Zechariah: A heartfelt longing

When mentioning Zechariah, the Surah of Maryam speaks of his Lord's mercy toward him. Zechariah prays with a secret, sincere call. The narrative begins not with a request before a crowd, but with the private orientation of a person who opens his need to his Lord.

He says that he has aged, his bones have weakened, and his hair has turned white. He recalls that his Lord had not left him unanswered in his prayers before. He expresses his anxiety regarding his relatives after him; he states that his wife is unable to have children and asks for a child who will provide a blessed continuation for him.

He is given the good news of a son named John. Zechariah asks how this can be, considering his old age and the condition of his wife. In the answer given, it is recalled that this is easy for God and that he himself was created from nothing before. Thus, the astonishment of the person receiving the good news also finds its place within the story.

Zechariah asks for a sign. It is declared that he will not be able to speak to people for three nights, even though he is healthy. When he comes out of his place of worship to his community, he signals them to exalt God in the morning and evening. The story is completed in this section with prayer, longing, good news, and a sign; this special response does not mean that the same result is guaranteed for every prayer for a child.