Surah Al-Anbiyaa
Chapter 21 · Verse 90 · Revealed in Makkah
“So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Zakariyya and Yahya
Allah tells us of His servant Zakariyya, who asked Allah to grant him a son who would be a Prophet after him. The story has already been given in detail at the beginning of Surah Maryam and also in Surah `Imran. Here an abbreviated version is given.
إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
يَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا (and call Us with hope and fear - 21:90). This may be interpreted to mean that they call Allah Ta` ala both in comfort and distress. The other explanation of the verse is that during their prayers they remain suspended between hope and fear hoping that Allah would forgive their sins and fearing that their lapses may bring on them His displeasure.
What does this verse bring up for you today?