English Sahih International

Relates to you a mercy of your Sustainer unto His servant Zachariah.

He said, "My Lord! My bones have turned brittle and my head is shining with gray hair, and I have never remained unblessed in my prayer to you, my Lord."

Let him be my heir and the heir of the house of Jacob and make him, my Lord, worthy of Your acceptance."

Zachariah exclaimed, "My Lord! How can I have a son when my wife is barren and I am already infirm with old age?"

Zachariah said, "My Lord! Give me a special message." He said, "The Message is that you shall not speak to people for three nights (and days) consecutively." (He was not to break the news too soon, before he and his wife Elizabeth got over their excitement). (3:40-41), (19:26)).

(John was born according to the good news.) We told him "O Yahya! Hold fast the Scripture." And We had granted him wisdom and good judgment when he was yet a little boy.

He was dutiful toward his parents, and was polite, not rebellious or arrogant.

(O Prophet) Make mention of Mary in the Book when she withdrew from her people to an eastern location. (She left the sanctuary and went to her village in Nazareth).

She exclaimed, "Verily, I seek refuge in the Most Gracious that you may be righteous."

She said, "How can I have a son when no man has ever touched me? For, never have I been a loose woman!" (3:46), (19:28).

And in time she conceived him and withdrew with him to a far-off place, (Bethlehem).

A voice came to her from beneath the palm-tree, "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a rivulet beneath you."

"Eat then and drink, and let your eyes be gladdened! And if you see any human being, convey this to him, 'Behold, I have made a vow of silence for the Beneficent. Hence, I may not speak to any person today.' "

"O Sister of Aaron! Your father was not a bad man, nor was your mother a loose woman, nor did she ever oppose the system."

But he spoke up, "Behold, I am a servant of God. He has given me Revelation and appointed me a Prophet."

"And He has made me kind to my mother, and has not made me haughty, unblessed."

Such was Jesus, the son of Mary and this is the Truth of this matter about whose nature they so deeply disagree.

And (Jesus always said), "Verily, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him alone. This is the Straight Path."

How plainly will they hear and see the truth when they come before Us! Today, however, they persist in doing wrong to themselves and are obviously lost in error.

Behold, We inherit the earth, and all who are thereon, and unto Us all will return.

He even confronted his father (Azar), "O My father! Why worship that which hear not and see not and can be of no avail to you?" (Azar, Terah, was the Chief Priest of King Nimrod Shaddad of Babylon and Ninevah, and was a master sculptor).

"O My father! Serve not the Satan. Satan, the selfish desire, is a rebel against the Beneficent."

He answered, "You dislike my gods, O Abraham? If you cease not, I will certainly cause you to be stoned to death! Now get away from me for good! " (As the Chief Priest, Azar had the power to declare someone apostate and condemn him to be stoned. For the Divine Statute of no compulsion in religion see (2:256)).

"I am withdrawing from you all and from whatever you invoke besides Allah. I will call on my Lord. By imploring my Lord alone, I cannot go wrong." (60:4).

We showered them with Our Grace and We granted them a high and true renown.

We called and blessed him with Revelation by the Mount Sinai and made him draw near to Us to converse in secret. (Right side of the Mount allegorically indicates blessing).

And make mention in the Book, of Ishmael. He was truthful in his pledge, and he was a Prophet bearing Our Message.

And make mention of Idris (Enoch) in the Book. Verily, he was a man of truth, a Prophet.

These are some of the Prophets whom Allah Blessed. They all were from the descendants of Adam, the early humans. The descendants of those whom We carried with Noah on the Ark, and the descendants of Abraham and Jacob, the Israel. We guided them and selected them (so that they could guide people). Whenever the Messages of the Most Gracious were conveyed to them, they would fall down prostrate in tears. (In total submission they put their hearts into their mission).

Except those who repent by returning to the right track, truly believe and take corrective action. Such will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least.

They will hear no insult to intelligence nor vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace. And therein they will have their sustenance day and night. (Likewise, in the Ideal Society no person will sleep hungry and there shall be plenty of provision for all).

And the angels say, "We, descend not but by the Command of your Lord. (Inspiration and optimism, motivation, courage, steadfastness, hope and good news are the angels of your Lord who support you when you walk aright). To Him belong our assignments of the past, present and future. Your Lord never does forget." (41:31)

Man (keeps thinking or) says, "What! When I am dead, shall I be raised up alive?"

So, by your Lord, without doubt, We shall certainly get them together including the rebellious ones; then We shall bring them crouching, around Hell.

And certainly We know best those who are more worthy of being burned therein.

And once again, We shall save the upright and leave the wrongdoers crouching in humiliation. (Those who walk aright will be kept so clear of hell that they won't even hear any commotion (21:102)).

And yet, how many a communities Our Law of Requital has annihilated before them. They were better in equipment and glitter.

Allah increases in Guidance, those who seek it and wish to walk aright. The lasting good deeds that fulfill the needs of others, are eternally rewarded by your Lord, and are best for eventual returns and better for resort.

Do they know the realm of the Unseen? Have they taken a promise from the Beneficent?

To Us shall return all that he talks of, and he shall appear before us in a lonely state.

But nay, they will reject their worship, and will turn against them.

So make no haste against them, for We mark the number of their days.

And drive the violators of human rights unto Hell as a thirsty herd is driven to a well,

As it is, some assert, "The Beneficent has betaken a son!"

Whereby almost the heavens are torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins!

It is not befitting for the Majesty of the Beneficent that He should choose a son.

Indeed, He fully knows them, and has counted them one by one.

Verily, those who attain belief and work for the good of others, the Beneficent will endow them with love.

For, how many a generation has Our Law of Requital destroyed before their time! Can you perceive a single one of them now or hear a whisper of them?