3rd of Rabi’ Al-Awwal
Suuratul Al-Imraan Verse 39.
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فَنَادَتْهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآئِمٌ يُصَلِّى فِى ٱلْمِحْرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّـهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَىٰ مُصَدِّقًۢا بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّـهِ وَسَيِّدًا وَحَصُورًا وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ﴿٣٩
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39. Then the angels called him (Zakariyya), while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room): “Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John), confirming the Word from Allah [i.e. the creation of ‘Iesa (Jesus)], noble, keeping away from sexual relations with women, a Prophet, from among the righteous.”
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir Volume 2, Page 153
Allah said,
﴿فَنَادَتْهُ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّى فِى الْمِحْرَابِ﴾
“Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in the Mihrab”
Meaning, the angels spoke to him directly while he was secluded, standing in prayer at his place of worship. Allah told us about the good news that the angels delivered to Zakariyya,
﴿أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحْيَـى﴾
“Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya”
Of a child from your offspring, his name is Yahya. Qatadah and other scholars said that he was called Yahya (literally, `he lives’) because Allah filled his life with faith.
Allah said next,
﴿مُصَدِّقاً بِكَلِمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ﴾
(believing in the Word from Allah)
Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas and several others said that the Ayah means, “Believing in `Isa, son of Maryam.” Abu Al-`Aliyah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas, Qatadah and Sa`id bin Jubayr said that Allah’s statement,
﴿وَسَيِّدًا﴾
“And Sayyidan”
Means, a wise man. Mujahid said that Sayyidan means, honored by Allah. Allah’s statement,
﴿وَحَصُورًا﴾
“And Hasuran”
Does not mean he refrains from sexual relations with women, but that he is immune from illegal sexual relations. This does not mean that he does not marry women and have legal sexual relations with them, for Zakariyya said in his supplication for the benefit of Yahya, (Grant me from You, a good offspring), meaning, grant me a son who will have offspring, and Allah knows best.
Allah’s statement,
﴿وَنَبِيًّا مِّنَ الصَّـلِحِينَ﴾
“A Prophet, from among the righteous”
Delivers more good news of sending Yahya as Prophet after the good news that he will be born. This good news was even better than the news of Yahya’s birth.
AnAayahAtATime 