Zakariyya was an elderly prophet of Bani Israil, a carpenter by trade, entrusted with the care of young Maryam, who served in the temple. Each time he entered her chamber, he found provision that no one had brought, out-of-season fruit. Her explanation: “It is from God; God provides to whom He wills without reckoning.” (Quran 3:37).
Something kindled in the old man. He was white-haired, his wife barren, his bones weak, and right there, in that room, he prayed: “My Lord, bestow on me good offspring from Your presence” (3:38). The answer came while he was still standing in prayer: a son, Yahya, a name given to no one before, who would confirm a word from Allah and be a prophet among the righteous. His story opens Surah Maryam as the model of dua: hidden, humble, hopeful against every statistic.