Part 04: Page 06

History of the Chapter:
The title of this Surah is 'Mariam' Significantly, however, it opens with:

"(This is) a recital of the MERCY of thy Lord shown to His servant Zachariah".

Commentary # 2455 by Yusuf Ali:
'This is the only Surah which begins with these five abbreviated Arabic letters: Kaf, Ha, Ya, 'Ain, S.aad.

Preface by Muhammad Ali:
'It is quite certain that the most important portion of this chapter, viz., that relating to the history of Mary and Jesus , was revealed early at Mecca, most probably about the fifth year of the Prophet's mission.'

A Study of the first six verses

Zachariah's petition to Allah:

1. Kaf, Ha, Ya, 'Ain, S.aad. 2. A recital of the mercy of thy Lord to His servant Zakariya. 3. Behold! He cried to his Lord in secret. 4. Praying: 'O my Lord! Infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I unblest, O my Lord, in my prayer to Thee! 5. Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do) after me; and my wife is barren; so grant me a Waliya from Thyself' 6. (one that) will be (truly) my heir and the heir to the House of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord, one in whom Thou art well-pleased! Qur'an1 9: 1 - 6

Zachariah's Background: (a) Prophet over Bani Isra'el (6:86) (b) Jewish High Priest (c) Entrusted by God with the physical cu

Important to note:
His confession and supplication to Allah suggest that he was suddenly awakened to a realization so unbearable he could let it out only to his Lord.

Why?

The realisation overwhelmed by:

1. He was childless 2. Overtaken by old age 3. His wife was barren 4. Both were beyond parenthood 5. None of his kinsfolk (Jews) was righteous.

Question?
But why? Down to this very late hour of his life and then all of a sudden the realisation struck Zakariya? With such intensity!

Answer:
It was Mary's confession!

"'O Mary whence hast thou this?' She replied,

'It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives to whomsoever He pleases without measure.'"

Qur'an 3: 37

The Effect:
Zachariah realised that Mary was the chosen one The Messiah's coming was within sight - God be praised Mary was God's choice as mother for the Messiah Zachariah, surprisingly, was deeply perturbed!

Question:
But Zachariah aught to have been pleased. He should have welcomed the prospect with a rejoicing heart! Why was he disturbed?

Answer:
Because Mary was an Imranite of Levitical leanage. Prophesies foretold a Messiah of Davidic descent. He was the sole survivor of righteous Jewish potency. God would not revoke His promise of a Jewish Messiah Would God forsake or disown Israel for its iniquities?

What a calamity!

His reaction:
God's intervention was expedient!

Commentary# 1741 by Bashir Ahmad:
"The prayer of Zachariah possesses all the ingredients of a complete and successful prayer. A successful prayer should be offered with fervour and in humility. The supplicant should confess his own weakness and helplessness. He should have firm faith in the power of God to accept his prayers. Zachariah's prayer fulfills all these conditions."