The realisation that dawned upon him ( Zachariah epiphany):

1. He was childless 2. Old age had overtaken him 3. His wife was deemed barren 4. None of his kinsfolk (Davidic line) was righteous.

Question:

Why ? Down to this very late hour of his life and then all of a sudden such a realization, this conscious awareness struck Zakariya ? What prompted his instant rush to plea with Allah?

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, there and then, realized that Mary was the chosen one.

That the advent of the Messiah at length last is at hand - the Lord thy God be praised.

That Mary was chosen and duly prepared by God to bring forth the Messiah.

Zakariya, surprisingly, was deeply troubled, violently taken aback.

Question:

But Zachariah aught to have been pleased. He should have welcomed the news of the Messiah's coming with a rejoicing heart in praise and glorification! Why was he disturbed?

Answer:

Because Mary was an Imranite of the Levitical tribe.

All the prophesies foretold that the Messiah will be of Davidic descent.

And Zachariah was the only Jewish survivor of righteous potency.

The Dilema:

He and his wife Elizabeth were beyond parenthood.

He was old, and Elizabeth was believed to be barren.

His Instinctive Reaction:

God's intervention was expedient!