سُوْرَةُ مَرْيَمَ

Surah Maryam (19) — Ayah 10

Mary · Meccan · Juz 16 · Page 305

قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجْعَل لِّىٓ ءَايَةً ۚ قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَـٰثَ لَيَالٍ سَوِيًّا ﴿10﴾
[Zakariyyâ (Zachariah)] said: "My Lord! Appoint for me a sign." He said: "Your sign is that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect."
قَالَ qāla He said
رَبِّ rabbi My Lord
ٱجْعَل ij'ʿal Make
لِّىٓ for me
ءَايَةًۭ ۚ āyatan a sign
قَالَ qāla He said
ءَايَتُكَ āyatuka Your sign
أَلَّا allā (is) that not
تُكَلِّمَ tukallima you will speak
ٱلنَّاسَ l-nāsa (to) the people
ثَلَـٰثَ thalātha (for) three
لَيَالٍۢ layālin nights
سَوِيًّۭا sawiyyan sound

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

(Ayah 10) ➊ {قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ لِّيْۤ اٰيَةً:} That is, show me such a sign that in these circumstances, a boy is about to be born to us so that I may know about it beforehand.
{ قَالَ اٰيَتُكَ اَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ …: ’’ سَوِيًّا ‘‘} Healthy, with sound limbs, neither mute nor deaf. Here, three consecutive nights are mentioned, while in Surah Al-Imran, three days are mentioned, meaning the sign is that for three days and nights, while being perfectly healthy and sound, you will not be able to speak to people, then understand that conception has taken place. The tongue was restrained from speaking with people, not from the remembrance, glorification, and praise of Allah. See Surah Al-Imran (41).

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

10. 1. By "nights" is meant, day and night, and "سَوِیاًّ" means absolutely sound, healthy, that is, there will be no illness that would prevent you from speaking. But even then, if you are unable to speak with your tongue, then understand that the days of glad tidings are near.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

He said, "My Lord! Then grant me a sign." He (Allah) said, "Your sign [12] is that you will not be able to speak to people for three consecutive nights."

[12]
Sayyiduna Zakariyya (peace be upon him) Asking for a Sign of Conception:

That is, a sign by which it would be known that conception has now taken place. Thus, the sign was given that, despite your speech ability remaining intact, you will not be able to converse with people; however, your tongue will continue to move for the remembrance of Allah Almighty. So, when that time came, he became engaged in the remembrance of Allah at all times. And he instructed others by gesture to remain constantly engaged in the remembrance of Allah and to join him in expressing gratitude to Allah.