Mary (Maryam)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Kaf- Ha-Ya-'Ain-Sad. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. 1 This is an account of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zechariah 2 When he called out to his Sustainer in the secrecy of his heart, 3 "Lord, my bones have weakened and my head has turned hoary with age, but never, Lord, have I been disappointed in my prayer to you: 4 But I fear my relatives after me; and my wife is barren. So grant me a successor as a favour from You 5 “He being my successor and the heir of the Descendants of Yaqub (Jacob); and my Lord, make him a cherished* one.” (* Make him a Prophet among the Descendants of Israel.) 6 (It was said unto him): O Zachariah! Lo! We bring thee tidings of a son whose name is John; We have given the same name to none before (him). 7 He said, "Lord, how can I have a son? My wife is barren and I have reached an extremely 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 He said, "My Lord, grant me a sign!" He said, "Your sign will be that you will not speak to anyone for three successive days and nights, although sound in body." 10 Thereupon he came out of the sanctuary unto his people and signified to them [by gestures]: "Extol His limitless glory by day and by night!" 11 O Yahya! take hold of the Book with strength, and We granted him wisdom while yet a child 12 And (made him) sympathetic to men as a mercy (or a grant) from Us, and pure from sins [i.e. Yahya (John)] and he was righteous, 13 and dutiful towards his parents and was not haughty or disobedient. 14 And peace be upon him the day he was born and the day he dies and the day he is raised alive. 15