sign (of pregnancy) was to be happy at the prospect and thus be enabled to show their gratitude all along even prior to the actual birth of the child. So, Allah gave him the sign stated above.

The sign given was remarkably suitable to its purpose. His request for a sign was prompted by his wish to show his gratefulness. Now, the sign set for him leaves him incapable of doing anything but this. Even a hundred signs would have not done what this one sign did and, of course, the noble purpose he had on his mind was all too well-accomplished. (Bayan ai-Qur'an)

3. The last phrase: (except through gestures) in this verse tells us that in a situation where speech is not possible because of a valid reason, gesture would be deemed as its substitute. Consequently, it appears in a hadith that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam: Peace be upon him asked a maid-servant: ('Where is Allah?'). She pointed out towards the sky. He said: 'This maid-servant is a Muslim.' (al-Qurtubi) [Ma'ariful Qur'an]

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 23rd November 2011

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