The Devout Priest of Jerusalem
Zakariyya (Zechariah) was a righteous priest and Prophet who served in the sanctuary (Masjid al-Aqsa) in Jerusalem. He was responsible for the spiritual guidance of his people and was chosen as the guardian of Maryam (Mary), the mother of Isa. He was deeply impressed by Maryam's piety and how Allah provided for her miraculously; whenever he visited her in her private chamber, he found she had food that was not in season.
Seeing these miracles, Zakariyya, who was of extreme age and whose wife was barren, was inspired to ask for a child. He had no heir to continue the noble work of teaching the religion and feared the corruption of the relatives who would succeed him. He wanted a son not for worldly pride, but to be a 'successor to the family of Ya'qub' in faith.
The Answered Prayer and the Three Days of Silence
While standing in prayer in the sanctuary, angels visited Zakariyya and gave him the glad tidings of a son named Yahya. Zakariyya was astonished, asking how this could be possible given his age and his wife's condition. The angel replied with the foundational truth of miracles: 'Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, "It is easy for Me."'
As a sign to confirm the promise, Zakariyya was made unable to speak to people for three days and nights, except through gestures. He used this time of silence to intensify his praise and remembrance of Allah. Soon after, his wife became pregnant, and Yahya was born—a righteous Prophet from his very birth, proving that worldly limitations are nothing compared to the decree of Allah.
From the Holy Quran
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُن بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
"He said, 'My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy. And indeed, I fear the successors after me... so give me from Yourself an heir.'"
— Surah Maryam (4-5)