Lesson 22
Zechariah
Faithful priest in sanctuary, prayer in old age, guardian of Maryam, herald's father
Step 1
What does the Qur'an say?
- Surah Al-Imran (3:37–41)
Guardian of Maryam (Mary) in the mihrab sanctuary, seeing miraculous out-of-season food, praying in secret for a holy heir despite old age, sign of 3 days silence.
- Surah Maryam (19:2–11)
Calling upon his Lord in privacy ("My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened..."), granted son named Yahya.
Key Roles
- A devout priest and prophet who maintained pure worship in the Temple and received miraculous answer to prayer in his old age.
Reflection Questions
- ◆What inspired Zakariya to pray for a child even when his body was old and his wife barren (Surah 3:37–38)?
Quiz 1 — Qur'anic Reading
Question 1
What did Zakariya observe in Maryam's prayer sanctuary (Mihrab) that prompted him to pray for his own miracle?
Insight
Seeing God's supernatural provision for others reawakens our own faith to ask God for impossible miracles.