Transliteration:( Qaala Rabbij 'al leee Aayah; qaala Aayatuka allaa tukalliman naasa salaasa layaalin sawiyyaa )
"He said, 'O my Lord, grant me a sign.' [16] He said, 'Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three nights while being in sound health.' [17]" (Kanzul Imaan Translation)
Hazrat Zakariya asked for a sign that would indicate his wife’s pregnancy, so he could begin expressing gratitude to Allah from that very moment.
This request was not out of doubt, but as a way to start glorifying Allah even before the birth.
This means that for three nights, his tongue would be occupied in the remembrance of Allah and not be used for speaking to people.
This was not due to any physical disability, because Prophets are protected from defects such as muteness.
Hence, the phrase "while being in sound health" confirms that it was a divinely imposed, purposeful silence—not an ailment.
10. He Zakariyya said: “My Lord! Appoint for me a sign.” He said: “Your sign is that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect.” 11. Then he came out to his people from the Mihrab and he indicated to them by signs to glorify ﴿Allah﴾ in the morning and in the afternoon.
Allah, the Exalted, informed about Zakariyya that he said,
(He (Zakariyya) said: “My Lord! Appoint for me a sign.”) “Give me a sign and a proof of the existence of that which You have promised me, so that my soul will be at rest and my heart will be at ease with Your promise.” Similarly Ibrahim said,
(My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead. He (Allah) said: “Do you not believe” He said: “Yes (I believe), but to put my heart at ease.”)﴿2:260﴾ Then Allah says,
(He said: “Your sign is…”) meaning, “Your sign will be…”
(that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect.) Meaning, `your tongue will be prevented from speaking for three nights while you are healthy and fit, without any sickness or illness.’ Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Wahb, As-Suddi, Qatadah and others said, “His tongue was arrested without any sickness or illness.” `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, “He used to recite and glorify Allah, but he was not able to speak to his people except by gestures. ” Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said,
(three nights, though having no bodily defect.) “The nights were consecutive.” However, the first statement that is reported from him and the majority is more correct. This Ayah is similar to what Allah, the Exalted, said in Surah Al `Imran,
(He said: “O my Lord! Make a sign for me.” (Allah) said “Your sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except with signals. And remember your Lord much, and glorify (Him) in the afternoon and in the morning.)﴿3:41﴾ This is a proof that he did not speak to his people for these three nights and their days as well.
(except with signals.) Meaning, with bodily gestures, this is why Allah says in this noble Ayah,
(Then he came out to his people from the Mihrab) referring to the place where he was given the good news of the child.
(he indicated to them by signs) Meaning he made a gesture to them that was subtle and swift.
(to glorify ﴿Allah﴾ in the morning and in the afternoon.) That they should be agreeable to what he was commanded to do during these three days, to increase in his deeds and gratitude to Allah for what He had given him. Mujahid said,
(he indicated to them by signs) “He made a gesture.” Wahb and Qatadah said the same.
(19:10) Zechariah said: “Lord, grant me a Sign.” Said He: “Your Sign is that you shall not be able to speak to people for three nights, though you will be otherwise sound.”
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
[811]- i.e., without illness or defect.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics