Mary (Maryam)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Kaf, Ha, Ya, 'Ayn, Sad. 1 This is the story of the blessing of your Lord to His servant Zachariah. 2 When he called out to his Sustainer in the secrecy of his heart, 3 saying: 'O my Lord, my bones are enfeebled, and my head glows silver with age. Yet, never Lord, have I been unblessed in prayer to You. 4 now I fear my kinsmen when I am gone. [I have no hope of their continuing my mission] for my wife is barren, so grant me a successor from Yourself, 5 to be my heir and to be the heir [of the blessings] of the House of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord, acceptable to you." 6 (Allah said) "O Zakariya (Zachariah)! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son, His name will be Yahya (John). We have given that name to none before (him)." 7 He said, 'O my Lord, how shall I have a son, seeing my wife is barren, and I have attained to the declining of old age?' 8 He answered: "So shall it be." Your Lord says: "It is easy for Me," and then added: "For beyond doubt, I created you earlier when you were nothing." 9 [Zachariah] prayed: "O my Sustainer! Appoint a sign for me!" Said [the angel]: "Thy sign shall be that for full three nights [and days] thou wilt not speak unto men". 10 So he came from the chamber to his people, and suggested to them (by signs) to sing the praises of the Lord morning and evening. 11 [Allah] said, "O John, take the Scripture with determination." And We gave him judgement [while yet] a boy 12 and tenderness from Us and purity, and he was cautious; 13 And was good to his parents and not forceful, nor disobedient. 14 So Peace on him the day he was born the day that he dies and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)! 15