Introduction of prayer:
This prayer refers to Sayyidna Zakariyya (as). Allah Kareem has mentioned his story in Surah Ali ‘Imran and Surah Maryam in detail.
Sayyidna Zakariyya (as) was one of the great prophets among Bani Israel. He was the trustee of Hekal (temple). He and his wife were symbols of righteousness and piety. His nation was not dedicated to act upon on the Shariah of Sayyidna Moses (as). They lacked in true spirit of faith in Allah. The Prophet Zakariyya (as) was much worried about the state of his nation. He had no offspring and there was no suitable person to hold the office of priesthood of Hekal after his death. He wanted to have a son to maintain the warmth of religious activities. He supplicated Allah Kareem for a son secretly, as mentioned in Surah Maryam, verse: 5,6;
وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا ٥ يَرِثُنِى وَيَرِثُ مِنْ ءَالِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَٱجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّۭا ٦
And I am concerned about ˹the faith of˺ my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So grant me, by Your grace, an heir, who will inherit ˹prophethood˺ from me and the family of Jacob, and make him, O Lord, pleasing ˹to You˺!
Allah Kareem bestowed His Mercy on His Messenger and responded him in the next verse, saying;
يَـٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَـٰمٍ ٱسْمُهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّۭا ٧
(His prayer was answered): “O Zakariya! We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be Yahya: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before.”(Surah Maryam: 7)
Exposition & virtues of prayer:
1- رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًۭا (My Lord! Do not leave me childless):
This is a very humble request of a Prophet (as) to His Lord Almighty. Sayyidna Zakariyya (as) called upon Allah Kareem secretly and spoke about his wish. He was desirous of having a son to become his good successor. He was conscious that he was in an advanced age and his wife was barren and unable to raise any issue. He had full faith in Allah Who possesses power to do whatever He wills. He requested Allah to grant him a son.
2- وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ (though You are the Best of Successors):
وَٰرِثِ Means, inheritor, to be an heir, survivor, to be the owner or sustainer after someone. ٱلْوَٰرِثِ Al-Warith is one of the blessed names of Allah Kareem. He is the one who will exist after all possessors disappear. He is also the originator (Al-Badi) and the creator (Al-Khaliq), so naturally, all things belong to Him. Allah Kareem mentioned His attribute of being the Inheritor in Surah Al-Qasas, verse: 58;
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَـٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَن مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
And how many populations We destroyed, which exulted in their life (of ease and plenty)! now those habitations of theirs, after them, are deserted,- All but a (miserable) few! and We are their heirs!
In an other verse Allah Kareem says;
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ نُحْىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثُونَ
And verily, it is We Who give life, and Who give death: it is We Who remain inheritors (after all else passes away). (Surah Al-Hijir: 23)
Here, we see that Sayyidna Zakariya (as) supplicated for a noble son who would be his inheritor and successor, and with due respect he states his true believe in Allah that the Eternal Inheritor is He Almighty. He creates all things and human beings when all things vanish they return to their Owner, the Eternal Inheritor.
By telling us the words of supplication of Sayyidna Zakariya (as) Allah Kareem wants us to let know the real believe of a prophet. Although Sayyidna Zakariyyah (as) requested for a son, which is a worldly blessing, he (as) declares his faith in Allah that He Almighty is the Eternal Inheritor, the Owner.
Allah Kareem responded his humble request and gave him good news about a son named “Yahya”. Sayyidna Yahaya (as) who became prophet after his father. Islamic tradition maintains that John was one of the prophets whom Muhammad met on the night of the Mi’raj.
All the believers who want to have a pious and noble son they should recite this prayer with deep faith and believe. Allah Kareem will respond them soon, InshaAllah.
